Proverbs 8:21 (Mini Sermon)

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1.      Pro 8:21 – “That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures.”

1. That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance;
   1. “I” in this passage is wisdom personified (Pro 8:1, 12).
   2. This verse begins with the conjunction “that” which links it to the previous verse which is part of the same sentence (Pro 8:20).

• That conj. – II. 2. Introducing a clause expressing the cause, ground, or reason of what is stated in the principal clause.  4. Introducing a clause expressing the result or consequence of what is stated in the principal clause: with verb usually in indicative.
  1. Therefore, wisdom leads in the way of righteousness in the midst of the paths of judgment in order to cause those that love her to inherit substance.
  2. In others words, if those who love wisdom follow her in the midst of the paths of judgment in the way of righteousness, they will inherit substance.

1. Inherit v. – 1. trans. To make heir, put in possession, cause to inherit (lit. and fig.). Obs. (Cf. disinherit.) trans. To take or receive (property, esp. real property, or a right, privilege, rank, or title) as the heir of the former possessor (usually an ancestor), at his decease; to get, or come into possession of, by legal descent or succession.   3. transf. To come into possession of, as one’s right or divinely assigned portion; to receive, obtain, have, or hold as one’s portion. (Chiefly in biblical and derived uses: see inheritance 4, heir 2.)
2. Substance n. – 16. a. Possessions, goods, estate; means, wealth. arch. (chiefly as a reminiscence of biblical language).
3. Substance is wealth, goods, or possessions (Pro 3:9; Luk 15:13).

• Those who love wisdom inherit substance from God who owns all things and gives it to whomever He chooses (Psa 24:1).
  1. God makes those rich whom He chooses to (1Sa 2:7; Pro 10:22).
  2. God gives His children power to get wealth (Deut 8:18).
  3. One of the ways He does so is by teaching them in His word how to acquire and retain wealth.
  4. To cause His children who love Him to inherit substance God teaches them to:
     • Give the firstfruits of all their income to God (Pro 3:9-10).
     • Work hard (Pro 10:4; Pro 13:4; Pro 14:23).
     • Don’t waste (Pro 12:27).
     • Under-consume and save money (Pro 21:17, 20).
     • Stay out of debt (Pro 22:7).
     • Don’t make foolish investments (Pro 28:19).
     • Put their money to work through trading and investing wisely (Mat 25:16, 20-21; Luk 19:15-17).
  5. and I will fill their treasures.
     1. When God’s children love wisdom and follow her lead which she shows them in the word of God, she will fill their treasures (Pro 21:20; Pro 15:6).
     2. When God fills your treasures, make sure you are rich toward Him, or He will take it away (Luk 12:16-21).

• While it is true that God will give wealth to His wise and faithful people when He chooses to, remember the following.
  1. God’s faithful children are sometimes poor (Jam 2:5).
     • Being poor is fine if it is due to no fault of your own.
     • Being poor is shameful if it is due to foolish living.
  2. Don’t make it your goal in life to get rich (1Ti 6:9).
  3. If we are wise we will ask for neither poverty nor riches, but only enough to have our needs met so that we can live comfortably (Pro 30:7-9).
  4. It’s more important to lay up treasures in heaven than on earth (Luk 12:33-34).
  5. It’s more important to make a difference than a fortune.