Proverbs 10:2 (Mini Sermon)

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1.      Pro 10:2 – “Treasures of wickedness profit nothing: but righteousness delivereth from death.”

1. Treasures of wickedness profit nothing:
   1. Treasure n. – 1. a. Wealth or riches stored or accumulated, esp. in the form of precious metals; gold or silver coin; hence in general, money, riches, wealth.
   2. “Treasures of wickedness” are riches that were gotten through sinful means such as fraud and violence (Psa 62:10; Mic 6:10-13).

• Wealth gotten by such means profits nothing.
  1. Profit v. – I. intr. To make progress; to advance, go forward; to improve, prosper, grow, increase (in some respect).
  2. A man may eat by means of ill-gotten gains, but he will not be satisfied (Mic 6:14a).
  3. A man that employs such methods to get wealth will be cast down by God (Mic 6:14b).
  4. He will take hold of things, but not be able to keep them (Mic 6:14c).
  5. That which he does take home will be stolen from him (Mic 6:14d).
  6. He will sow seed, but not reap a harvest (Mic 6:15a).
  7. If his crop does yield produce, he will not be allowed to enjoy it (Mic 6:15b).

1. The revenues of the wicked bring them trouble, not profit (Pro 15:6).
2. Rich men think that their wealth will protect them (Pro 18:11).
   1. But riches will not save men; they will die like everyone else (Psa 49:6-12).
   2. In fact, those who trust in their riches will sometimes die early as a result (Luk 12:16-21).
   3. The LORD will destroy the wicked who acquired their wealth unlawfully and trust in their riches (Psa 52:1-7).
3. Even gold and silver will not deliver a man from the wrath to come (Pro 11:4; Eze 7:19; Zep 1:18; Jam 5:1-3).

• The wealth of evil men is laid up for the just (Pro 13:22).

1. but righteousness delivereth from death.
   1. The treasures of wickedness are contrasted with righteousness in this verse.
   2. Whereas riches gotten by evil means will not profit nor deliver a man in the day of wrath, righteousness will (Pro 11:4).

• The righteous who fear and trust God will be delivered from death and kept alive in famine (Psa 33:18-22).

1. Those who trust in their riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish (Pro 11:28).
2. Rather than grasping at the treasures of wickedness, the righteous lay hold on Christ, “In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Col 2:3).
3. Those who seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness (Mat 6:33) will not be destroyed like the wicked who trust in their riches (Psa 52:5-7), but will be like a green olive tree flourishing in the house of God (Psa 52:8-9).