Summary: Scripture on stewardship and being a faithful steward taken from the Book of Proverbs.

Truth Wealth

“Happy are those who find wisdom, and those who get understanding, for her income is better than silver, and her revenue better than gold. She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her.” 3:13-15

“Take my instruction instead of silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold; for wisdom is better than jewels, and all that you may desire cannot compare with her.” 8:10-11

“Riches and honor are with me, enduring wealth and prosperity.” 8:18

“My fruit is better than gold, even fine gold, and my yield than choice silver.” 8:19

“I walk in the way of righteousness, along the paths of justice,

endowing with wealth those who love me, and filling their treasuries.” 8:20-21

Wisdom and Character

“Treasures gained by wickedness do not profit, but righteousness delivers from death.” 10:2

“A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich.” 10:4

“The wicked are overthrown by their evildoing, but the righteous find a refuge in their integrity.” 14:32

“Those who are attentive to a matter will prosper, and happy are those who trust in the Lord.” 16:20

“Wisdom is at home in the mind of one who has understanding, but it is not known in the heart of fools.” 14:33

“The wise are cautious and turn away from evil, but the fool throws off restraint and is careless.” 14:16

“Those who oppress the poor insult their Maker, but those who are kind to the needy honor him.” 14:31

“The human mind plans the way, but the Lord directs the steps.” 16:8

A Word to the Wise Steward

“Better to be poor and walk in integrity than to be crooked in one’s ways even though rich.” 28:6

“Know well the condition of your flocks, and give attention to your herds: for riches do not last forever, nor a crown for all generations.” 27:23-24

“When the grass is gone, and new growth appears, and the herbage of the mountains is gathered, the lambs will provide your clothing, and the goats the price of a field; there will be enough goats milk for your food, for the food of your household and nourishment for your servant-girls.” 25-27

“Wealth hastily gotten will dwindle, but those who gather little by little will increase it.” 13:11

“Do not wear yourself out to get rich; be wise enough to desist. When your eyes light upon it, it is gone; for suddenly it takes wings to itself, flying like an eagle toward heaven. 23:4-5

“A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold. The rich and the poor have this in common: the Lord is the maker of them all. 22:1-2

Wisdom personified: living stewardship1

“Who can find a virtuous and capable wife?

She is more precious than rubies.

Her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life.

She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.

She finds wool and flax and busily spins it.

She is like a merchant’s ship, bringing her food from afar.

She gets up before dawn to prepare breakfast for her household and plan the day’s work for her servant girls.

She goes to inspect a field and buys it; with her earnings she plants a vineyard.

She is energetic and strong, a hard worker.

She makes sure her dealings are profitable; her lamp burns late into the night.

Her hands are busy spinning thread, her fingers twisting fiber.

She extends a helping hand to the poor and opens her arms to the needy.

She has no fear of winter for her household, for everyone has warm clothes.

She makes her own bedspreads. She dresses in fine linen and purple gowns.

Her husband is well known at the city gates, where he sits with the other civic leaders.

She makes belted linen garments and sashes to sell to the merchants.

She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.

When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness.

She carefully watches everything in her household and suffers nothing from laziness.

Her children stand and bless her.

Her husband praises her: ‘There are many virtuous and capable women in the world, but you surpass them all!’

Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised.

Reward her for all she has done. Let her deeds publicly declare her praise.” 30:10-31

Scripture taken from the New Living Translation (NLT) Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers.

This tool is available as a PowerPoint resource that can be downloaded from our website at www.AdventistStewardship.com. Suggested ideas: offering time, small group discussion, transitional periods in church services.

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1An acrostic poem about the capable (valiant, strong) woman (wife). Each of its 22 verses begins with one of the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet, in order. Woman is the humanized counterpart of personified Wisdom, whose efforts are those of human women; but the combination is one that no human being can maintain. A woman who fears the LORD is literally: “a woman, fear of the LORD.” This may symbolize the realization that fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom. The New Interpreter’s® Study Bible New Revised Standard Version, p. 926. Abingdon Press, Nashville, Tennessee.

The Book of Proverbs begins with the command to fear the LORD (1:7) and ends with the picture of a woman who fulfills this command. Her qualities are mentioned throughout the book: hard work, fear of God, respect for spouse, foresight, encouragement, care for others, concern for the poor, wisdom in handling money. These qualities, when coupled with fear of God, lead to enjoyment, success, honor, and worth. Proverbs is very practical for our day because it shows us how to become wise, make good decisions, and live according to God’s ideal. Life Application Study Bible, p. 1132. Tyndale House Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois.