Proverbs 11 - The Righteous And Wicked Compared Series

19 He who is steadfast in righteousness will attain to life, And he who pursues evil will bring about his own death. Proverbs 11:19 (NASB)

The path you take determines the destination. Be careful as to which path you are on.

20 The perverse in heart are an abomination to the Lord, But the blameless in their walk are His delight. Proverbs 11:20 (NASB)

It is important for us to know what the Lord loves and what He hates – for then we can order our ways.

21 Assuredly, the evil man will not go unpunished, But the descendants of the righteous will be delivered. Proverbs 11:21 (NASB)

On this verse we have a variety of translations. The King James Version says:

“Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered.” Proverbs 11:21 (KJV)

The verse speaks true – the wicked will not go unpunished nor will the righteous go undelivered.

22 As a ring of gold in a swine's snout So is a beautiful woman who lacks discretion. Proverbs 11:22 (NASB)

Not everyone who looks good is pleasant to live with or to work with. While taking care of outer beauty is not a bad thing – inner beauty is much more important.

23 The desire of the righteous is only good, But the expectation of the wicked is wrath. Proverbs 11:23 (NASB)

Let us remember that there are none righteous (Romans 3:10) – but if your heart hates sin – you are on the right path. Our desire should always be – to do that which is good in God’s sight.

24 There is one who scatters, and yet increases all the more, And there is one who withholds what is justly due, and yet it results only in want. 25 The generous man will be prosperous, And he who waters will himself be watered. Proverbs 11:24-25 (NASB)

These two verses present a paradox: We become richer by being generous. The world says in order to be rich we must hold on to as much as possible – but God blesses those who freely give of their possessions, time, and energy. When we give, God supplies us with more so that we can give more. In addition, giving helps us gain a right perspective on our possessions. We realize they were never really ours to begin with – they were given by God to be used to help others. What then do we gain by giving? Freedom from enslavement to our possessions, the joy of helping others, and God's approval. Jesus said:

"Whoever seeks to keep his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it.” Luke 17:33 (NASB)

Heavenly economy is not like that of the world.

26 He who withholds grain, the people will curse him, But blessing will be on the head of him who sells it. Proverbs 11:26 (NASB)

Hoarding has never been encouraged in the Bible – but wise business transactions have. There is nothing wrong with making a profit – but to take advantage of the poor or cheating people is sinful.

27 He who diligently seeks good seeks favor, But he who seeks evil, evil will come to him. Proverbs 11:27 (NASB)

Two things are present in this verse.