Bridges on Proverbs 10:22
 
 
Charles Bridges on Proverbs 10:22
 
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22.  The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.
 
We have been told (Verse 4), that the hand of the diligent — here we see that the blessing of the LORD — maketh rich. Both are consistent. The one marks the primary, the other the instrumental and subordinate, cause. Neither will be effective without the other. The sluggard looks for prosperity without diligence; the practical atheist from diligence alone; the sound-hearted Christian from the blessing of God in the exercise of diligence. This wise combination keeps him in an active habit; humble, and dependent on God. (John 6:27.) For “except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it. The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong.” (Psalm 127:1. Ecclesiastes 9:11.) The rich then may receive their portion (Ecclesiastes 2:24-26; 3:13; 5:18-20) as the blessing of the LORD (Genesis 24:35; 26:12. 1 Chronicles 29:14. Deuteronomy 8:17, 18); carefully using it as a talent for his service (Luke 19:13), and for the good of their fellow-creatures. (1 Timothy 6:17, 18.) The poor may enjoy the same enriching blessing in the “gain of godly contentment.” (Ib. Verse 6.) Their cottage is a palace, as the habitation of the King of kings; and neither life nor death, neither time nor eternity, can separate them from their God. (Romans 8:38, 39.)
The blessing of the LORD moreover hath this prerogative. He addeth no sorrow with it; at least no sorrow, but what turns to a blessing. Accumulation of riches may be the accumulation of sorrows. (Chapter 20:21; 28:22. 1 Timothy 6:9, 10.) Lot's covetous choice was fraught with bitterness. (Genesis 13:10, 11; 14:12; 19:15. 2 Peter 2:8.) Ahab wore a crown, and “lay sick on his bed” in discontent. (1 Kings 21:4.) Gehazi was laden with his bags; but the plague of leprosy was on him. (2 Kings 5:27.) Haman's mortification was the canker in his boasted glory. (Esther 5:13.) The rich youth's rejection of Christ was the source of present — must we not fear? — everlasting sorrow. (Luke 18:23.) The worldling's recompense for his daily toil is “eating the bread of sorrows. So” — mark the striking contrast — “he giveth his beloved sleep.” (Psalm 127:2. Ecclesiastes 2:26; 5:12.) Happy portion of the children of God! They “know both how to be abased, and they know how to abound.” (Philippians 4:12.) “All things are theirs.” (1 Corinthians 3:21.) “Thy blessing is upon thy people.” (Psalm 3:8.)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Proverbs 10:4
4 ¶ He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.
 
 
John 6:27
27 Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed. {Labour not: or, Work not}
 
 
Psalm 127:1
1 ¶ {A Song of degrees for Solomon.} Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain. {for...: or, of Solomon} {that...: Heb. that are builders of it in it}
 
Ecclesiastes 9:11
11 ¶ I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.
 
 
Ecclesiastes 2:24-26
24 There is nothing better for a man, than that he should eat and drink, and that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labour. This also I saw, that it was from the hand of God. {should make...: or, delight his senses} 25 For who can eat, or who else can hasten hereunto, more than I? 26 For God giveth to a man that is good in his sight wisdom, and knowledge, and joy: but to the sinner he giveth travail, to gather and to heap up, that he may give to him that is good before God. This also is vanity and vexation of spirit. {in his...: Heb. before him}
 
Ecclesiastes 3:13
13 And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God.
 
Ecclesiastes 5:18-20
18 ¶ Behold that which I have seen: it is good and comely for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labour that he taketh under the sun all the days of his life, which God giveth him: for it is his portion. {It is good...: Heb. there is a good which is comely, etc} {all the days: Heb. the number of the days} 19 Every man also to whom God hath given riches and wealth, and hath given him power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labour; this is the gift of God. 20 For he shall not much remember the days of his life; because God answereth him in the joy of his heart. {For...: or, Though he give not much, yet he remembereth, etc}
 
 
Genesis 24:35
35 And the LORD hath blessed my master greatly; and he is become great: and he hath given him flocks, and herds, and silver, and gold, and menservants, and maidservants, and camels, and asses.
 
Genesis 26:12
12 ¶ Then Isaac sowed in that land, and received in the same year an hundredfold: and the LORD blessed him. {received: Heb. found}
 
1 Chronicles 29:14
14 But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee. {be able: Heb. retain, or, obtain strength} {of thine...: Heb. of thine hand}
 
Deuteronomy 8:17, 18
17 And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth. 18 But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.
 
 
Luke 19:13
13 And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come. {pounds: mina, here translated a pound, is twelve ounces and an half: which according to five shillings the ounce is three pounds two shillings and sixpence}
 
 
1 Timothy 6:17, 18
17 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; {uncertain...: Gr. uncertainty of riches} 18 That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; {willing...: or, sociable}
 
 
1 Timothy 6:6
6 ¶ But godliness with contentment is great gain.
 
 
Romans 8:38, 39
38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
 
 
Proverbs 20:21
21 ¶ An inheritance may be gotten hastily at the beginning; but the end thereof shall not be blessed.
 
Proverbs 28:22
22 ¶ He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him. {hasteth...: or, hath and evil eye hasteth to be rich}
 
1 Timothy 6:9, 10
9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. {erred: or, been seduced}
 
 
Genesis 13:10, 11
10 ¶ And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where, before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar. 11 Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan; and Lot journeyed east: and they separated themselves the one from the other.
 
Genesis 14:12
12 And they took Lot, Abram's brother's son, who dwelt in Sodom, and his goods, and departed.
 
Genesis 19:15
15 ¶ And when the morning arose, then the angels hastened Lot, saying, Arise, take thy wife, and thy two daughters, which are here; lest thou be consumed in the iniquity of the city. {are here: Heb. are found} {iniquity: or, punishment}
 
2 Peter 2:8
8 (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;)
 
 
1 Kings 21:4
4 And Ahab came into his house heavy and displeased because of the word which Naboth the Jezreelite had spoken to him: for he had said, I will not give thee the inheritance of my fathers. And he laid him down upon his bed, and turned away his face, and would eat no bread.
 
 
2 Kings 5:27
27 The leprosy therefore of Naaman shall cleave unto thee, and unto thy seed for ever. And he went out from his presence a leper as white as snow.
 
 
Esther 5:13
13 Yet all this availeth me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king's gate.
 
 
Luke 18:23
23 And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich.
 
 
Psalm 127:2
2 It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.
 
Ecclesiastes 2:26
26 For God giveth to a man that is good in his sight wisdom, and knowledge, and joy: but to the sinner he giveth travail, to gather and to heap up, that he may give to him that is good before God. This also is vanity and vexation of spirit. {in his...: Heb. before him}
 
Ecclesiastes 5:12
12 The sleep of a labouring man is sweet, whether he eat little or much: but the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep.
 
 
Philippians 4:12
12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
 
 
1 Corinthians 3:21
21 ¶ Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours;
 
 
Psalm 3:8
8 Salvation belongeth unto the LORD: thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah.