Proverbs 13: Choices That Shape Our Lives

Proverbs 23:4-5

Do not weary yourself to gain wealth;
Stop dwelling on it.
When you set your eyes on it, it is gone.
For wealth certainly makes itself wings
Like an eagle that flies toward the heavens.

Never chase riches at the expense of personal development—because riches will outrun you and disappear.

A. Contrasting Responses to Discipline or Direction.

Proverbs 13:1

A wise son accepts his father’s discipline,
But a scoffer does not listen to rebuke.

B. Contrasting Appetites

Proverbs 13:2

From the fruit of a person’s mouth he enjoys good,
But the desire of the treacherous is violence.

C. Contrasting Consequences in Speech

Proverbs 13:3

The one who guards his mouth preserves his life;
The one who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.

D. Contrasting Work Ethics

Proverbs 13:4

The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing,
but the soul of the diligent is made prosperous.

Diligence turns intention into impact.

E. Contrasting Paths & Consequences

Proverbs 13:5-6

A righteous man hates lying, but a wicked man is loathsome and comes to shame.
Righteousness guards him whose way is blameless,
but wickedness overthrows the sinner.

F. Wealth, Poverty, & Contentment

Proverbs 13:7-11

There is one who pretends to be rich but has nothing;
another pretends to be poor but has great wealth.

Proverbs 13:8

The ransome of a person’s life is his wealth,
but the poor hears no rebuke.

G. Consequences of Righteous vs. Wicked Behavior

Proverbs 13:9

The light of the righteous rejoices,
but the lamp of the wicked goes out.

H. Sow wise counsel, reap strong decisions

Proverbs 13:10

Through over confidence comes nothing but strife,
but wisdom is with those who receive counsel.

I. Avoid Get-Rich-Quick Schemes

Proverbs 13:11

Wealth obtained from nothing dwindles,
but one who gathers by labor increases it.