There is a fundamental law in business, it’s called integrity. The Lord detests dishonest scales, Leviticus 19:35-36 / Deuteronomy 25:13-16. There are so many ways to cheat, but it really pleases God when we are honest, Amos 2:6 / Amos 8:5.
A dishonourable person is a disgraceful person; a humble person is a reasonable, disciplined individual. Pride is almost certainly going to lead to disaster, but humility, which is the opposite of pride, has the benefit of wisdom, thus success, Micah 6:8 / James 4:6 / 1 Peter 5:5.
The course of our life is determined by the nature of our inner self, what we are; this will determine what will happen to us. God really does not care about how much we have accumulated, but He will judge us based on how we live our lives, Luke 12:33-34. The reference to death here probably refers to premature death. The point in these verses is that righteousness can deliver us from anything, Ezekiel 7:19.
What hope does the wicked have in the afterlife? The wicked have no hope of anything beyond the grave, and the wicked receive trouble instead of blessings, Hebrews 9:27.
Clarke, in his commentary, says the following.
‘Often God makes this distinction; in public calamities and in sudden accidents, he rescues the righteous, and leaves the wicked, who has filled up the measure of his iniquities, to be seized by the hand of death. Justice, then, does its own work; for mercy has been rejected.’
Have you ever been on the receiving end of verbal abuse? Solomon says the wicked use their mouth for verbal assassination. If we do not watch our mouths and what we say, we are godless, James 3:1-12.
Unfortunately, not many people rejoice when someone prospers, nor are there many shouts of joy when the wicked perish; in fact, it seems to be rarely true today.
Poole, in his commentary, says the following.
‘When such men are encouraged and advanced into places of power and trust, the city rejoiceth; the citizens or subjects of that government rejoice, because they confidently expect justice and tranquility, and many other benefits, by their administration of public affairs.’
Have you ever been told gossip by others? How does that make you feel? Why do people gossip in the first place? The wisdom teachers were also concerned with the influence on the community, and they controlled themselves by not saying what they thought. The trustworthy man is not a gossip; he does not speak about confidential matters, and he is dependable.
Clarke, in his commentary, says the following about the gossip.
‘Whatever was confided to him, he is sure to publish abroad. The word means a hawker, or travelling chapman. Such are always great newsmongers, and will tell even their own secrets, rather than have nothing to say.’
When decisions are being made, those in a group are likely to be more successful. A wise man refrains from business deals with strangers. The word ‘violent’ could mean energetic and strong, and the contrast between the gossip and the trustworthy person may be the two ways of obtaining success.
Perhaps this means that ruthlessness is not the only way to be successful. In addition to Proverbs 11:16, Proverbs 11:17 depicts the entire story of violence and cruelty, Joshua 7:25-26 / Matthew 5:7.
These verses compare the righteous with the wicked. If we ‘sow’ righteousness, we will not have a crop failure. God guarantees success! Galatians 6:8-9. Being kind to others will be rewarding, and others will respect you for your kindness. The wicked only cause themselves pain; they may receive some money, but it’s not a real benefit because they can’t take it with them when their life is over.
The word ‘perverse’ here means stubborn. Evil will be punished, either in this world or the next, Ephesians 4:19. The word ‘discretion’ means discrimination, good taste, Exodus 16:31 / 1 Samuel 25:33 / Psalm 119:66. The righteous desire nothing but good, and their desires will be fulfilled; however, the wicked will have nothing else to hope for, Romans 2:8-9.
These are the economic facts of life: the person who hoards will find themselves in poverty, but the one who invests will make money, 2 Corinthians 9:6-13 / 1 Timothy 6:17.
Are you a hoarder? What things do you like to keep hold of? Are you an investor? What kind of things or people do you invest in? Mismanagement of money will destroy a family.
Solomon says anyone who manages money badly will end up serving the wise man, who is the person who knows how to handle money, Genesis 33:11 / 1 Samuel 25:27 / 2 Corinthians 9:5. It seems to mean the wise save people from physical and spiritual disaster, Deuteronomy 4:29 / Matthew 7:7 / Acts 20:35 / James 5:20.
Note that the Septuagint, Syrian, and Arabic read Proverbs 11:30 as follows: ‘And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?’ 1 Peter 4:18. And all will be ‘rewarded’, each person will get what they deserve, Joshua 7:26 / 1 Samuel 25:17 / 1 Samuel 25:33 / 1 Peter 4:18.
Henry, in his commentary, says the following.
‘Even the righteous, when they offend on earth, shall meet with sharp corrections; much more will the wicked meet the due reward of their sins. Let us then seek those blessings which our Surety purchased by his sufferings and death; let us seek to copy his example, and to keep his commandments.’