Proverbs 10:1-2 (ESV)
1 “The proverbs of Solomon.
A wise son makes a glad father,
but a foolish son is a sorrow to his mother.
2 Treasures gained by wickedness do not profit,
but righteousness delivers from death.”
With these words, the book begins a new section. Proverbs 1:1 introduced Solomon as the author, and now Proverbs 10:1 opens the second major collection. The long fatherly speeches of chapters 1 through 9 now give way to short, weighty sayings. Like Proverbs 1:8, both parents are included. “A wise son makes a glad father.” The child who receives instruction, submits to correction, and walks in wisdom brings joy to those who raised him. He honors the labor, prayers, sacrifice, and teaching invested in him. In a greater sense, those who walk in wisdom also please the Lord. Colossians 1:10 says we are to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him.
“But a foolish son is a sorrow to his mother.” This assumes a godly mother who longs for her child’s good. A mother gives of herself repeatedly so her children might flourish. She teaches, serves, prays, corrects, and often carries burdens no one sees. What grief comes when a child rejects wisdom and chooses sin. His choices wound not only himself, but those who love him most. Ephesians 4:30 reminds us that sin also grieves the Holy Spirit. Our actions are never isolated. Wisdom blesses others. Folly harms many.
“Treasures gained by wickedness do not profit.” Wealth gained through dishonesty, manipulation, greed, or sinful compromise may appear useful for a moment, but it has no lasting value. Money cannot calm a guilty conscience, restore a broken soul, or rescue anyone from judgment. 1 Timothy 6:9 warns that those who desire to be rich fall into many harmful snares.
“But righteousness delivers from death.” The Hebrew word translated righteousness is tsedaqah. It carries the idea of justice, integrity, and living according to God’s standard. Those who walk uprightly and use what they have for good show that their trust is in God, not riches. Wealth can serve for a season, but righteousness has eternal value. Though salvation comes only through Christ, the righteous life reveals true faith and leads away from the path of destruction.
Although money may buy comfort now, it will be useless in the life to come. Not one woman can purchase peace with God or escape judgment through wealth. The question is not how much you have, but how you manage what God has entrusted to you. Some may be tight fisted by hoarding, living only for upgrades, refusing to help when able, endlessly spending on self, or resenting the needs of others. Let your security rest in the Lord, and let the way you use your resources reflect that trust.