Proverbs 11:24-31 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 11:24

Note, 1. It is possible a man may grow rich by prudently spending what he has, may scatter in works of piety, charity, and generosity, and yet may increase; nay, by that means may increase, as the corn is increased by being sown. By cheerfully using what we have our spirits are exhilarated, and so fitted for the business we have to do, by minding which closely what we have is increased; it gains a reputation which contributes to the increase. But it is especially to be ascribed to God; he... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 11:25

So backward we are to works of charity, and so ready to think that giving undoes us, that we need to have it very much pressed upon us how much it is for our own advantage to do good to others, as before, Prov. 11:17. 1. We shall have the comfort of it in our own bosoms: The liberal soul, the soul of blessing, that prays for the afflicted and provides for them, that scatters blessings with gracious lips and generous hands, that soul shall be made fat with true pleasure and enriched with more... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 11:26

See here, 1. What use we are to make of the gifts of God's bounty; we must not hoard them up merely for our own advantage, that we may be enriched by them, but we must bring them forth for the benefit of others, that they may be supported and maintained by them. It is a sin, when corn is dear and scarce, to withhold it, in hopes that it will still grow dearer, so to keep up and advance the market, when it is already so high that the poor suffer by it; and at such a time it is the duty of those... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 11:27

Observe, 1. Those that are industrious to do good in the world get themselves beloved both with God and man: He that rises early to that which is good (so the word is), that seeks opportunities of serving his friends and relieving the poor, and lays out himself therein, procures favour. All about him love him, and speak well of him, and will be ready to do him a kindness; and, which is better than that, better than life, he has God's lovingkindness. 2. Those that are industrious to do mischief... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 11:28

Observe, 1. Our riches will fail us when we are in the greatest need: He that trusts in them, as if they would secure him the favour of God and be his protection and portion, shall fall, as a man who lays his weight on a broken reed, which will not only disappoint him, but run into his hand and pierce him. 2. Our righteousness will stand us in stead when our riches fail us: The righteous shall then flourish as a branch, the branch of righteousness, like a tree whose leaf shall not wither, Ps.... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 11:29

Two extremes in the management of family-affairs are here condemned and the ill consequences of them foretold:?1. Carefulness and carnal policy, on the one hand. There are those that by their extreme earnestness in pursuit of the world, their anxiety about their business and fretfulness about their losses, their strictness with their servants and their niggardliness towards their families, trouble their own houses and give continual vexation to all about them; while others think, by supporting... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 11:30

This shows what great blessings good men are, especially those that are eminently wise, to the places where they live, and therefore how much to be valued. 1. The righteous are as trees of life; the fruits of their piety and charity, their instructions, reproofs, examples, and prayers, their interest in heaven, and their influence upon earth, are like the fruits of that tree, precious and useful, contributing to the support and nourishment of the spiritual life in many; they are the ornaments... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 11:31

This, I think, is the only one of Solomon's proverbs that has that note of attention prefixed to it, Behold! which intimates that it contains not only an evident truth, which may be beheld, but an eminent truth, which must be considered. 1. Some understand both parts of a recompence in displeasure: The righteous, if they do amiss, shall be punished for their offences in this world; much more shall wicked people be punished for theirs, which are committed, not through infirmity, but with a high... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 11:24

There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth ,.... That scattereth "his own", as the Septuagint, Vulgate Latin, Syriac, and Arabic versions add: that disperses his money here and there, among many poor objects, plentifully and liberally; and his substance is so far from being lessened by such a conduct, that, by the blessing of God, it is increased more and more; or "become richer", as the Vulgate Latin; see Psalm 112:9 . So he that disperses and dispenses the word of God, and spreads the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 11:25

The liberal soul shall be made fat ,.... Or, "the soul of blessing" F3 נפש ברכה "anima benedictionis", Montanus, Baynus, Cocceius, Michaelis; "anima benedictioni dedita", Schultens. : that is, as the Vulgate Latin version renders it, "the soul which blesseth"; not that merely prays for a blessing upon others, and wishes them well, and gives them good words; but bestows blessings on them, gives good things unto them liberally, cheerfully, and plentifully; and so is a blessing to the... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 11:24

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 11:25

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 11:26

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 11:27

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 11:28

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 11:29

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 11:30

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 11:31

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 11:24

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 11:25

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