Commentary - Proverbs 13:22

Bird's-eye view

Proverbs 13:22 presents a foundational principle of biblical economics and covenantal faithfulness, neatly packaged in two parallel clauses. The first part establishes the positive standard: a good man thinks generationally. His labor, wisdom, and stewardship are not for his own fleeting benefit but are aimed at establishing a lasting legacy for his grandchildren. This is the principle of covenant succession in tangible, material form. The second part of the proverb provides the inverse reality, which is also a glorious promise. The wealth that sinners accumulate through their vanity, rebellion, and short-sighted greed is not ultimately theirs. God, in His sovereignty, has other plans for it. It is a temporary holding account, and the final beneficiary will be the righteous. This proverb is therefore a statement of immense hope, grounding the believer's long-term work in the assurance of God's providential justice, which will inevitably reward righteousness and disinherit wickedness.

This is not a "get rich quick" formula, nor is it a promise that every godly grandfather will leave a fortune. Like all proverbs, it describes the way the world is designed to work under God's blessing and curse. It teaches a long-term, optimistic, and dominion-oriented worldview. The righteous build, and what they build lasts. The wicked grasp, and what they grasp will ultimately be given to those who build. It is a call to patient, faithful labor and a profound encouragement that in the grand sweep of history, God ensures that the meek, not the proud, will inherit the earth.

Outline

Context In Proverbs

This proverb sits within a book dedicated to imparting practical wisdom for living skillfully in God's world. The book of Proverbs consistently contrasts the way of the wise and righteous with the way of the fool and the wicked. A recurring theme is that righteousness leads to life, stability, and blessing, while wickedness leads to ruin, chaos, and judgment. Proverbs 13:22 fits squarely within this framework. It follows verses that contrast diligence and sloth, truth and lies, and wisdom and folly. The proverb applies this overarching contrast to the specific area of wealth and legacy. It is not an isolated statement but part of a larger tapestry that illustrates how a life lived in the fear of the Lord produces tangible, lasting, and multi-generational fruit, while a life of rebellion, however prosperous it may seem in the short term, is ultimately building on sand.

Key Issues

The Long Defeat of the Wicked

One of the central temptations for the righteous in any generation is to grow discouraged by the apparent prosperity of the wicked. They see the ungodly flaunting their wealth, building their empires, and living as though God does not exist, and it can seem as though folly is winning. But Scripture consistently teaches us to take the long view. Asaph was troubled by this very thing until he went into the sanctuary of God and understood their end (Psalm 73). Proverbs 13:22 is a potent dose of that same sanctuary wisdom.

The second half of this verse is not just a moralistic platitude; it is a statement of divine policy. God has a plan for the sinner's 401(k). The wealth accumulated by those who hate God is being "stored up" or "laid up." Think of it as being held in escrow. The sinner may think he is gathering it for himself, for his own pleasure and his own short-sighted dynasty, but God is the ultimate trustee of all assets. In His perfect timing, He will execute a transfer of that wealth to its rightful heirs: the just. This is not a call for the righteous to sit back and wait for a handout. It is a promise that as the righteous work, build, and obey, God will providentially arrange circumstances so that the resources of the kingdom of darkness are plundered and repurposed for the kingdom of His dear Son. This is a foundational principle for a robust, optimistic, and victorious eschatology. History is headed somewhere, and it is the story of the meek inheriting the earth.

Verse by Verse Commentary

22a A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children,

The proverb begins by defining what a good man does with his material substance. Notice the horizon. It is not his children, but his children's children. This immediately lifts our gaze from the short-term individualism that plagues modern thinking. The biblical mindset is dynastic. A good man, a man who fears God and walks in wisdom, understands that his life is one link in a long covenantal chain. He works, saves, and builds not just for his own comfort or retirement, but to provide a foundation for future generations. This inheritance is more than just money; it includes land, property, a good name, and most importantly, a legacy of faith and wisdom. But the proverb is not squeamish about the material aspect. Providing financially for your grandchildren is a godly ambition. It is an act of faith, demonstrating a belief that God will be faithful to His covenant promises to a thousand generations. It is also an act of dominion, equipping the next generation to be more effective in their calling to build Christ's kingdom.

22b And the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous.

This second clause is the great engine of hope in the verse. What about the wicked? They are also accumulating wealth, often with great energy and ruthlessness. What is the end of all their striving? The Bible tells us it is being gathered and stored, but not for them. God, the sovereign king, is overseeing a massive, history-long wealth transfer. The sinner is, ironically, working for the righteous man's grandchildren. He is like a squirrel diligently burying nuts, unaware that a wise farmer is watching, intending to harvest those nuts for his own family in the winter. This has happened repeatedly in Scripture: the wealth of the Egyptians was given to Israel at the Exodus (Ex. 12:36); the wealth of the Canaanites was given to them in the conquest. Haman built gallows for Mordecai, but ended up hanging on them himself, and his estate was given to Esther. This is the pattern. The wealth of those who build on a foundation of rebellion is insecure. Because they have no future in God's economy, their assets are destined to be liquidated and transferred to those who do.

Application

This proverb has at least three pointed applications for us. First, it commands us to reject the pathetic, self-centered consumerism of our age. The bumper sticker that jokes about "spending our children's inheritance" is not just a joke; it is a confession of godless folly. We are to think like patriarchs, not like prodigals. We should be working diligently, saving wisely, and planning strategically to leave a material and spiritual inheritance for our grandchildren. This means getting out of debt, acquiring productive assets, and teaching our children the principles of biblical stewardship. It means seeing our work not as a way to get stuff, but as a way to build a lasting outpost for the kingdom.

Second, this proverb should fill us with a rugged, long-term optimism. When we look at the world, we see godless corporations, corrupt governments, and wicked institutions that seem to hold all the cards and all the cash. It is easy to become discouraged. But this verse reminds us that their hold is temporary. They are simply managing assets that will one day be turned over to the saints. This should free us from envy and despair. We do not need to envy the sinner's temporary prosperity because we know its ultimate destination. We do not need to despair, because we know that God is working all things, including the world's economic systems, for the good of His people and the glory of His name.

Finally, this verse calls us to be the kind of people to whom God can entrust this transferred wealth. The wealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous. God is not going to hand over the world's resources to foolish, faithless, or disobedient Christians. He is looking for men and women of integrity, wisdom, and faithfulness. He is looking for those who have proven themselves trustworthy with little, so that they can be made rulers over much. Therefore, the path to seeing this promise fulfilled is the path of righteousness. It is the path of fearing God, keeping His commandments, and walking in wisdom. As we do this, we become the kind of people who can receive an inheritance, and the kind of people for whom the sinner is, unwittingly, working every day.