The wages of the righteous is life,
The income of the wicked, punishment.
Message: To Life
Time: Proverbs records multiple individuals as its author with Solomon as the principal author. Solomon died in 931 BC though most think the book was likely in its final form sometime before the end of Hezekiah’s reign in 686 BC. It is a book that instructs people on the path of wisdom. It speaks to all of life and living our lives under the authority and direction of God.
What the Lord is Saying: Verse 16 continues the theme of finances from verse 15. Although verse 15 wasn't really a pronouncement on wealth being preferred over poverty, there were some common sense observations given about each, namely that wealth makes life a little easier and poverty has potential to provide more problems. Yet, in many ways, I see often a little difference here. Granted, America is a place that many describe as a land to fulfill dreams. One thing is clear and that is the infrastructure of the United States and the foresight in developing technology (highways, paved roads, rail) has clearly made a difference in this land in encouraging developing and progress.
But verse 15 also did not really deal with a contrast in anything spiritual. Granted, many of the proverbs could be applied in any walk of life, though it seems clear that Solomon or the write is contrasting righteousness rather than wickedness and those themes are more in line with traditional Christian thought and ideals. And yet, these days, even calling anything righteous or wicked seems more old school or traditional as there is little that is decreed as wicked now and most is based upon personal choice or preference.
The contrast here is between the righteous and the wicked. "The wages of the righteous is life, the income of the wicked, punishment." Both the wicked and righteous in these verses is earning money. There is labor worked, income made, wages earned for each. But the outcome of what they are earning or how money is spent is the difference. But this is not a verse encouraging wealth or poverty, though it does assume labor is being worked. I appreciate that assumption, for I think each of us is meant to work.
Even in the garden of Eden people had responsibilities to care for the land and animals (Genesis 1:26-31). What occurred after the fall was their work became toil (Genesis 3:17-18). Work went from a joy to a burden. Both it seems are present today. Most people in life are dreaming of a day of not working. It seems we place too much of an emphasis at times on not working. This might be a result more of urban sprawl as farming seems to assume life long work. Granted, I have been healthy and so therefore, work has been easy and fairly easy to obtain. I remained concern over many people that do not work and choose instead to have the government support them. Granted, there are complicated reasons for each. But, to me, the idea of supporting one another and their needs is more of a responsibility of the church. And most people should find an opportunity to work or even serve.
In the NASB version, the earning of the righteous brings life. NLT adds "enhance their lives." But most versions simply state life. The contrast idea is wickedness in the NASB is punishment. Many other versions state sin as the unwelcome outcome. The NIV adds death.
I think here the righteous person is a Godly person and so the life that comes from wages supports a person that is concerned about living a righteous life. In scripture, life, in my observation, is the goal. God's love has an intended outcome of everlasting life (John 3:16). And the biggest obstacle in life - sin - is dealt with through death, the opposite of life (Romans 6:23). For the most part, this is the greatest goal of people throughout the ages. One thing remains, no matter the time period or point in history, we want an abundant life. We want to be able to possess it in its full potential. The righteous ends up with something with his/her earning, while the wicked ends up with nothing.
I think there could even be an application of savings in this verse because life encompasses doing things that immediate funds cannot do, such as a vacation, or large investment.
Last night my wife and I watched the biopic movie "I Am: Celine Dion" about her current state of life in having stiff body syndrome. She is 57 and has stopped performing because of it. One of the first questions posed in the movie to her is where you would like to go (or travel). She remarked that while she has performed all over the world, in many different places, she did not really go to any of the places or rather experience those places. In essence she was working and though her work produced much joy in her life she still did not get to experience really traveling to new places. It was an interesting observation, that though she was very wealthy and had a huge house and land, there was something missing for her outside of her home even if she can never perform again. There was a fullness of life she might never experience. Not to say this is what every person wants. Some people experience a full life never leaving the city they were born and live. Their ideals are different. So to each person, a definition of what is life might be different, but for each person life is something we dream of possession. However it is defined, it has a goal.
The labor or wages of the wicked is punishment or death or sin. The contrasting outcome is everything we don't want. But again, the contrast here is not being rich or poor, but it is how one conducts their life. I have always remembered a custodian who worked at the airport around 2002 that I would often see and speak with. He fulfilled a dream in having a home - a manufactured home and he took great pride in his lawn and taking care of his yard. For him, this was his full life and possessing it for him was life. But for the wicked earnings produces nothing of lasting value.
The wicked life is ruined. It leads from sin to sin. In this sin outcome, one commentator mentioned luxury in the description. A premium price is needed for luxury and it is a high degree of comfort, pleasure and enjoyment. I have wondered at times if this luxury life is what we need this side of heaven. It seems that we do not want anyone to live in extreme poverty or in a realm in which they have no provisions. And so it also seems that the reverse or extreme luxury is likewise something that is unnecessary. This is a hard one to me. I suppose if people are employed to support those in luxury in a fair manner - equitable wages and normal working hours then it might be fine, but I am concerned of the life that is only lived in luxury.
In some ways, I struggle to really see the outcome of the wicked. The wicked person today can achieve so much. One of my friends mentioned a lady that prostitutes herself in life to men who are older and have wives that are now unfulfilling. He mentioned how men pay big dollars to simply receive words of affirmation, encouragement and to be listened and wanted. And this woman makes over $100,000 per month. Sexual activity may also be involved. Her life seems to be wicked, and yet she is gaining a lot of riches through the process. But perhaps that is because we once again value opulent living. And the sin and death and punishment here just that.
Prayer: God, I enjoy these Proverbs. It is interesting to examine the thoughts around each and what they really mean. Thank you for the mind you have given me and the joy of pondering these ideas. I pray that I would be a person of righteousness and seeking to live my life in a righteous way. I think this is all that we want in life. We want to be free of sordid gain for in that type of wicked producing life even if the outcome seems beneficial it lacks integrity and honesty. Help me better understand that meaning. Help me be a person that encourages righteousness. Be glorified always God. In Christ's name and because of Him I pray. Amen.
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