Proverbs 11:16 - Grace Earns Honor

Proverbs 11:16 

A gracious woman attains honor, 

and violent men attain riches.

Message: Grace Earns Honor

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: Comparing versions:

NIV says, "A kindhearted woman gains honor, but ruthless men gain only wealth." 

NLT says, "A gracious woman gains respect, but ruthless men gain only wealth." 

Good News / Today's English Version, "A gracious woman is respected, but a woman without virtue is a disgrace. Lazy people will never have money, but aggressive people will get rich."

At first glance, this seems like a little bit of a puzzling contrast. From the NASB, it compares gracious women with violent men. Hmm. What's that about? To be gracious is to be forgiving. It is to give without looking at the character of the individual receiving grace. For God to be gracious towards us or saving us by grace He is saving us without any expectation of us doing something in return. We do not have to work. And so here is the gracious woman and this is someone that everyone wants to be like for she receives honor for her grace. 

The violent man in contrast receives riches. Riches is all this person can attain. Thus, honor is greater than riches. Could it be that anyone can go make riches? Granted, it takes work, but to receive honor means you don't just look out for self. Honor is showing respect or having great esteem for another. This is a need in a marriage and is part of our wedding vows to love, honor and respect. And yet I think what most people want in life is both. We want honor but also riches. 

God is the definer of grace. When looking at grace, we first look at God and His extending grace to us. He sets the bar. All other grace is inferior, but for a woman to have grace is a high calling. This is someone that has humility. As I was thinking about modest dressing. It is a person that isn't calling attention to oneself. It is to be gentle. 

Again, the contrast then is to a man of wealth. As I look at commentaries, all the focus is on the woman and defining grace and honor. There is little words on the man's role of riches. And yet maybe this isn't a classic contrast of positive and negative but rather to say that a man is not simply to acquire riches but retain and keep them. That we are not simply to gather but sustain. And yet the man is more focused on providing for his family. The woman is helping mold the children and their character and the man is out providing what they need. 

Violent appears to mean ruthless and powerful. It is a sort of 'at any cost' to obtain. 

Prayer: O God, I am to extol honor over riches. Help me to value honor and not simply value wealth. Help me to think of character over possessions. I don't want to arrive at a funeral with people thinking of my wealth but rather who I am as a person. I want to point to You God and help people do this. 

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