Honor and Wealth

definition of hon·or  [on-er] 1.honesty, fairness, or integrity in one's beliefs and actions: a man of honor.2.a source of credit or distinction: to be an honor to one's family.3.high respect, as for worth, merit, or rank: to be held in honor.4.such respect manifested: a memorial in honor of the dead.5.high public esteem; fame; glory: He has earned his position of honor.

Proverbs talks a lot about honor. It is associated with respect. it is closely connected to wisdom and humility. When it speaks of honor, it also connects it to wealth and long life. It is definitely the opposite of a fool or the proud or the greedy. We see the fool or the proud losing their money, losing their life, losing their good name and causing themselves shame.

In reference to wealth, it says "a kindhearted woman gains honor while a ruthless man gains only wealth". 
Proverbs 11:16

This gives me the impression that the kind woman receives wealth and the honor, while a ruthless man receives only the wealth. Honor is much more important than the wealth, so when it says only wealth, it seems to me, she has gotten both. The ruthless man only has the wealth.

You know those business people who don't care who they rip off, they just want the money. They certainly don't receive any respect from members of society. I can think of several right now who used investments to take advantage of good, hard working people. They may have gotten away with the scheme and the money but they don't have anything else...certainly not honor or respect.

In connection with that, Proverbs 14:30-32 says

"Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker,

but whoever is kind to the needy honors God."

There it is again, the person ripping people off (oppressing the poor) is dishonoring God.

And in the very beginning of Proverbs it says 

Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops.

Proverbs 3:8-10

The only way to honor God with your money is to help others with it. The only way to help the poor is to give of yourself or your earnings.

Isn't it interesting that the people who give are the ones who end up with the wealth--and the honor?

Here is another story in Matthew where it talks about honoring God with giving.

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’“And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’Matthew 25:34-40

and  

Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full--pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back."Luke 6:35

When I study these things, I realize I have a lot to learn. I want to be more giving....and another interesting thing is---the people who give have no threat of being poor.

I find this concept so fascinating! It's once of those principles that makes no sense--it's just a "God" thing and I guess in the end---a "faith" thing.

One more scripture I found in Psalms that we all need to know is this.

...And if your wealth increases,

don't make it the center of your life.

Psalm 62:10

KL