There are many fine nuggets in this chapter.
Verse 3 is so true. When things go wrong we always look for someone else to blame, and if we cannot find anyone then God will do. Atheists rage against the Lord (who doesn't exist according to them, so why bother raging against Him?), but our own folly is responsible for most of our troubles.
Worldly relationships are so shallow. A wealthy person will have many "friends" (v4) as will a ruler or someone who gives gifts (v6). Conversely a poor person will find he has few friends (v4,7). God's relationship with us is infinitely deeper, and He wants us to have a similar commitment to each other.
Wisdom and understanding bring life and prosperity (v8). Wisdom yields patience and a wise person is not always looking to get even or get his own back (v11).
Jesus said that what we do for least we do for Him. This is an echo of verse 17. It is a Biblical principle that surest financial foundation we can lay is to be generous towards others.
While wisdom will bring prosperity, the chapter is also clear that it is better to be righteous and poor than rich and wicked (1, 22).
Hard work bears fruit, but laziness will lead to ruin.
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