WISDOM IN OUR HEARTS (3)

“He who troubles his own house will inherit the wind, and the fool shall be servant to the WISE of HEART” – Proverbs 11:29

Foolishness leads to servitude; but WISDOM in the HEART grants us Dignity of Dominion: “He who troubles his own house will inherit the wind, and the fool shall be servant to the WISE of HEART” (Pro.11:29). Proverbs 11 presents a contrast between the righteous and the wicked. Righteous people follow God's Will, bringing honour and blessing on themselves. Evil people disobey God, bringing trouble on others and themselves. This closing section discussed the benefits of righteousness and generosity as opposed to stinginess and trust in riches. The righteous will prosper and live, but the wicked will experience pain and punishment.

Solomon had noted ways in which selfishness leads to ruin: “The merciful man does good for his own soul, but he who is cruel troubles his own flesh” (Pro.11:17). He contrasted this to generosity: “There is one who scatters, yet increases more; and there is one who withholds more than is right, but it leads to poverty. The generous soul will be made rich, and he who waters will also be watered himself. The people will curse him who withholds grain, but blessing will be on the head of him who sells it” (Pro.11:24-26).

Verse 29 focuses on family relationships. To “trouble” one’s own household describes a person whose choices, actions or inactions endanger the home. One can cause trouble and end up with nothing by abusing privileges or neglecting duties in the family. To "inherit the wind" through foolishness implies that there will be nothing worthy left of the family. Rather than having a legacy to pass along, it’ll all be consumed. The fool will suffer in servitude, while the wise-hearted will thrive!

Fathers can trouble their houses by being greedy of gain: “He who is greedy for gain troubles his own house, but he who hates bribes will live” (Pro.15:27). Such absentee fathers work excessive hours, waste money in foolish ventures, deprive their family of personal attention, are stingy with money, compromise integrity, and are carnally minded, all in their vain pursuit of wealth. Slothful men also hurt their families by depriving them of provisions and opportunities.

Fathers can also be overbearing, harsh, critical, and domineering, which may discourage wives and children: “Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged” (Col.3:21; Eph.6:4a). On the other hand, a father who avoids decisions or responsibilities also troubles his house, leaving the family at sea without a captain to provide security and direction for their lives.

Overbearing or irresponsible wives and mothers are also troublers of homes: “An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, but she who causes shame is like rottenness in his bones” (Pro.12:4); “Better to dwell in a corner of a housetop, than in a house shared with a contentious woman…Better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and angry woman” (Pro.21: 9, 19). Such women drive children to anger, bitterness, discouragement, frustration, and even hatred. They are full-time meddlers, always digging, nagging, and pressing about trivial aspects of life. Few children can stand the vexation of living with cruel or critical parents.

This proverb also applies to children that do not honour their parents. They also will inherit the wind – lose by natural and divine judgment the benefit that could or should have been theirs. They will end up serving their siblings or others that are wise of heart.

Troubling one’s family has consequences. Foolish parents, who selfishly neglect their children or odiously interfere in their lives, will lose them. They will die lonely, even if the children visit them out of obligation. Foolish choices will cost a man his standing. Fools lose the contest of life. Fools end up serving the wise in heart. They envy their success, likely work for them, and borrow from them. Wise persons win in the game of life, and fools end up losing to them. Like cream, the prudent and wise rise; like dregs, the brash and foolish fall. The constant lesson of Proverbs is the great benefit of righteousness and wisdom. It’s time to embrace wisdom!