Chapter Summary

Proverbs 11 opens with one of the most direct statements about business ethics in Scripture: a false balance is an abomination to the LORD, but a just weight is his delight. God is not indifferent to how we conduct our financial dealings.

The chapter contains one of the most counterintuitive economic principles in the Bible: there is one who scatters, and yet increases more; and there is one who withholds more than is right, but it leads to poverty. Generosity grows wealth. Hoarding diminishes it.

Verse 14 stands as one of the great practical principles in Proverbs: where there is no counsel, the people fall, but in a multitude of counselors there is safety. No one is wise enough to navigate life alone.

All 31 Verses
Click any verse to reflect on its meaning
Related Bible Story
The Early Church and the Power of Generosity
Acts 4:32 to 35 · New Testament

The Early Church and the Power of Generosity

What happens when a community takes Proverbs 11:24 seriously
Connection to Proverbs 11

The early church is Proverbs 11:24 to 25 in action. They scattered freely and increased. Verse 25 says the generous soul will be made rich. As they gave, God's grace poured in more powerfully, and the testimony they became drew thousands more to faith.