The Mistress of Money (Proverbs 28:20)
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Proverbs 28:20
A faithful man will abound with blessings,
but whoever hastens to be rich will not go unpunished.
One commentator of this verse says, “The man who makes fidelity the master principle will be rewarded. (The one) who makes accumulation of wealth the master passion will be punished.”
In other words, this Proverb draws a clear line in the sand — a comparison between the godly and the greedy. One walks with integrity and receives blessing in God’s time. The other sprints after riches, and though he might win the world’s applause, he won’t escape God’s judgment.
Now if you’re a Christian hearing this, I don’t think this is something in principle we disagree with. However, I confess it's much harder to agree with in practice. What do I mean?
Well...this verse doesn’t always look true, does it? I mean, if you scan the world for evidence, it often feels upside-down. The faithful? Sometimes they’re the ones barely hanging on — scraping by, misunderstood, passed over. Meanwhile the greedy — the corner-cutters, the ones making money their god — they seem to be doing just fine. More than fine, even. They’re flourishing. They’re influencers. They’ve got the house, the followers, the comfort.
But that’s why I find this verse strangely comforting. I wonder if God had Solomon write this down not because it’s always obvious — but precisely because it’s not. Maybe this little proverb is like a compass — something to hold onto when the sky is overcast and the path feels confusing.
It reminds us: you are not crazy to be faithful. You are not foolish to resist the rush.
It’s difficult, isn’t it? But at the same time, a little perspective helps. I was on the phone yesterday with a friend who served in a poor country in Africa this past month, and he was telling me of all the people he asked about the question of suffering and why they would believe in God when their lives on earth looked really bleak. And he told me he was blown away by their faith — saying that they kept pointing back to this: “This life on earth is far shorter than eternity with God.”
Hearing that gave me chills and convicted me of my sense of entitlement. That’s the kind of faith that sees through the fog. Because the truth is, not every Proverb plays out as a promise in this life — but all of them will in the next. One day, the scoreboard will be reset. The first will be last. The faithful who seemed forgotten will be seen. And the greedy — those who made a mistress of money — will discover she was never faithful to them.
Let’s sit with that image for a moment. Greed is like a mistress — seductive, promising thrill, always whispering, “Just a little more.” She calls to us in late nights and lonely places. And when we go to her, she offers the illusion of intimacy — success, security, control. But she never delivers. We wake emptier. More ashamed. And one day, if we follow her long enough, she’ll take everything. Even our soul. There’s a reason Jesus says you cannot serve both God and money. Because money isn’t just a neutral tool; it’s a rival god.
That’s why this Proverb isn’t just advice — it’s a warning drenched in love. It says: Be faithful. Even when no one sees. Even when it feels like it’s not paying off.
Because faithfulness isn’t just about what we get — it’s about who we’re becoming.
Commentator Duane Garrett puts it well: “While not condemning possession in themselves, Proverbs always rejects greed. It contrasts financial prudence, diligence, and generosity with the desire for quick and easy money.”
So let this verse challenge your affections today. It’s easy to dismiss greed in our hearts — and that’s when it’s most dangerous. We can baptize it with phrases like “hustle” or “responsible planning.” We can chase it in our work... or even hoard it in our savings.
So maybe the better question today is this:
Who am I becoming in my relationship with money?
Is it shaping me toward generosity and trust in God — or is it slowly bending me toward self and fear?
Let’s pray.
