True contentment flows to the righteous through reliance on the Lord, while the wicked remain endlessly hungry for more.
“The righteous has enough to satisfy his appetite, But the stomach of the wicked is in need.” (v.25) This proverb declares a vivid contrast between God’s faithful people and those who reject His ways. The righteous person experiences contentment because they align themselves with the moral order God has woven into creation, trusting Him to meet their needs. In contrast, the wicked find themselves perpetually craving more, for their pursuits are disconnected from the Lord’s design, leaving them with a gnawing insufficiency. Like Solomon observes elsewhere, human appetite—when driven solely by fleshly desire—can never fully be satisfied by physical means, revealing that genuine fulfillment must come from living in accordance with God’s counsel.
This verse also connects with biblical examples showing how prioritizing momentary gratification leads to continued lack. Esau’s hunger caused him to squander his rightful inheritance, demonstrating that an unchecked appetite can rob a person of greater blessings. The righteous, conversely, place their trust in the Lord and His Word, finding that when they seek Him first, their deeper needs are satisfied. The wicked, however, chase satisfaction through selfish ambition, always ending up in deeper want. Scripture repeatedly affirms that God’s provision for those who rely on Him is both spiritual and material, ensuring that integrity, generosity, and submission to divine truth form a secure path to lasting fulfillment.
Jesus echoes a similar theme in the New Testament when He proclaims that those hungering for righteousness will be blessed and ultimately satisfied (Matthew 5:6). This is a promise that transcends earthly cravings, pointing to the idea that centering one’s life upon God’s kingdom provides a sense of completeness the restless appetites of our fallen nature can never supply. In Proverbs 13:25, the word “appetite” can encompass far more than physical hunger—it includes the profound yearnings of the human heart, which only finds ultimate contentment under God’s provision.
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Proverbs 13:25 meaning
“The righteous has enough to satisfy his appetite, But the stomach of the wicked is in need.” (v.25) This proverb declares a vivid contrast between God’s faithful people and those who reject His ways. The righteous person experiences contentment because they align themselves with the moral order God has woven into creation, trusting Him to meet their needs. In contrast, the wicked find themselves perpetually craving more, for their pursuits are disconnected from the Lord’s design, leaving them with a gnawing insufficiency. Like Solomon observes elsewhere, human appetite—when driven solely by fleshly desire—can never fully be satisfied by physical means, revealing that genuine fulfillment must come from living in accordance with God’s counsel.
This verse also connects with biblical examples showing how prioritizing momentary gratification leads to continued lack. Esau’s hunger caused him to squander his rightful inheritance, demonstrating that an unchecked appetite can rob a person of greater blessings. The righteous, conversely, place their trust in the Lord and His Word, finding that when they seek Him first, their deeper needs are satisfied. The wicked, however, chase satisfaction through selfish ambition, always ending up in deeper want. Scripture repeatedly affirms that God’s provision for those who rely on Him is both spiritual and material, ensuring that integrity, generosity, and submission to divine truth form a secure path to lasting fulfillment.
Jesus echoes a similar theme in the New Testament when He proclaims that those hungering for righteousness will be blessed and ultimately satisfied (Matthew 5:6). This is a promise that transcends earthly cravings, pointing to the idea that centering one’s life upon God’s kingdom provides a sense of completeness the restless appetites of our fallen nature can never supply. In Proverbs 13:25, the word “appetite” can encompass far more than physical hunger—it includes the profound yearnings of the human heart, which only finds ultimate contentment under God’s provision.