Chasing selfish gain without wisdom inevitably leads to emptiness.
When King Solomon, who ruled the united kingdom of Israel from 970 BC to 931 BC, writes, “A man with an evil eye hastens after wealth And does not know that want will come upon him” (v.22), he paints a vivid picture of a greedy individual blinded by the lure of immediate material gain. The phrase “evil eye” typically describes someone driven by selfish intent, lacking compassion. This person, seeking only to accumulate riches quickly, does so with a perspective warped by lust for wealth rather than genuine stewardship of resources. Without considering the consequences or the needs of others, he charges ahead, failing to see how the very thing he chases will lead to his downfall.
In hastening after wealth, “a man with an evil eye” (v.22) moves with reckless abandon, oblivious to the pitfalls on his path. His desperation may cause him to fall into poor decisions, ethical compromises, and missed opportunities for a more lasting prosperity. Ultimately, he “does not know that want will come upon him” (v.22)—this is not simply a warning about financial ruin but a broader principle that those who grasp for material gain at the expense of integrity and dependence on God position themselves for eventual loss. Jesus also reinforces this principle by emphasizing the futility of hoarding earthly treasures at the expense of spiritual health (Matthew 6:19-21).
This proverb warns readers to adopt an attitude of trust in the Lord’s provision and cultivate generosity. Instead of consolidating wealth for selfish gain, believers benefit most from turning their eyes toward God’s wisdom and abiding by His instructions. As King Solomon teaches elsewhere, genuine prosperity stems not from blind pursuit of money, but from walking uprightly and showing compassion (Proverbs 11:24).
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Proverbs 28:22 meaning
When King Solomon, who ruled the united kingdom of Israel from 970 BC to 931 BC, writes, “A man with an evil eye hastens after wealth And does not know that want will come upon him” (v.22), he paints a vivid picture of a greedy individual blinded by the lure of immediate material gain. The phrase “evil eye” typically describes someone driven by selfish intent, lacking compassion. This person, seeking only to accumulate riches quickly, does so with a perspective warped by lust for wealth rather than genuine stewardship of resources. Without considering the consequences or the needs of others, he charges ahead, failing to see how the very thing he chases will lead to his downfall.
In hastening after wealth, “a man with an evil eye” (v.22) moves with reckless abandon, oblivious to the pitfalls on his path. His desperation may cause him to fall into poor decisions, ethical compromises, and missed opportunities for a more lasting prosperity. Ultimately, he “does not know that want will come upon him” (v.22)—this is not simply a warning about financial ruin but a broader principle that those who grasp for material gain at the expense of integrity and dependence on God position themselves for eventual loss. Jesus also reinforces this principle by emphasizing the futility of hoarding earthly treasures at the expense of spiritual health (Matthew 6:19-21).
This proverb warns readers to adopt an attitude of trust in the Lord’s provision and cultivate generosity. Instead of consolidating wealth for selfish gain, believers benefit most from turning their eyes toward God’s wisdom and abiding by His instructions. As King Solomon teaches elsewhere, genuine prosperity stems not from blind pursuit of money, but from walking uprightly and showing compassion (Proverbs 11:24).