Proverbs 21:17

The book of Proverbs gives us insights into so many different areas of life. The book gives us instruction on how to live our lives for God. Here is a proverb that gives us insight on what we love:

Proverbs 21:17 (NASBStr)

He who loves pleasure will become a poor man;

He who loves wine and oil will not become rich.

Proverbs 21:17 (ESV)

Whoever loves pleasure will be a poor man;

he who loves wine and oil will not be rich.

The word to "love" in the above proverb carries all the meanings that we use in the English language; the love a man for a women; a man for his dog; the love you have for a thing.   What Solomon is telling us is that if we love pleasure and wine and oil we will lose out on both the eternal and the physical.   Love for pleasure in this world, as it is seen through our tastes for wine and oil, will bring misfortune in this life.   Wine and oil were for the wealthy and the rich and it was a way to describe loss living and lack of planning.   When we place our affections and emotions on the temporal we will lose both the temporal and the eternal.   Proverbs tells us not to look to be rich or even consider the understanding of wealth.  But, it also tells us that true wealth is a natural by-product of obeying God's Word and God's blessing.    Our society is fixated on pleasure.   Wine is a representative of our desire for alcohol and the feeling that comes from being buzzed.   Oil was used for everything.   It had multiple usage.   So, to love it was quite natural.   Yet, putting your love and affection on such things will cause you to lose sight on what we are supposed to love: God with all our heart, soul and mind.   Love for something other than Good will always result in the loss of blessings from God.