Proverbs 11:18

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 about the wages of wickedness: 

Proverbs 11:18 (NASBStr)

The wicked earns deceptive wages,

But he who sows righteousness gets a true reward.

Proverbs 11:18 (ESV)

The wicked earns deceptive wages,

but one who sows righteousness gets a sure reward.

This proverb is similar to the one just before it in chapter 11:

Proverbs 11:16 (ESV Strong's)

A gracious woman gets honor,

and violent men get riches.

Both these proverbs speak to what is due those who reject God's Wisdom or put their faith in it for salvation.  God is going to give people what they earn.  He always gives them their due.   When we believe Christ die in our place, we trust His work.  He died in our place to give us His righteousness.    That righteousness, in Christ, will reap rewards for the person of faith who believes that ANY good they do it is because of Christ's Work, not their own.  On the other hand, when someone believes they can do things to please God (based upon their own work ethic) God has wages in store for them, as well.  They are "deceptive wages," however.   When we think we can earn God's pleasure by doing a work, ANY work, we deceive ourselves.   That is wickedness because it flows from a wicked heart and it steals the glory from God.   The wicked think, in this life they do such great things for God.   Yet, they fail to realize that any effort by man, absent the work of Christ, is futile.  It is only through Christ that we sow righteousness and reap a real, valid and God honoring reward.   True faith in Christ's finished work and His on-going work in our lives, will reap a true reward.

In Romans we are told that the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life.    The concept of "wages" earned in God's Word is very familiar.  Solomon gives us further insight with this proverb.    The "wicked" earn what they get.  Since they are, by nature, deceptive in their lives, they work and earn wages, that are equally deceptive.    In Proverbs 1:14 we here the wicked crying to the naive ones to toss in their money into their pockets and they will have "one" purse.   That deception will cost the naive everything.   The wicked thinks the things they are earning for their work (done in wicked ways and not for the glory of God) will last.  But like putting money in a purse with holes, it will only deceive.   In contrast we have the picture of the one who is declared righteous by God.   They may have little temporal or material to show for their work, but their reward is great and it is true.   A "true" reward is better than a "great" reward, however.   The word "true" here is used 120 plus times in the Old Testament.   It means something that is faithful.   So, the reward of the righteous is the opposite of deceptive.  It is a faithful reward.   Whereas the wicked and never be sure what their wages will deliver, the righteous (those who's faith is in Christ) can rejoice that they have a steadfast, faithful and sure reward that will always deliver.