Walking with the Wise #93: Character Counts

“A gracious woman gets honor,


and violent men get riches.”

—Proverbs 11:16

Character counts. Solomon understood the power of character and intentionally contrasted a gracious woman and a violent man in order to show how valuable character is. In Jewish society, women were not as highly looked upon—they couldn’t testify in court, and didn’t have as many rights. For example, a Jewish man could divorce his wife, but it was extremely difficult for a Jewish woman to divorce her husband.

Solomon wants us to know that honor is better than riches. A woman may be looked upon as more lowly than a man in society, but if she is gracious, she will receive more honor than a wealthy man who got his wealth by violence.

It doesn’t matter who you are; if you don’t have character, then you are a failure. You may have gained the whole world, but you have mortgaged your soul by sacrificing your integrity. God honors everyone who honors Him. It doesn’t matter what your station or age; if you seek God’s kingdom and refuse to compromise in the little things of life, God will honor you.

How about you, beloved? Have you taken short cuts to get ahead in life? To get ahead in your career? Be sure, your sin will find you out! You may become wealthy and you may get power, but you have lost your soul in the process. Honor God and He will honor you, and you will have a clean conscience, which is more valuable than any earthly treasure. Amen.