The Lord uses His people similarly to provide for His church today. Generally speaking (again, these are proverbs for us today), God desires to bless our faithfulness with fruitfulness to care for ourselves, for others, and His church. Fruit may not always be in dollars and things, but a faithful life is generally a happy one as one does all things “in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to the Father through Him” (Col 3:17). 

The wisdom of God’s Word encourages us to prosper on earth but not as an end unto itself. This world and its goods are passing away, but we are to be faithful with what we have until we win our heavenly rest. Our eyes will see Christ, and our true treasure in heaven will finally be ours. Until then, we do what we can for our welfare and for others as God provides.

Thoughts like these are found in Proverbs 27:23–27, a passage that instructs us how to think and plan for a new year. Its main idea is something like, “Take care of your business, and it will take care of you.” But take note—in addition to the clarifications above, this passage is proverbial and not a promise, as God’s providence sometimes brings surprises to our lives. Nonetheless, its wisdom should still be heeded.

Our passage’s author, Solomon, knew a great deal about earthly success. Granted, when God asked what he wanted, he was given wisdom by God and then riches and honor as a bonus (1 Kings 3). At the same time, he did ask for wisdom and thus managed Israel well and knew wealth like no other king. Scripture summarizes: “King Solomon excelled all the kings of the earth in riches and in wisdom” (1 Kings 10:23). As for his people, “Judah and Israel were as many as the sand by the sea. They ate and drank and were happy” (1 Kings 4:20).

Though this passage is largely agrarian and pastoral (in the classic sense of the word—minding livestock), its principles apparently applied to the crown (Proverbs 27:24). From one king to the next (cf. Proverbs 1:1; 25:1), this passage instructed the officers of the land (cf. Proverbs 1:8; 25:1). It is also Scripture for us today (cf. 2 Timothy 3:16–17), whatever size our household may be.

For all of this introduction, the passage is relatively simple to understand. Giving headings to each section of verses, we could say first of all…

The Lord Requires Us to Be Faithful in the Things of Life (27:23–24).

Our passage begins with parallel commands to “know well the condition of your flocks, and give attention to your herds” (Prov 27:23). Solomon’s wealth extended to cattle (cf. 1 Kings 4:22–23, 26; 8:5; 9:62; 10:22, 25–26), much like Jacob, whose herding heeded these commands (cf. Gen 31:38–42). In principle, whatever the Lord has put in our care, “it is required of stewards that they be found faithful” (1 Cor 4:2).

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