Job 31:25

25 if I have rejoiced because my wealth was great, or because my hand had gotten much;

Job 31:25 Meaning and Commentary

Job 31:25

If I rejoiced because my wealth [was] great
As it was, see ( Job 1:2 Job 1:3 ) ; yet he did not set his heart upon it, please himself with it, indulge to a carnal joy on account of it, nor suffer it to engross his affections, or alienate them from God his chief joy; not but that a man may lawfully rejoice in the goodness of God unto him, in increasing his wealth, and praise him for it, who has placed him in such easy circumstances, and so comfortably provided for him and his family, and put him into a capacity to do good to others; and he may rejoice in what God has given him, and cheerfully partake of it, ( 1 Chronicles 29:13 1 Chronicles 29:14 ) ( Deuteronomy 12:7 ) ( Ecclesiastes 5:19 Ecclesiastes 5:20 ) ;

and because my hand had gotten much;
though he had much wealth, he did not ascribe it to his own industry, and applaud his own wisdom and diligence, as men are apt to do, for all comes of God, and is owing to his blessing; he did not please himself when become rich, as if his own hand had found him much substance, as Ephraim did, ( Hosea 12:8 ) .

Job 31:25 In-Context

23 For I was in terror of calamity from God, and I could not have faced his majesty.
24 "If I have made gold my trust, or called fine gold my confidence;
25 if I have rejoiced because my wealth was great, or because my hand had gotten much;
26 if I have looked at the sun when it shone, or the moon moving in splendor,
27 and my heart has been secretly enticed, and my mouth has kissed my hand;
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.