The Righteous Prov.10:25 CLICK TITLE FOR AUDIO

The Bible has lots to say about the righteous and the wicked.  In Proverbs, there are numerous references to these two and they are often contrasted.  There are two interesting pictures of the righteous in Proverbs that we want to preach on today.  In one of them the righteous are compared to a house and in the other the righteous are compared to a tree.

The righteous compared to a house

An everlasting foundation – Prov 10:25 – this is not surprising.  To build a strong house you need a strong foundation.  Jesus Christ is the only foundation in 1 Cor 3:11 and he is the chief cornerstone in Eph 2:20. When you get saved you have everlasting life because your house is built on an everlasting foundation.

A house – Prov 12:7 – you don’t lay a foundation and just quit.  You build on the foundation.  We are part of the household of God in Eph 2:19-22.  We are a spiritual house in 1 Pet 2:5. So, you lay a good foundation and build a strong house in righteousness.  See Matt 7:24-25.  You build your house by believing the Bible and doing what it says.

A house filled with treasure – Prov 15:6 – our house is not to remain empty.  Our house gets filled with treasure from 1 Cor 3:11-15 and from Matt 6:19-21.

Notice that the house of the wicked won’t stand in Matt 7:26-27.  It is overthrown in Prov 14:11. It might stand on the earth; but it won’t stand in eternity.

The righteous compared to a tree

A root – Prov 12:3 – a tree needs a good root.  Jesus is the root and the offspring of David [Rev 22:16].

A tree of life – Prov 11:30 – Jesus is eternal life [1 Jn 5:20]. When you get saved you have eternal life.  Your root grows into a tree [Ps 1:1-3].  And the tree is not ornamental; it is fruit-bearing.

A tree filled with fruit – Prov 12:12 – the righteousness of Jesus Christ in you yields the fruit of righteousness [Jas 3:17-18].  The Holy Spirit in you yields the fruit of the Spirit [Gal 5:22-23].  And the word of God in you yields fruit, including more souls saved [Mk 4:20].

Notice that the tree of the wicked is cut off and rooted out [Prov 2:22; Matt 3:10].

Conclusion: it is much better to be righteous than to be wicked.  You might get away with some things that make you think that being wicked is better than being righteous because it takes time to build a house and to grow a tree.  But when the house is finished and the tree is grown you will then realize how foolish you were to pursue wickedness.  You’ll have nothing but destruction to show for it.  And we’ll have eternal life.