The Joke is on the Wicked

Proverbs 10:23-25:

23 Doing wrong is like a joke to a fool, but wisdom is pleasure to a man of understanding.
24 What the wicked dreads will come upon him, but the desire of the righteous will be granted.
25 When the tempest passes, the wicked is no more, but the righteous is established forever.

For those who don't submit to the authority of God, rebellion is amusing. Scripture is clear in its warnings, what they most fear will come true. The good news is that those who find true wisdom pleasurable with get what they most desire. No matter how large the storm, their foundation is firm. The same cannot be said for those outside the fold. Hopefully this bring both believers and non-believers closer to Him.

No Negative Side Effects

Proverbs 10:22:

22 The blessing of the LORD makes rich, and he adds no sorrow with it.

We've heard that first part before. Wealth may not be the goal of wisdom, but it is a often a side effect. One side effect you won't see is a feeling of loss. Not that followers of God don't feel loss. It's our bad choices, not God's work, that bring sorrow.

Diverging Values of Speech

Proverbs 10:18-21:

18 The one who conceals hatred has lying lips, and whoever utters slander is a fool.
19 When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.
20 The tongue of the righteous is choice silver; the heart of the wicked is of little worth.
21 The lips of the righteous feed many, but fools die for lack of sense.

Not only is the expression of hatred condemned, but also hiding it. Not only do your words matter, but so do your thoughts. An abundance of speech can't cover it up, true wisdom (or prudence) can be seen in only a few words. We've all heard people do a lot of talking without saying anything of real value. Real words are as rare and as valuable as precious metal, sinful words aren't worth anyone's time. The words of the wise are remembered (the book of Proverbs is one example), but the words of the miserable exist to create more misery.

Payment for Services Rendered

Proverbs 10:16-17:

16 The wage of the righteous leads to life, the gain of the wicked to sin.
17 Whoever heeds instruction is on the path to life, but he who rejects reproof leads others astray.

This sums up several things Proverbs has already mentioned about the cause and effect of our life. The salary received by submission to God is a long life. Sin only brings more sin (the opposite is true too). How do we gain this "righteous life"? It's not by being faultless. It is submitting to the teaching of the wise. If you don't, you not only hurt yourself, you hurt those who are near you.

Fortress of Knowledge

Proverbs 10:15:

15 A rich man’s wealth is his strong city; the poverty of the poor is their ruin.

If you can store up knowledge like a savings account, then you can rely on it like a strong castle. If you are poor, in finances or understanding, it is much more difficult to weather hard times.

Storing Up Useful Knowledge

Proverbs 10:13-14:

13 On the lips of him who has understanding, wisdom is found, but a rod is for the back of him who lacks sense.
14 The wise lay up knowledge, but the mouth of a fool brings ruin near.

You can't tell a person of wisdom and a person of folly apart by the amount they talk. Instead it is the content that shows real understanding. Even better, real wisdom brings more knowledge. Even worse, real foolishness brings real ruin.

Your Words Matter

Proverbs 10:11-12:

11 The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.
12 Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses.

We've seen the benefits a child's submission has on their parents, but here we see the benefits spill over the entire community (no wonder they remember). The words of a Godly servant brings life, others bring abuse. Godly love (that is not self love) helps relationships, the opposite divides them.

Carefree Godliness

Proverbs 10:9-10:

9 Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out.
10 Whoever winks the eye causes trouble, but a babbling fool will come to ruin.

The laws of God are a lot like the law of nature. Ignore it and bad things will come. He created the world, so following his commands helps you navigate it. Often scripture is seen as oppressive, but here we see that Godly integrity leads to a carefree lifestyle. Security in God is true security.