“The wealth of the rich is their fortified city; they imagine it a wall too high to scale.” — Proverbs 18:11 (NIV)
Money can provide real protection, but it can also create a dangerous illusion of security. We may begin to believe that enough savings, investments, or possessions can shield us from whatever life brings.
In 1 Samuel 25, we encounter a wealthy man named Nabal whose story illustrates the danger of placing too much confidence in earthly riches. His experience reminds us that while financial resources are valuable tools, they can never provide the ultimate security our hearts desire.
Nabal: A Wealthy Man Who Lacked Wisdom
Nabal was an extremely wealthy man, owning 3,000 sheep and 1,000 goats. His wife, Abigail, is described as intelligent and discerning, but Nabal himself was harsh and badly behaved.
At the time, David was fleeing from King Saul. While David and his men lived in the wilderness, they spent time near Nabal's shepherds. Rather than taking advantage of them, David's men helped protect them and their livestock.
One of Nabal's servants later described David's men as a wall around them, both day and night. Their presence had provided genuine protection.
When sheep-shearing season arrived—a time of celebration and abundance—David sent several young men to Nabal with a respectful request for provisions. Considering the protection David's men had provided, the request was reasonable. But Nabal responded with contempt.
“Who is David? Who is the son of Jesse?” he asked (1 Samuel 25:10).
Rather than acknowledging the help he had received or sharing from his abundance, Nabal dismissed David entirely. His wealth had not made him generous or grateful. Instead, his response revealed a troubling arrogance.
The Imaginary Wall of Wealth
Nabal's story brings Proverbs 18:11 into focus:
“The wealth of the rich is their fortified city; they imagine it a wall too high to scale.”
Notice that last phrase: “They imagine it.” Wealth really can provide a measure of protection. Savings create financial margin. Insurance helps manage risk. Wise planning prepares us for unexpected challenges. Scripture consistently commends prudence and diligence.
The danger comes when practical security becomes ultimate security.
Nabal seems to have believed his wealth, position, and possessions put him beyond the reach of trouble. But while he enjoyed his abundance, David was preparing to retaliate against him with armed men.
The wall of security Nabal imagined was far weaker than he thought.
This story offers an interesting contrast. David's men had served as a real wall of protection for Nabal's household, yet Nabal's arrogance threatened to destroy the very security he enjoyed.
He had considerable wealth, but he lacked the wisdom to recognize his vulnerability.
Abigail: The Wisdom That Wealth Couldn't Buy
When Abigail learned what had happened, she acted quickly.
She gathered provisions, went out to meet David, and approached him with remarkable humility and discernment. She acknowledged the danger, urged David not to take vengeance, and reminded him of God's promises concerning his future.
Her intervention prevented unnecessary bloodshed and restrained David from responding to Nabal's foolishness with violence.
The contrast between husband and wife could hardly be sharper. Nabal possessed tremendous wealth but lacked wisdom. Abigail demonstrated humility, discernment, and an awareness that their household was not beyond danger.
Their story illustrates an important truth: Financial resources are valuable, but they cannot replace godly wisdom.
A person can have considerable wealth and still make decisions that threaten everything they've accumulated. Likewise, someone with fewer resources may demonstrate the wisdom, humility, and prudence that lead to greater stability.
Ultimately, our security depends on far more than the size of our accounts.
What Are We Asking Money to Do for Us?
Nabal's story raises an important question: What are we expecting money to provide?
There's nothing wrong with building an emergency fund, investing wisely, carrying appropriate insurance, preparing for retirement, or providing for our families. These are meaningful expressions of faithful stewardship. But none of these things can bear the weight of becoming our ultimate security.
A strong balance sheet cannot guarantee tomorrow. A diversified portfolio cannot prevent every loss. Even the most carefully constructed financial plan cannot eliminate life's uncertainties.
That doesn't make financial planning unimportant. It simply reminds us that its benefits have limits. The Apostle Paul addresses this directly in 1 Timothy 6:17, instructing the rich not to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides everything for our enjoyment.
Notice the balance in Paul's instruction. He doesn't condemn wealth or discourage us from enjoying God's provision. Instead, he redirects our hope toward the One who provides it.
We can enjoy what God has given, manage it responsibly, and use it to provide for others. But we must never confuse the gift with the Giver. And this temptation isn't limited to the wealthy.
Whether we have a little or a lot, we can begin believing that reaching a certain income, eliminating every debt, or accumulating a particular amount in savings will finally make us secure.
Those can be worthwhile financial goals, but they cannot provide the lasting security that comes from trusting God.
Finding Security in the Right Place
The lesson from Nabal's life isn't that wealth is dangerous or that financial planning is unnecessary. It's that money becomes a poor foundation when we ask it to provide what only God can.
Financial wisdom helps us prepare for an uncertain future, but it can never remove our need to depend on the Lord.
So build financial margin. Save diligently. Invest wisely. Make thoughtful decisions that honor God and provide for those entrusted to your care. But hold those resources with humility, remembering that circumstances can change and our control is always limited.
Everything we have ultimately comes from God and belongs to Him. Our responsibility is to steward His provision faithfully, without allowing it to take His place in our hearts.
Money may help protect us from life's uncertainties, but it was never meant to be the foundation of our security. That place belongs to God alone.
On Today’s Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions:
- I’m retired and want to invest for my six-year-old grandson’s future. What type of account would let the money grow while keeping him from accessing it until a later age?
- I’m nearing retirement and concerned about healthcare costs after leaving my city job. Should I look for a lower-cost insurance option, and are health-sharing ministries worth considering?
- Do health-sharing ministries include Medicare Part D prescription coverage, or would I need to purchase that separately?
- Scripture says a good person leaves an inheritance to their children’s children. How should I understand that, and how much should I consider leaving my grandchildren?
Resources Mentioned:
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