Proverbs 1:14

Letters to the Faithful - Proverbs 1:14

Berean Standard Bible

Throw in your lot with us; let us all share one purse”—

King James Bible

Cast in thy lot among us; let us all have one purse:

Hebrew Text:

גֹּ֭ורָ֣לְךָ תַּפִּ֣יל בְּתֹוכֵ֑נוּ כִּ֥יס אֶ֝חָ֗ד יִהְיֶ֥ה לְכֻלָּֽנוּ׃

Transliteration:

Gōrāleḵā tappîl bəṯōḵênū, kîs eḥāḏ yihyeh ləḵullānū.

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Throw in your lot with us;

This phrase is an invitation to join a group with a common purpose, often implying a sense of camaraderie or shared destiny. In the context of Proverbs, it reflects the enticement of sinners who seek to recruit others into their schemes. The phrase suggests a decision point, where one must choose between the path of wisdom and the path of folly. Biblically, this can be compared to the call of wisdom versus the call of folly seen throughout Proverbs. The idea of "throwing in your lot" can also be seen in the story of Lot in Genesis, who chose to live in Sodom, illustrating the consequences of aligning oneself with the wrong company.

let us all share one purse”—

This part of the verse highlights the promise of shared wealth and mutual benefit, which is often used as a lure by those engaging in unethical or sinful behavior. The concept of a "shared purse" implies a communal sharing of resources, which can be appealing but also dangerous if the means of acquiring those resources are unjust. In the historical and cultural context of ancient Israel, communal living and shared resources were common, but the Bible warns against dishonest gain. This phrase can be connected to the New Testament, where Jesus warns against the love of money and the deceitfulness of riches (Matthew 6:24, 1 Timothy 6:10). It also contrasts with the early Christian community in Acts 2:44-45, where believers shared their possessions out of love and generosity, not greed or deceit.

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"Cast in thy lot among us; let us all have one purse," cry the enticers, luring the simple to paths of greed and ruin. Herein lies wisdom's warning: shun the fellowship of those who chase unjust gain, for their way leads to destruction, while righteousness guards the soul in truth.

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To all the saints of God who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to holiness, preserved in grace, and awaiting the appearing of our Lord from heaven, to the brethren both near and far, across lands and generations, peace be multiplied unto you from God the Father and from our Lord Jesus Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

Beloved, I write to you with sobriety of spirit and firmness of speech, for we live in perilous times wherein the voice of the tempter calls loudly in the streets, and the allurements of the ungodly are dressed in the garments of fellowship. The path of righteousness is narrow, and the gate is strait; therefore, we must walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

It is written by the wisdom of God in Proverbs, “Cast in thy lot among us; let us all have one purse.” These are the words of the enticer, the speech of those who walk after greed, violence, and hidden snares. It is the invitation of the wicked, cloaked in unity, masked as friendship, but aimed at destruction. The voice speaks not from the mouth of Christ, but from the seat of the scorner; not from the altar of truth, but from the council of the perverse.

I beseech you, brethren, be not deceived. The enemy of your souls often wraps corruption in the language of community. He calls you to cast in your lot, to share the purse, to unite with the lawless under the banner of common gain. But he does not tell you that the end thereof is the pit. He does not say that the feet of those who heed him are swift to shed blood, that their path leads to ruin, and that their reward is judgment.

Shall the children of light walk in the counsel of the ungodly? Shall those redeemed by incorruptible blood join hands with those who lie in wait for blood? Shall the inheritance of the righteous be mingled with the wages of iniquity? God forbid. For what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? What communion hath light with darkness?

You who are called by the name of the Lord—be ye separate. Let not your heart be joined to those who would entice you into compromise. Let your portion be in the fear of the Lord, not in the purse of thieves. Let your lot be cast with the saints in light, not with those who promise gain but sow ruin.

This proverb, though ancient in tongue, is ever fresh in application. For today, even as in days of old, the tempter says: “Join with us. Agree with our ways. Share our portion. Come, let us prosper together.” And many are swept into snares, not by the sword, but by the suggestion of belonging.

But wisdom cries aloud—she calls in the streets and lifts her voice in the gates. She warns the simple, she reproves the mocker, she pleads with the naive: “If sinners entice thee, consent thou not!” For their net is spread in vain in the sight of any bird; yet men, though warned, rush headlong into destruction.

Therefore, let the Church be warned and armed. Let us not be joined to those who call evil good and good evil. Let us not share in the works of darkness but rather reprove them. Let our unity be in the Spirit, our purse be in the treasury of heaven, and our lot be in the inheritance of the saints.

Do not desire the bread of deceitful men, nor be drawn by the fellowship of falsehood. Set your affection on things above, where Christ sits at the right hand of God. Count not yourself rich because of earthly gain shared among transgressors, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.

If you would have treasure, let it be the wisdom that comes from above. If you would cast your lot, let it be at the feet of the Redeemer. If you would have one purse, let it be in the fellowship of the righteous, whose hearts are knit together in truth, and whose reward is incorruptible.

To the young, I say: heed not the peer who flatters with enticing words. To the old, I say: warn the next generation with the voice of wisdom. To the Church, I say: cling to the way of righteousness. The day is at hand when the Judge shall weigh every purse and test every lot. Let it be found that yours is with the Lamb.

Now unto Him who is the Wisdom of God and the Power of God—our Lord Jesus Christ—be glory and dominion both now and ever. May the fear of the Lord be the treasure of your heart, and may your steps never stray from His path. Stand firm, discern the voices, reject the snare, and walk with those whose names are written in the Book of Life.

Amen.

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O Righteous and Eternal Father, Most High and Sovereign Lord, You who dwell in unapproachable light and judge the thoughts and intents of every heart—we come before You with reverence and trembling, giving thanks for Your Word, which is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. You are our portion and inheritance, our refuge and defense, the discerner of spirits and the guardian of the upright.

Lord, we acknowledge that in these last days, the voice of enticement is strong in the earth. The wicked stretch out their hands to the righteous, and the deceitful entice the simple with smooth speech. They say, “Cast in thy lot among us; let us all have one purse,” but their words are a net, and their fellowship is a snare. Therefore, we call upon You, O God of wisdom, to deliver us from the path of destruction and to preserve us from the fellowship of fools.

We pray, O Lord, that You would give Your people discernment in the inward parts. Let our ears be attuned to Your Spirit, that we may distinguish between the voice of the Shepherd and the whisper of the stranger. Guard us from every counterfeit unity that is not born of truth. Keep us from every purse that is filled by greed and maintained by violence. Let our hearts not envy the prosperity of the wicked, nor our hands be joined with them in unrighteous gain.

Establish our portion with the humble. Let us cast our lot with those who fear Your name, who walk in integrity, who treasure righteousness above riches. Let our unity be in the truth of the gospel and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, not in the common purse of lawless men. Let us be satisfied with godliness and contentment, which is great gain, and may we desire no reward but that which comes from Your hand.

O Lord, deliver the young from the snare of peer enticement. Shield their hearts from seductive alliances and empty promises. Let their companions be the wise and the upright, and let their steps be ordered in the fear of the Lord. Let every parent, elder, and leader in Your house cry aloud with wisdom’s voice, warning the simple and guiding the lost.

And if any of us, O Lord, have cast our lot where we ought not—if we have joined in compromise, if we have shared in unclean gain, if we have desired the purse of the wicked more than the path of the just—then grant us repentance. Turn us again to the narrow way. Cleanse our hands and purify our hearts. Restore to us the joy of fellowship with You and with the saints in light.

Let the Church of the living God shine as a beacon of holy separation. Let us be a people who dwell apart, not isolated from compassion, but distinct in conviction. May the world see that our treasure is not silver or gold, but Christ crucified and risen, and that we seek a city not made with hands, whose builder and maker is God.

Now, O Lord, grant unto us strength to say no when evil invites us. Let our delight be in Your law. Let our companionship be with the upright. Let our inheritance be with the saints. And let our hearts be wholly Yours, undivided, unentangled, and uncorrupted.

For Yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. In the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, who is our wisdom, our righteousness, our sanctification, and our redemption, we pray.

Amen.