Matthew Henry Commentary Proverbs 3:7-12

"Be not wise in thine own eyes; Fear Jehovah, and depart from evil: It will be health to thy navel, And marrow to thy bones. Honor Jehovah with thy substance, And with the first-fruits of all thine increase: So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, And thy vats shall overflow with new wine. My son, despise not the chastening of Jehovah; Neither be weary of his reproof: For whom Jehovah loveth he reproveth; Even as a father the son in whom he delighteth." — Proverbs 3:7-12 (ASV)

There is not a greater enemy to the fear of the Lord in the heart than self-conceit of our own wisdom. The prudence and sobriety which religion teaches tend not only to the health of the soul, but to the health of the body.

Worldly wealth is merely a poor substance; yet, such as it is, we must honour God with it, and those who do good with what they have will have more to do more good with.

Should the Lord visit us with trials and sickness, let us not forget that the exhortation speaks to us as children, for our good. We must not faint under an affliction, however heavy and long it may be, nor be driven to despair or use wrong means for relief.

The father corrects the son whom he loves, because he loves him and desires that he may be wise and good. Afflictions are so far from doing God's children any hurt, that, by the grace of God, they promote their holiness.