Subject: Nature of sin and man

Proverbs 1:19 (ESV Strong's)
Such are the ways of everyone who is greedy for unjust gain;
it takes away the life of its possessors.

Subject:  Nature of sin and man

There is some confusion among commentators as to the exact meaning of the above proverb.   It is actually the third proverb in a "sentence" describing what is going to happen to someone who doesn't heed the warnings of this book.   There is confusion surrounding "who" they are referring to.   The above proverb is clarified in the ESV that we are referring to "everyone who is greedy for unjust gain.".  The key thought is offered that those who desire advancement of possessions will, in the end, be lose their lives to that pursuit.   This entire last portion of this chapter is about the wicked who pursue "all precious goods" (verse 13).  The want to throw all their possessions into "one purse" (verse 14).   They attempt to attack the righteous for the purpose of obtaining their goods.   Yet, in the end, the goods own them and not the other way around.   This is the nature of sin and the nature of man, without the Gospel.   Man wants what man doesn't have.  Man wants what others have.  Man wants!!  Yet, that "want" will eventually own the man.   The greedy pursuit of unjust gain (gain obtained without God's blessing and via God's plan) will result in the taking away of your life rather than giving you life.  Those who are "owned" by their jobs and careers comes to mind when we read this verse.   Their pursuit for a career and success eventually steals their life.