In today’s world, there is a lot of temptation to acquire wealth through means that are not aligned with biblical principles. Whether through shortcuts, dishonesty, or unethical practices, many seek to build wealth in ways that harm others and ultimately leave them unfulfilled. But what does the Bible say about wealth, especially the “wealth of the wicked” concept as found in Proverbs 13:22? 

This blog will explore how we can build wealth God’s way—in His timing and according to His principles. Proverbs 13:22 encourages us that, ultimately, the wealth of the wicked will transfer to the righteous. This principle is a promise for those of us who want to see the Body of Christ control the finances of our cities and nations!

Proverbs 13 22 Meaning

 Proverbs 13:22 says, “A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, but the wealth of the wicked is stored up for the righteous.” 

Let’s break down the main words in that verse:

1. Inheritance

The word inheritance in Proverbs 13:22 is defined as land, assets, and resources acquired or possessed. It reflects God’s heart for families and their values to continue for generations. God’s command to Abraham is a biblical guideline for inheritance: “And God said to Abraham, ‘As for you, you shall keep my covenant, you and your offspring after you throughout their generations'” (Genesis 17:9). Similarly, we should leave an inheritance with the notion that we want our family to continue for generations in a covenant that honors God.

2. Wealth:

The Book of Proverbs depicts wealth in various ways that reflect God’s principles of prosperity. Understanding the biblical view of wealth is crucial to interpreting Proverbs 13:22.

Wealth is:

• A Blessing from God: Proverbs 10:22 states, “The blessing of the Lord brings wealth, without painful toil for it.” 
• Requires Diligence and Hard Work: Proverbs 10:4 teaches, “Lazy hands make for poverty, but diligent hands bring wealth.”
• Attracted, Not Pursued: Proverbs 23:4 says, “Do not wear yourself out to get rich; do not trust your own cleverness.” 
• Subordinate to Wisdom: Proverbs 16:16 declares, “How much better to get wisdom than gold, to get insight rather than silver!” 
• Attracted Through Generosity: Proverbs 11:25 reminds us, “A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.” 

3. The Righteous and the Wicked

A common theme in Proverbs is the contrast between the prosperity of the righteous and the downfall of the wicked. In Hebrew, the word for righteous is tsaddiqim, meaning “just” or “lawful.” Proverbs 11:10 says, “When the righteous prosper, the city rejoices.” This is significant because the prosperity of the righteous brings blessings not just to them but to the community around them.

On the other hand, wicked people act out of selfishness, greed, and injustice, often prioritizing their own needs above the well-being of others. Proverbs 14:31 states, “Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.” This defines the wicked as those who exploit others for personal gain, contrasting them with the righteous, who are characterized by their generosity and willingness to serve the community.

In her book Kingdom Calling, Amy Sherman quotes Reverend Tim Keller to further unpack the character of these “righteous” people:

“The righteous in the book of Proverbs are by definition those who are willing to disadvantage themselves for the community while the wicked are those who put their own economic, social, and personal needs ahead of the needs of the community.”

What is the wealth of the wicked? The significance of Proverbs 13:22 for us today

Given that context, the wealth of the wicked is gained through unjust means, used for selfish purposes, and does not endure or satisfy.

Examples include:

• Billions of dollars generated from companies contributing to immoral causes such as abortion

• The $3,000 per second made through pornography in the United States

• Business people who exploit their workers to maximize profit

Like Job, we ask, “why do the wicked prosper, growing old and powerful?” (Job 21:7) Proverbs 13:22 makes it clear: This kind of wealth does not endure. The best way to build wealth that lasts is to be righteous. God designed us with a desire to be fruitful, multiply, and make a lasting impact. There is more than one way to leave an inheritance. At WealthBuilders, we want to equip people to impart spiritual and financial legacy.

Building wealth for future generations is a selfless act. It is like planting a tree you will never eat from. My friend, pastor, and real estate investor Dan Dyer gives one of the best teachings I’ve heard on generational wealth. He poses the following question in response to Proverbs 13:22:

“What if the wealth of the wicked is laid up for the righteous so that we can influence, impart, discover, develop, and deploy the next generation?” Dan asks, “The next generation is our glory and the Lord’s inheritance.”

How Proverbs 13:22 Leads To Generational Wealth

Proverbs 13:22 does not mean that God will steal money out of some people’s safes and drop it on the laps of others. To be honest, this is where many prosperity teachers have gone wrong. They tell you that you can prosper, but they do not tell you how to prosper. Money does not rain down from the sky (but if you happen to see that, please let me know.) Jokes aside, wealth in the earth simply changes hands.

Proverbs 13:22 describes a cycle that outlines how we leave a legacy. First, the righteous attain the wealth of the wicked. Then, they use it to leave an inheritance for their children. 

Here’s the key: those children must be taught how to steward their money so they can keep wealth in the family. Otherwise, their wealth will fall to the wicked until the next righteous generation. Pay attention here: 90% of wealthy families lose their wealth by the third generation. As Kingdom wealth builders, it is imperative to teach our kids and grandkids how to build generational wealth.

Here are 3 ways you can be ready to receive the wealth of the wicked:

1. Get knowledge to build generational wealth

You need knowledge in order to recognize a good opportunity when it comes to you. I’m preaching to the choir—if you are on the WealthBuilders blog, you’re already hungry for information. That’s a great start! I encourage you to fully commit to the journey. You do not know what you do not know. Consume a steady, well-rounded diet of financial content. Read books, listen to podcasts, subscribe to financial e-newsletters, ask questions, and surround yourself with trusted mentors. The 2025 WealthBuilders Conference is a great place to hear from expert speakers who have built generational wealth and want to teach you to do the same. Click here to learn more and register for The 2025 WealthBuilders Conference.

2. Be fruitful, multiply, and replenish 

The wealth of the wicked is laid up for the righteous, but the righteous don’t know how to get it. This is where Genesis 1:28 comes into play:

“And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.”

Be fruitful by increasing your income and decreasing your expenses. Then, start multiplying with your “fruit.” Nobody became wealthy by earning and saving. Invest in assets that pay you income on a monthly, quarterly, and annual basis. After you’ve been fruitful and multiplied, God calls you to take it further—to replenish areas that have been claimed by the enemy, to build new cities, and to establish new territories for His Kingdom.

This is where the wealth transfer happens. As you partner with God to replenish the earth, He will give you the wealth of the wicked. Just as God dispossessed the Promised Land of Israel’s enemies before the Israelites possessed it, God goes before us so we can replenish the areas He has planned for us. 

3. Invest in a biblically responsible way to build generational wealth.

There are systemic reasons why the wicked have wealth in the first place. The stock market is full of companies that support abortion, human trafficking, and pornography. When people invest in those companies, more wealth is quite literally handed over to the wicked. However, there is good news: you can be a conscientious investor for the Kingdom of Heaven. 

The Biblically Responsible Investing movement is gaining momentum. A Biblically Responsible Investment strategy avoids investments that support causes contrary to a biblical worldview. When you invest in companies that promote human flourishing, you actively transfer money to the righteous.

(This post was originally published on December 6, 2023, and has since been updated to serve you with more accurate and comprehensive content.)

Learn More: Watch Generational Wealth: Building a Legacy That Lasts