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What does Proverbs 23:5 mean?

Money disappears in a flash. It sprouts wings and flies off like an eagle into the sky. Proverbs 23:5 - Modern Text Bible

(Wealth is fleeting and unreliable, so don’t put your trust in it.)

Money is slippery—it can vanish before you know it, no matter how hard you chase after it. The verse uses the image of wealth growing wings and flying away like an eagle. The Hebrew word for "sprout wings" is ya'uf, meaning to fly or soar away. It's a poetic way to say that riches are never as secure as they seem.

This verse pushes back against the idea that money is a solid foundation for your life. In a world obsessed with getting and keeping wealth, it reminds you that even the best financial plans can fall apart in an instant. Chasing money as if it will guarantee happiness or security is a risky bet.

If you've ever watched your savings disappear because of an emergency or seen how quickly things can change, this verse rings true. It encourages you to put your trust in things that last—relationships, character, wisdom—rather than in wealth that can take flight when you least expect it.