Belonging and Becoming: The Way of Righteousness
Proverbs 10
What comes to mind when you hear the word righteousness? For many of us, it’s a churchy word we’ve heard a hundred times—but if we’re honest, it still feels a little vague. Is it about being good? Is it about following rules? Is it something we strive for or something we already have?
Proverbs 10 offers a deeper and more life-giving vision. In this chapter, we begin to see that righteousness isn’t just about behavior—it’s about belonging. Through Jesus, we’ve been made right with God. That means righteousness is both relational (who we are as God’s children) and moral (how we live as God’s people).
As Solomon begins this long list of proverbs, patterns emerge. When we step back, we see three themes surface: the life, the words, and the legacy of righteousness.
1. The Life of Righteousness
Proverbs reminds us that righteousness shapes how we live every day—especially in our families and work. A wise child brings joy to their parents, and a diligent worker honors God through thoughtful labor. But all of this flows not from striving, but from knowing who we belong to. We are God’s children, and we live like it.
2. The Words of Righteousness
Our speech is one of the clearest reflections of what’s going on in our hearts. Proverbs 10 says the mouth of the righteous is a “fountain of life” and “feeds many.” That’s a powerful image—our words can refresh, nourish, and bring healing. But they can also harm or divide. The good news is we learn to speak rightly by first listening to the voice of our Heavenly Father. As He speaks love and truth over us, we become people who do the same for others.
3. The Legacy of Righteousness
We often think about legacy in terms of accomplishments. But Proverbs challenges us to consider something deeper. The righteous leave behind something eternal—not because of what they achieve, but because of who they trust. Their hope, their joy, and their security are rooted in God, who gives freely and faithfully. The legacy of righteousness is a life well-loved and well-lived in Christ.
So, righteousness isn’t just a spiritual idea or a list of moral checkboxes—it’s a life anchored in the Father’s love and shaped by His wisdom. It’s about belonging to God and becoming more like Him every day.
Reflection Questions
When you think about righteousness, do you think more about behavior or identity? How might those two work together?
How is God inviting you to bring wisdom and diligence into your home or workplace this week?
What do your words reflect about your heart? Are they a “fountain of life” to others?
How have you experienced God’s love and nourishment recently? How can you pass that on to someone else?
What kind of legacy do you want to leave—and how might righteousness reframe that goal?
