Like many, I have often thought of the “righteous” as referring to people pursuing personal holiness and obedience to God’s law, but that doesn’t come close to capturing the Bible’s fuller use of the term “righteous” (tsaddiqim).  The righteous are the just, the people who follow God’s heart and ways and who see everything they have as gifts from God to be stewarded for his purposes.  Tim Keller wrote, “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.”

One need only read Proverbs 11 to see the fullness of Keller’s definition.  Looking at Proverbs 11:10 in particular, we see the positive impact of the righteous on the city.  They rejoice when the righteous flourish (relationally, economically, socially, spiritually, etc), and it’s not the Phil Robertson (Duck Dynasty) version of “Happy, Happy” rejoicing.  According to Amy Sherman in her book, Kingdom Calling, ‘it is a VE-Day-type rejoicing, as in the war is over and we won’ rejoicing.”  Why? Sherman elaborates: 

“Because the tsaddiqim view their prosperity not as a means of self-enrichment or self-aggrandizement, but rather as a vehicle for blessing others, everyone benefits from their success.  As the tsaddiqim prosper, they steward everything–their money, vocational position and expertise, assets, resources, opportunities, education, relationships, social position, entree and networks–for the common good, for the advancing of God’s justice and shalom.  And when the people “at the top” act like this, the whole community cheers.  When the righteous prosper, their prosperity makes life better for all.”

I’m looking forward to our Fall Mission Conference where we’ll be unpacking this idea of “righteousness” and how we as a church can truly rejoice the city.