Contradiction with Matthew 6:19
This verse advises against gathering earthly riches, emphasizing heavenly treasures instead, which contradicts pursuing wealth.
Matthew 6:19: Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
Contradiction with Matthew 6:24
This verse states that one cannot serve both God and money, suggesting a conflict in laboring to become rich.
Matthew 6:24: No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
Contradiction with 1 Timothy 6:10
This verse warns that the love of money is the root of all evil, contrary to working to accumulate it.
1 Timothy 6:10: For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. [erred: or, been seduced]
Contradiction with Hebrews 13:5
This verse encourages contentment with what one has, opposing the pursuit of wealth.
Hebrews 13:5: [Let your] conversation [be] without covetousness; [and be] content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
Contradiction with Luke 12:15
This verse warns against covetousness, implying that life is more than possessions and wealth.
Luke 12:15: And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.
Paradox #1
Proverbs 23:4 advises against exhausting oneself to gain wealth. The potential contradiction could be with other biblical passages that suggest hard work leads to prosperity, such as in Proverbs 10:4. This might seem inconsistent because one verse discourages striving for wealth, while another suggests success results from diligence. However, this can be reconciled by understanding the context, where the focus is on cautioning against the love of money and overexertion, rather than hard work itself.
Paradox #2
The potential contradiction might be between the idea of not overworking to gain wealth and other biblical teachings that emphasize hard work and diligence. Some parts of the Bible encourage working hard and being productive, which might seem inconsistent with advice against toiling too much for riches. However, it's often about finding a balanced approach between working diligently and not letting the pursuit of wealth consume you.
Paradox #3
Proverbs 23:4 could have a contradiction for those who believe that working hard to gain wealth is important and necessary, while the verse advises against exhausting oneself to become rich. This may seem inconsistent with the idea that diligence leads to success, creating a conflict between the pursuit of wealth and the suggestion to not overwork for it.