Contradiction with Proverbs 28:20
Proverbs 28:20 speaks to the blessings and security of being faithful and honest, whereas Proverbs 30:9 warns against the potential moral pitfalls of having too much and becoming discontent.
Proverbs 28:20: A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent. [innocent: or, unpunished]
Contradiction with Mark 10:25
Mark 10:25 illustrates how difficult it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God, while Proverbs 30:9 warns against the potential self-reliance and forgetfulness of God that riches might bring.
Mark 10:25: It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
Contradiction with 1 Timothy 6:10
1 Timothy 6:10 presents money as a root of all evil leading to various temptations, whereas Proverbs 30:9 warns against both poverty leading to theft and riches leading to denial of God.
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]
Paradox #1
Proverbs 30:9 might seem to conflict with the idea that material wealth is a blessing from God. It suggests avoiding both poverty and riches to prevent dishonest behavior or denial of God, which could challenge interpretations that consider wealth as a straightforward sign of God's favor.
Paradox #2
Proverbs 30:9 involves a desire for balance, wishing neither to be rich nor poor to avoid moral pitfalls. The conflict arises from the moral challenges: wealth might lead to forgetting or denying a need for God, while poverty might tempt one to steal and dishonor God's name. This presents a contradiction where both states, rich and poor, can lead to negative moral outcomes, suggesting a difficulty in maintaining virtue regardless of one's material condition.