Day 28: Wealth - part 2
In the Parable of the Rich Man, the rich man said, "I will say to my soul, "Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry."' But God said to him, 'Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?' So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God (Luke 12:19-21)." Materialism is a subtle danger and it will always lure us away from God. The cure is a new heart in Christ Jesus, so that we trade the things of this earth for things eternal.
In these proverbs we see that poverty can cause difficulty in life, yet the rich man may face more threats (Prov. 13:8). We are warned against making money quickly; better bit by bit (Prov. 13:11). Work creates mess, but without it there would be no profit, just as a clean stable means empty storehouses (Prov. 14:4). Wealthy men often feel accountable to nobody and so speak roughly (Prov. 18:23). May we never fall into that way of speaking!
Always choose poverty with righteousness over wealth with injustice (Prov. 16:8). Such humility the Lord exalts.
The ransom of a man's life is his wealth, but a poor man hears no threat.
- Prov. 13:8
Wealth gained hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it.
- Prov. 13:11
A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children, but the sinner's wealth is laid up for the righteous.
- Prov. 13:22
Where there are no oxen, the manger is clean, but abundant crops come by the strength of the ox.
- Prov. 14:4
The poor is disliked even by his neighbour, but the rich has many friends.
- Prov. 14:20
The crown of the wise is their wealth, but the folly of fools brings folly.
- Prov. 14:24
Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues with injustice.
- Prov. 16:8
A rich man's wealth is his strong city, and like a high wall in his imagination.
- Prov. 18:11
The poor use entreaties, but the rich answer roughly.
- Prov. 18:23
Father, You are wise in every area of life. Wealth is a trap that can cause us to speak roughly with others. It lures with promises of happiness, but we would rather poverty with righteousness than wealth with sin. Please disentangle us from anything, such as wealth, which would take us from You.
In Jesus' Name,
Amen.
- Graham Barnes
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