A faithful man will abound with blessing, but whoever hastens to be rich will not go unpunished. – Proverbs 28:20
What is wrong with being rich? Absolutely nothing! The person declared to be the wisest ever to live, Solomon, was also one of the richest. The combination of wisdom and wealth was part of God’s blessing in his life. You probably know many people seeking to be wealthy like Solomon and, hopefully, a few seeking to be wise as well!
When God was bringing His people, the ancient Israelite nation, into their abundant land of promise, He reminded them of where they had come from: a life of slavery in a pagan culture, and a terrifying journey in a wilderness filled with constant danger from starvation, thirst, poisonous snakes and scorpions. While the whole tribe longed for the prosperity and security offered in their new homeland, they were given a strong admonition as they entered, “Beware lest you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth.’ You shall remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth… and if you forget the LORD your God and go after other gods and serve them and worship them, I solemnly warn you today that you shall surely perish” (Deuteronomy 8:17-19).
Pray for America, which has been one of the richest nations on Earth, to steward God’s blessing well. Call upon Him to forgive past missteps not acknowledging His hand of provision. Ask that a new day of faith and gratitude will emerge across the land, ushered in by leaders and citizens humble in heart, seeking Godly wisdom to manage the blessing and responsibility of this wealth.
Today’s Verse: Proverbs 28:20
A faithful man will abound with blessings,
but whoever hastens to be rich will not go unpunished.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: 1 Timothy 6:1-12
6 Let all who are under a yoke as bondservants regard their own masters as worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and the teaching may not be reviled. 2 Those who have believing masters must not be disrespectful on the ground that they are brothers; rather they must serve all the better since those who benefit by their good service are believers and beloved.
Teach and urge these things. 3 If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, 4 he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, 5 and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain. 6 But godliness with contentment is great gain, 7 for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. 8 But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. 9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.
11 But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
