With his permission, I will be posting periodically a series of devotionals on the subject of money written by a good friend of mine who has opted to remain nameless. I'll call the series "Proverbs & Money" (P&M) and post a new segment near the beginning of each week.
I trust you'll profit from his studies in God's Word (pun intended).
“Treasures gained by wickedness do not profit,
but righteousness delivers from death.”
Proverbs 10:2
Here Solomon outlines for us an interesting paradox when he states that certain gains do not profit. Solomon does not deny that wickedness can, and often does, produce interim results. However, these types of gains will actually turn out to be long-run losses if obtained by short-sighted schemes. The temporarily bulging profits of the wicked will inevitably be depleted by gaping holes in their purses. They will plant, harvest, eat, and drink, but never have their fill (Haggai 1:6).
Conversely, the Lord delivers the righteous from the ultimate market downturn, “death”. In the short run (our earthly life), the righteous can expect to suffer want and be at the doorstep of ruin, even if that ruin only comes in terminal form. I know this is news to some, but we will all die. An even bigger shocker is this: we will not take our earthly gains with us. However, we are reminded that God is at the ready in such occasions to deliver His children from ultimate impoverishment.
What kind of an investor are you? Are you trying to maximize short-term gains? Rather, why don’t you invest for the long-term? Ask God to give you a vision of NOT what you will need for retirement, but what you will need for eternity. Remember this: the world and everything in it will pass away, but the one who does the will of God lives forever (1 John 2:17).
but righteousness delivers from death.”
Proverbs 10:2
Here Solomon outlines for us an interesting paradox when he states that certain gains do not profit. Solomon does not deny that wickedness can, and often does, produce interim results. However, these types of gains will actually turn out to be long-run losses if obtained by short-sighted schemes. The temporarily bulging profits of the wicked will inevitably be depleted by gaping holes in their purses. They will plant, harvest, eat, and drink, but never have their fill (Haggai 1:6).
Conversely, the Lord delivers the righteous from the ultimate market downturn, “death”. In the short run (our earthly life), the righteous can expect to suffer want and be at the doorstep of ruin, even if that ruin only comes in terminal form. I know this is news to some, but we will all die. An even bigger shocker is this: we will not take our earthly gains with us. However, we are reminded that God is at the ready in such occasions to deliver His children from ultimate impoverishment.
What kind of an investor are you? Are you trying to maximize short-term gains? Rather, why don’t you invest for the long-term? Ask God to give you a vision of NOT what you will need for retirement, but what you will need for eternity. Remember this: the world and everything in it will pass away, but the one who does the will of God lives forever (1 John 2:17).
No comments:
Post a Comment