Proverbs 11 on Money
The book of Proverbs is full of timely and ever-practical wisdom. Today as I was meditating on Proverbs 11, one thing that stuck out to me was the counsel of Solomon on money.
How timely this advice is for the fast-approaching Christmas season.
How are you spending your money? What types of things is your heart valuing / desiring / delighting in?
Here is some eternal perspective warning against seeking earthly treasure and wealth.
Prov 11.4 – Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death.
Prov 11.7 – When the wicked dies, his hope will perish, and the expectation of wealth perishes too.
Prov 11.18 – The wicked earns deceptive wages, but one who sows righteousness gets a sure reward.
And here is some counsel on how to go about investing your earthly treasures for true, spiritual good.
Prov 11.24-26 – One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want. Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered. The people curse him who holds back grain, but a blessing is on the head of him who sells it.
Prov 11.28 — Whoever trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like a green leaf.
How will you spend this Christmas? How will you give this Christmas? Will you do so with a view to receiving in return, even if it’s just some warm fuzzies? Even the biggest hypocrites around can do that (Matt 5.46-47).
Or will you give to those who can’t give back? Will you give anonymously? Will you find those in need in your local church and seek to be a blessing to them–because you know it’s pleasing to God?
Here’s an encouraging thought to end with. Those who walk in blameless ways (like giving freely to those in need) are God’s ‘delight’ (Prov 11.20) As you seek to reflect Christ to the glory of God, ministering to the needs of those around you, you have this assurance: God himself takes delight in you.
What could be a more joyful thought than that?
Related posts:
