AP

Day 29: Wealth – part 3

Only that which is eternal remains, and the Lord Jesus said: “It is more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35).”

The proverbs teach us that in a fallen world, friendship can be fickle so that the wealthy person has many friends, but the poor person has nobody to stand by him (Prov. 19:4).

They also teach us that often wealth hurts more than it helps. Greed leads to ruin (Prov. 20:21). Surely, there are few who can hold wealth as our Lord would hold it! We pray for Paul’s attitude: “I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me (Phil 4:12-13).“ Poverty can feed discontent, envy and coveting. Wealth can feed vanity, discontent, entitlement, and pride.

Pleasure too, leads to poverty (Prov. 21:5). There is much to be said for simple living. Both rich and poor have this in common: the LORD has made each of us (Prov. 22:2). May that humble us and may earth’s treasures never hinder us from knowing heaven’s treasures.

Wealth brings many new friends, but a poor man is deserted by his friend.

– Prov. 19:4

Take a man’s garment when he has put up security for a stranger, and hold it in pledge when he puts up security for foreigners.

– Prov. 20:16

An inheritance gained hastily in the beginning will not be blessed in the end.

– Prov. 20:21

The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.

– Prov. 21:5

Whoever loves pleasure will be a poor man; he who loves wine and oil will not be rich.

– Prov. 21:17

The rich and the poor meet together; the Lord is the Maker of them all.

– Prov. 22:2

The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is the slave of the lender.

– Prov. 22:7

Whoever oppresses the poor to increase his own wealth, or gives to the rich, will only come to poverty.

– Prov. 22:16

Heavenly Father, in godliness with contentment there is much gain, so we ask that You would forgive us our resentment and discontent.

Forgive us entitlement. Instead, we trust that You are in control of all things and we rest ourselves in You.

Your Word says that the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil and when we desire it, it leads us away from You and does us damage. May the things of earth never hinder us from heaven.

We pray in our Saviour’s Name,

Amen.

– Graham Barnes