Christian Devotional – September 28, 2019

Money and possessions. It matters how we respond to money and possessions. Will we use wisdom in dealing with both the those areas? Read Proverbs 28.

Wisdom and Money – Proverbs 28:1-11

The wicked flee when no one is pursuing, But the righteous are bold as a lion. By the transgression of a land many are its princes, But by a man of understanding and knowledge, so it endures. A poor man who oppresses the lowly Is like a driving rain which leaves no food. Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, But those who keep the law strive with them. Evil men do not understand justice, But those who seek the Lord understand all things. Better is the poor who walks in his integrity Than he who is crooked though he be rich. He who keeps the law is a discerning son, But he who is a companion of gluttons humiliates his father. He who increases his wealth by interest and usury Gathers it for him who is gracious to the poor. He who turns away his ear from listening to the law, Even his prayer is an abomination. He who leads the upright astray in an evil way Will himself fall into his own pit, But the blameless will inherit good. The rich man is wise in his own eyes, But the poor who has understanding sees through him.
Proverbs 28:1‭-‬11 NASB
https://bible.com/bible/100/pro.28.1-11.NASB

How do we view money? Is it tool or master? If we’re using wisdom with how we approach our money, that will impact whether we borrow money or whether we loan money to others and how we respond to others if we do loan money to them. All of these areas are addressed in this chapter, yet they go against much of what we learn in see in today’s culture and society. With credit so readily available, it’s easy to end up spending money that we don’t have. Are we using wisdom when we use money?

Wisdom and Possessions – Proverbs 28:12-28

When the righteous triumph, there is great glory, But when the wicked rise, men hide themselves. He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, But he who confesses and forsakes them will find compassion. How blessed is the man who fears always, But he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity. Like a roaring lion and a rushing bear Is a wicked ruler over a poor people. A leader who is a great oppressor lacks understanding, But he who hates unjust gain will prolong his days. A man who is laden with the guilt of human blood Will be a fugitive until death; let no one support him. He who walks blamelessly will be delivered, But he who is crooked will fall all at once. He who tills his land will have plenty of food, But he who follows empty pursuits will have poverty in plenty. A faithful man will abound with blessings, But he who makes haste to be rich will not go unpunished. To show partiality is not good, Because for a piece of bread a man will transgress. A man with an evil eye hastens after wealth And does not know that want will come upon him. He who rebukes a man will afterward find more favor Than he who flatters with the tongue. He who robs his father or his mother And says, “It is not a transgression,” Is the companion of a man who destroys. An arrogant man stirs up strife, But he who trusts in the Lord will prosper. He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, But he who walks wisely will be delivered. He who gives to the poor will never want, But he who shuts his eyes will have many curses. When the wicked rise, men hide themselves; But when they perish, the righteous increase.
Proverbs 28:12‭-‬28 NASB
https://bible.com/bible/100/pro.28.12-28.NASB

Just like with money, our possessions and the way we think about them is a question to ask ourselves. It’s not that money or possessions are bad. Many godly people have a lot of money and a lot of possessions. The issue has to do with our attitude toward those things. Just like in these verses, we see our attitude toward the things around us as being what determines whether we’re using wisdom with those possessions or not. How do we use the stuff that God has allowed us the opportunity to have? Are we using it for his glory or for our own?