“The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat. “
- Proverbs 13:4
“Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase.”
- Proverbs 13:11
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Since God is just, He gives all mankind the exact same amount of time each day… ( life and living is true wealth ), and roughly the same lifetime. We as individuals, make choices as to how we spend that currency….
Those that simply desire wealth, but do not —work— to acquire it WILL be disappointed ( Text 1 this week ).
Seeking money through wickedness/shortcuts is similarly deprecated ( Text 2 ) as it is forecast to slip away.
When the LORD says that the Righteous will be rewarded ( Prosperity ), He is speaking the Truth.
When Christ says that in this world, His followers will suffer tribulation ( Adversity ) … He is speaking the Truth !!
How do we reconcile these two poles (which seem to be as far apart as North and South ) with a prosperity gospel that says since Christ took our sin, we are to expect only the Lords FAVOR in the life that remains.
The answer lies in the assertion that “ God is just “. It means that He cannot break His own rules and be untrue to His nature… ( yes… there are some things He CANNOT do e.g, lie, overlook sin ) —- and one of them is being partial to anyone.
In the book of Ezekiel, a very interesting question is asked… “Son of man, What is the vine tree more than any tree, or than a branch which is among the trees of the forest?” - Ezekiel 15:2
This was a ringing indictment of the people of God, who THOUGHT THEY WERE SPECIAL …and that the rules did not apply to them ?
“ Therefore, thus says the Lord God, ‘As the wood of the vine among the trees of the forest, which I have given to the fire for fuel, so have I given up the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and I set My face against them.
Though they have come out of the fire, yet the fire will consume them. Then you will know that I am the Lord, when I set My face against them.
Thus I will make the land desolate, because they have acted unfaithfully,’ ” declares the Lord God. “
- Ezekiel 15:6-8
John 3:16 tells us - God so loved the —world— …. not just the children of Israel !!! The offer of Salvation is global …to all!
With that Salvation, and being made Children of the Most High, we now have to deal with living up to the standards of the King.
Walking in Grace, Truth as much as it is possible for us, clinging firmly to the hem of Christ’s righteousness and pleading our case before Him when ( not if! ) we fall short….
His perfect Law brings every action into judgment —-irrespective of the Christian/non Christian label we might stick on a person.
His justice will not allow ANYONE to skate, but equally, will not let Him overlook the GOOD and Righteous, whatever the label might be!
If, as a Christian, you do evil, you might be spared from Hell, but you will see and experience the just consequences of your actions, in your lifetime. Those —were YOUR choices, and you, and only you, are ACCOUNTABLE for them to Him.
Make wise choices…. ( that’s why we are studying the book of Proverbs ) —— for it is those wise choices that bring about RIGHTFUL prosperity, and peace with our fellow men.
Be mindful and diligent to do your best at whatever it is you are asked to do… and take joy in doing a good job! Explore other vocations in your spare time to see if He would reveal , and open doors for you to work in your true calling, so you CAN enjoy your work! Help others in your spare time, and you WILL be rewarded …. twice ! … both here, and in Heaven.
We are to be the salt of the earth, but if we lose our saltiness (Yeshua very kindly breaks it to us), we are good for nothing!
No, we are to be just like TREES ( remember Ezekiel ) , and grow ——where we are planted—— , bringing forth good fruit! The Lord will plant our feet in good soil and water our souls.
All of Creation surrounding us is screaming in our face that this very REAL Universe operates under Laws…. let’s live in ——harmony—— with the Creator, else our Adversity will be our own fault!
Lead us not into temptation, deliver us from evil Lord !!
Hallelujah!!!