Daily Devotional Betty Miller shares her daily devotionals which are based on the book of Proverbs in
the Bible.
The Wisdom of God
Verses for the Day:
Proverbs
27:23-24 (KJV):
23 Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds.
24 For riches are not for ever: and doth the crown endure to every generation?
Proverbs
27:23-24 (AMP): 23 Be diligent to know the
state of your flocks, and look well to your herds;
24 For riches are not forever; does a crown endure to all generations?
Thoughts for the Day:
These verses
from Proverbs exhort us to be diligent in how we
handle our business affairs, because even if we have riches and fame at a
point in time, that status can change. to take our responsibility over
the operation of them, in regard to knowing the state of our business affairs.
In Bible days, much of the commerce was in agriculture and farming. They were
told to watch over their flocks and herds. This meant, they were to make
provision for them, keep them safe, check on their numbers to make sure none
were missing, care for the wounded or sick ones, and pay special attention to
the new born babies.
In verse 23
we are admonished to take care for our business likewise, including our
household financial affairs. In our day, many people are filing for bankruptcies
and many of these could have been avoided if they had practiced diligence. Of
course, there are other factors that can lead to bankruptcy as well, such as
overextending oneself because of lust or greed, or lack of sound business
principles. Sometimes it is not a person's fault that they are forced into
bankruptcy, as they are victims of illnesses, tragedies or weather related
disasters, etc. However, those who lack diligence, and do not take care of their
business, will create problems that can cause them severe financial difficulties
that can lead to poverty.
Proverbs 10:4:
He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent
maketh rich.
Verse 24
says that riches may not last forever, just as a king will not rule throughout
every generation. At some point a new king will reign as the old one
passes on. I read this statement once, "Money talks, it says good-by." It
can say "good-by" in numerous ways. One of those ways is, as people age, their
work capacity diminishes and it usually affects their income by decreasing it.
If people do not use wisdom in their financial areas, they can spend up all
their money when they are young and have nothing to live on when they are old.
If we listen to the Lord, and apply good business principles in regard to our
finances, we can be assured that we will be taken care of when we are in our
senior years. Living a life for God is one of the best insurance policies
you can have. There are things that God does for you that no man can
provide; one of those is good health in old age. God promises that the righteous
can still bear fruit in old age. That means we will still be able to work and
produce.
Psalm 92:12-14:
12 The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar
in Lebanon.
13 Those that be planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts
of our God.
14 They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and
flourishing.
We must take our
responsibilities and be diligent, if we desire God's blessings in our lives. We
should not forget to help others along the way, too; as when we bless others,
those blessings will return to us in the form of our need.
Prayer for the Day:
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank You for Your abundant provision in my life. I am grateful, not only
for financial provision, but for the spiritual blessings that You have also
given me. I do appreciate daily strength and health so that I am able to
be diligent in all of my affairs. Give me wisdom so that I might prepare
for the future properly. Ultimately, my faith and trust are in You, as You
hold the future; however, may I not neglect those things in the natural that
need to be done, so that I am not ill prepared. Lord, also, I do not want to
forget to give and help others along the way as well. May I be a good steward
over all that You have given me. I ask this in the name of the Lord Jesus
Christ. Amen.
