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 10:15-17:(KJV):
15 The rich man's wealth is his strong city: the destruction of the poor is their poverty.
16 The labour of the righteous tendeth to life: the fruit of the wicked to sin.
17 He is in the way of life that keepeth instruction: but he that refuseth reproof erreth.

Proverbs 10:15-17:(Amplified):
15 The rich man's wealth is his strong city; the poverty of the poor is their ruin.
16 The earnings of the righteous -- the upright in right standing with God -- lead to life; but the profit of the wicked leads to further sin.
17 He who heeds instruction and correction is (not only himself) in the way of life, but is a way of life for others. And he who neglects or refuses reproof (not only himself) goes astray, but causes to err and is a path toward ruin for others.

Thoughts for the Day:

Proverbs continues to explain how righteous labor brings prosperity, while the sins that lead to poverty bring destruction. Some men are born into wealth, while others are born into poverty. Either of these conditions does not hinder God from using a person to serve Him.  Some people think that because someone is rich that they cannot serve God as they quote these words: "Money is the root of all evil."  This is not an accurate quote of 1Timothy 6:10 which actually says, "For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows." Notice this scripture says it is the "love" of money that is sin, not having money.  Coveting and chasing after money at all costs, is the sin. Sin is not in things. Sin is in the heart of man. Sin comes when people use money wrongly.

Money is an amoral object designed to be medium of exchange. Used correctly, it is not evil, but can bring blessings to many people and the work of God.   However, the spirit of mammon, and the love of money has also brought many people to their ruin. The Bible warns those who are rich in this world not to get puffed up by it, nor put their trust in it.

1 Timothy 6:17-19: "Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; 18 That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; 19 Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life."

These scriptures exhort those who have riches to use it properly. They certainly may enjoy the things wealth can buy, if their hearts are not set on these things. However, they are also charged to use their money to do good and to distribute their riches to those in need and to the work of the gospel. But above all else, they are to store up eternal rewards by seeking to obey God in all things to obtain the true riches of God which cannot be purchased with money.

Luke 16:11 "If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?"

What are the true riches?

1 Timothy 6:10-12: "For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. 12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses."

Proverbs 10:16 above tells us that the way out of poverty is through labor. Even if one is born in poverty, through Christ and His teachings, he can rise above his lot in life, as God's blessings always follow His obedient children. Those who are poor in this world do not have to wait to receive the true riches that belong to them. Those riches come through a relationship with Jesus Christ. Every Christian whether rich or poor in this world, is promised daily provision of their needs. Those who are poor may ask God for daily bread and God's promise is to supply that need.  Those who are rich may need grace and guidance with all the responsibilities that come with wealth.  In Christ, we can all pray the prayer that the Apostle Paul prayed.

Philippians 4:11-13: "Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. 12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."

Poverty is not from God. However, at times in this world, we can be subject to it. Every where the gospel message goes, those who know Christ begin to work at overcoming the things that produce poverty, filth and ignorance. Proverbs 10:17 tells us that we need the instruction of God to walk in the way of life. We all must be reproved at times, if we are to avoid the things that could lead to ruin and poverty.   Some men face poverty when they lose their riches and have to start all over again.   They need to find out why this happened and ask God if perhaps the love of money became more important to them, than serving God.  We should all have a teachable spirit so that God can correct us and we can walk in victory in spite of our current status.

Prayer for the Day:

Dear Father, You are very gracious to all of Your children, and I thank You for all the many material blessings You have given us in this nation. Lord, help us to be good stewards over these things and not use them unwisely.  Help us to be generous in our giving, and follow You, as to the people and the works You would like us to help. Help us not to get so busy enjoying our blessings, that we forget the One who gave us those blessings. Deliver us from the spirit of mammon and any trace of the love of money.  Lord, help me to make my decisions not based on whether I have the money or lack the money to do something, but rather based on, is it Your will that I do this thing. I know if You want me to do something that is Your will for me, You will supply the means to do it, if I trust and obey You. Thank you for the faith to do Your will.  I ask this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.