"Labor not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom."
Proverbs 23:4
Part 3
Yesterday: Riches are only temporal. They do not last forever.
“To be rich.”
“Cease from thine own wisdom.” (a)
Don’t wear yourself out trying to get things that will not count in eternity!
Today: Give up all your little schemes and strategies to get rich quickly! Spend your life for the Lord.
“Cease from thine own wisdom.” (b)
There are so many “get rich quick” programs and plans out there. But no one seems to ask what God thinks about them.
How does “I know how I’m going to get rich!” square with, “Lord, give us this day our daily bread?” (Matthew 6:11). How does “I have a great plan, and I’ll be set for life!” fit in with, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you?” (Matthew 6:33). These ideas do not match!
Jesus taught us, “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Matthew 6:19-21).
The motivation to get wealthy is a sneaky trap! How many people have ruined their lives running headlong after money and things? How many “believers” have given up their faith in their pursuit of “the good life?” How sad!
“But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. 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” (1 Timothy 6:9-10).
Please remember, we don’t have to have any money to be guilty of “loving money.”
Friends, we who love the Lord Jesus Christ must forsake our plans and worldly dreams of wealth to follow God’s plan for our lives. If the Lord provides you with riches, praise Him, and use it to help further His Kingdom! If God has chosen to withhold riches, praise Him! He will provide for your need, this He has promised (Matthew 6).
Believers, we must keep Jesus Christ in first place on the throne of our hearts. We give up our rights and plans for Him.
“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5).
“Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!” (Isaiah 5:21).
“Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits” (Romans 12:6).
The believer’s life is never about his or her desires for worldly comfort. We live for Jesus! It is His glory that we seek, not our own. All of these ideas about how we can be rich and be somebody someday are not ideas from God or His Word! If you are “in Christ,” you are somebody right now! You are God’s child! Be content in Him.
“And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages” (Luke 3:14).
“Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: everywhere and in all things, I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need” (Philippians 4:11-12).
“And having food and raiment let us be therewith content” (1 Timothy 6:8).
Quote: “God, you have made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless till they find their rest in you”[1] (Augustine of Hippo). Our hearts can never be content without Jesus and without being obedient to Him.
[1] Augustine’s quote Downloaded: Sunday, May 9, 2021. From: https://thepastorsworkshop.com/sermon-quotes-by-topic/sermon-quotes-contentment/. Augustine lived from November 13, 354, to August 28, 430. He “was a theologian, philosopher, and the bishop of Hippo Regius in Numidia, Roman North Africa” (see article in Wikipedia, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Augustine_of Hippo, also Downloaded: Sunday, May 9, 2021).