Reading
SAA Notes
Many of the proverbs were intended as guidance for those working in public service in the execution of their duties. You will notice several today that impinge on issues of government and society, or government and its employees.
SJA Notes
“Do not toil to acquire wealth; be discerning enough to desist. When your eyes light on it, it is gone, for suddenly it sprouts wings, flying like an eagle toward heaven.” 23 v4-5
What do we work for? What is our purpose? Why do we go about creating or reporting or relating?
Solomon tells us a simple truth here. Don’t work for the purpose of getting money. Don’t let that be the REASON you work.
Instead, the godly are to be those who work for the Lord – Paul tells us this in Colossians 3, “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for me,”
So the Lord is to be our reason for work.
Temporal (earthly) wealth is fleeting. It doesn’t last. It cannot last.
But there is wealth that is eternal. In 1 Peter 1 we are encouraged to remember that we are born again, “… To an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, …”
Paul layers over this in Ephesians, “But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ – by grace you have been saved – and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, …”
This is the wealth we have, the treasure!
Eternal life is ours, a saved life now, and life with Jesus in glory!
Praise God that He gives us treasure that doesn’t fade, wealth that stays and is secure.
Praise God for Jesus! Through whom we gain this inheritance.
Oh Lord, thank You that You are the creator, sustainer and life-giver! Fix our eyes on Jesus and not on the world, not on wealth that sprouts wings and flies away. Set our minds on things above, looking forward to being seated with Jesus in the heavenly places.
Amen.