Proverbs 13:11, True Wealth – Heaven’s Wealth!

July 6, Proverbs 13:11

Luke 12:22-38 “Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour; working… the thing that is good”.

True Wealth – Heaven’s Wealth!

Wealth is good as testified by what it can do, and by how men strive after it. The Bible does not condemn wealth. Rather, it says, The love of money is the root of all evil (1 Tm. 6:10), but not money itself. Solomon said elsewhere money answereth all (Eccl. 10:19), but be careful you don’t miss the context. Money can provide both feast and wine; under the sun. Yet, even these are not the better things, but the poorer, as he has already shown (Eccl. 7:1-10). Only the currency of Heaven answers all things (Isa. 55).

1. How Made: We make wealth in one of two ways. a. By Stealth: That is, Wealth gotten by vanity. Vanity is the familiar word in Ecclesiastes. Vanity of vanities all is vanity. All vanity is mere vapour, bubbles in the air, colourful but soon bursts. Vanity sometimes refers to the idols of Israel as their vanities (Deut. 32:21), their emptiness, nothingness! It may include fraud, reckless speculation on the stock market, and all forms of gambling. This applies not only to individuals but also to nations. Our governments are exploiting the craving to get-rich-quick, to be instant millionaires. First they legalised one lottery, then a second, and a third, and where will it stop? Now our Provincial Treasurers gloat over the prospect of the billions that they anticipate from government run casinos! They are going to have money by stealth on the backs of those who can least afford it. There is another way to acquire wealth. b. By Strength: He that gathereth by labour (lit., by the hand). This is the old way of honest labour, by which there is true profit (14:23). Scripture commends honest industry as the proper, the God-honoured way to get wealthy. This is in stark contrast to wealth acquired by vanitu.

2. How Managed: Wealth is used or valued in one of two ways, determined by how obtained. a. It Shrinks: Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished. Cheaply made, cheaply used! Easy come, easy go! Where money is easily acquired, it is apt to be more easily squandered. Put another way, what is not highly valued is more likely to be thoughtlessly spent. The gambler may win a few rounds, but in the long-run the House gets it all back, and some more besides. “Few things test a person’s spirituality more accurately than the way money is used.” b. It Stretches: He that gathereth by labour shall increase (multiply) Why? This man worked hard for what he has, and, therefore, he treats it according with care. It is a simple fact that the reward of one duty well done is the power to do another. Jesus says that Heaven also confirms this rule: Thou hast been faithful over a few things. I will make thee ruler over many things (Matt. 25:21).

“Riches are not gold, nor land, estates, nor marts;
only gold worth having is found in human hearts.”

Thought: “To win Christ is the greatest gain”

Prayer: Keep my eyes set on my labours, and bless all my efforts.