Category: Devotions

Billy Bray (1794-1864), the converted Cornish miner, turned evangelist, was once preaching with great effect to a large congregation, principally miners. In that district there were two mines, one very prosperous and the other quite the reverse, for the work was hard and the wages low. He represented himself as working at that mine but on payday he went to the prosperous one for his wages. Had he not been at work at the other mine, the manager inquired. He had, but he liked the wages of the good mine the best. He pleaded very earnestly but in vain. He was dismissed at last with the remark, from which there was no appeal, that he must come there to work if he came there for his wages. And then he turned upon the congregation, and the effect was almost irresistible, that they, too, must serve Christ here if they would share His glory hereafter; but if they would serve the devil now, to him they must go for their wages by-and-by.

3. God’s Wisdom is for us to win souls by taking or catching them. This does not mean forcing the gospel down unwilling throats. Many children attend services with their parents, but once they enter their teens they begin to balk. Such parents must either go alone, or, find a church where their teenagers will be catered to by the aid of rock music! Something is wrong when the fruit of righteousness does not attract those nearest and dearest to us! Much soul-winning is filled with gimmickry that discredits the Gospel. Numbers and professions, however distorted or extorted, is the name of the game. Saved today, even though there is little or no evidence of the fruit tomorrow (Titus 1:16)!

2. God’s Way: He that winneth souls is wise. The key word is winneth. What a comfort to know that in this sinful world God’s way is to win fallen souls! Christ has made sure of that. He came to seek and save that which was lost through the shedding of His precious Blood. Before His departure He gave His disciples, what has come to be called, the Great Commission: Go ye into all the world and make disciples. Jesus clearly taught that salvation is a universal need, for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God (Rom. 3:23). The early Christians did just that, and we must follow in their train.

1. God’s Work: Most aim at winning something of value, worldly wealth, earthly honours, Olympic medals, or a lottery! Paul had an aim, but it was to win Christ and be found in Him (Phil.3:8-9). He then had an insatiable longing to do God’s work, to share Christ with others, whatever the cost (Rom.1:14-16)! This should be the aim of every Christian. First, you must know Christ as your own personal Saviour, and then you must tell others of the wonderful Saviour that found you! This proverb will show how soul-winning relates to God’s work, not to possessing the fortune or favour of the world.

The home is the first institution of God in the Garden. The devil attacked it then; he has been doing so ever since. This is a crime without boundaries.

Wealth never was a fit foundation for the soul. “Golden cups may carry deadly draughts.” Riches, fame, and honour, have been ruinous temptations for many. Still there are those who trust in riches, but they “will fail us when we are in the greatest need” (Henry). How fleeting will such a trust prove (Pr. 23:5).

Verse 27 repeats the familiar theme: You reap what you sow! Most commentators pass over it with barely a word. Yet its message comes with a force and freshness that makes it well worth our study. Three types are here described with three different verbs yet all meaning to seek, each with a special emphasis.

Our Proverb reaffirms the second part of vs.24 in an antithetic form. Perhaps the main thrust of the verse is to remind all, rich and poor, to be sensitive to the needs of others. It condemns the greed that ignores the material famine all around us, but who will raise the cry against those responsible for the Spiritual Famine in our churches today?

Verse 25 is synonymous; both parts making the same point. It re-states the first half of verse 24. Do not both parts of this verse beautifully compliment each other? This is God’s Law and it pervades all His works. The Christian’s rule of spiritual growth is simply this: Water or wither! Be filled from the Well of Life, and channel it to others.

This is a physical, moral and spiritual principle engraved by the Creator into the Laws of His Universe. By an act of faith the sower casts his good seed into the ground, and expects a good harvest. Applied to the spiritual realm it instructs believers to be good stewards, not only of their treasure, but also how they use their talents and time (3:9-10). He who does not give does not live!