Proverbs 13:7 There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches.
8 The ransom of a man’s life are his riches: but the poor heareth not rebuke.
9 The light of the righteous rejoiceth: but the lamp of the wicked shall be put out.
10 Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.
11 Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase.
12 Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.
God gives us so many current examples of failures. He also gives us a few examples of those who follow Him faithfully.
We know our government is working hard to enrich themselves while destroying this nation. We know that Hitler did the same thing. He caused poverty so that he could control the people. He was a thief and a murderer. That is what we have as the current government in this country.
There are some opposition members who seem to have “good intentions” but they too are lost and thus do not have any good ideas. You cannot have good governance in a vacuum.
Jesus spoke of the rich man who had a good crop. He decided to build bigger barns to store his grain. He intended to sit back and take it easy. Jesus called him a fool. He died that night and left all those riches behind. He died a poor man because he died a lost man.
In Luke 16 Jesus referred to a rich man who died. He said that man was immediately in hell and in torment. He was fully aware of what was going on and he did not like it. His money was all left behind. He could not find any relief and he is still in torment today. He has nothing.
The wise person is the saved person. He is willing to give of his best to the Lord. Since the love of God is in him, he desires to help others know the truth and walk in the truth. He has riches in heaven that will never lose their value.
In verse 8 we learn that the rich person is more susceptible to be targeted for theft and other schemes. Our governments are very wasteful. They have no intention of becoming responsible. They want to raise the taxes on the ones they classify as “rich”. The “rich” are often the ones who own businesses where they employ people. If the government wants to steal their money and blow it on foolish ventures, they will drive the rich away and then the entire country will suffer.
The poor person often flies under the radar. No one is interested in his few pennies. He can carry on. He does not have much, but he also does not face the scrutiny that the rich face.
In verse 9 God reminds us that the righteous leaves a good name and a good testimony. His light shines beyond himself. Others in the family or in the surroundings can benefit from learning from him. The wicked is also busy, but his lamp dies with him. He may leave money and resources behind, but he does not leave that which is most important behind. Those watching him do not learn how to live godly lives.
I Kings 11:36 And unto his son will I give one tribe, that David my servant may have a light alway before me in Jerusalem, the city which I have chosen me to put my name there.
Pride always brings trouble. The proud person does not want to learn. He wants to lead. He disrespects others. His attitude will always bring contention.
The person who is well advised got that way by being humble. He was willing to receive instruction. Thus he has wisdom to pass on. Others can benefit greatly from his wisdom.
There are many people who get rich by unjust means. Gambling is one such means. There are also multi-level schemes that will get the top few people rich, but the rest work hard and get nowhere. There is usually trickery used in those schemes. We hear of Ponzi schemes as well.
Many car salesmen are known to be crooked. They know how to make money, but they often have seared consciences.
The person who does honest work is to be desired. It is important to be able to look someone else in the face and not be guilty or ashamed.
We have often talked of hope. Our government came in on the lie that Mr.Carney knew how to deal with the president of the U.S. He used a similar approach as that of the wuhan virus. You have to create a boogie man and then you have to claim you are the only one that knows how to handle him.
There are still too many gullible people who are hoping our government will pull us out of the economic quagmire they put us into. Those who have their eyes open know we are in a mess and it is not going to get better because our P.M. is too proud to admit he is wrong. His greed is costing the entire nation dearly. Our entire parliamentary system is so corrupt that nothing good can come from it.
When a person sets reasonable expectations and works toward them, it is rewarding to see them fulfilled. God’s Word shows us that He never lies. He keeps every promise. Those who trust in Him for salvation and eternal life will never be ashamed. Those who trust in the Catholics or the Anglicans or the United, or many other false religions will be shocked when they find themselves in hell rather than in heaven.
The wise person trusts in God and His Word. Be sure you are reading His Word. Be sure you are attending a church that teaches the truth. Don’t settle for the lies of the many false religions.
Pastor Bartel