TRUE ENOUGH

Proverbs 10:15-17

¹⁵     The wealth of the rich is their fortified city,

but poverty is the ruin of the poor.

¹⁶     The wages of the righteous bring them life,

but the income of the wicked brings them punishment.

¹⁷     He who heeds discipline shows the way to life,

but whoever ignores correction leads others astray.

Those who obtain wealth and use it wisely will experience and enjoy a greater sense of earthly security than those who in their poverty have no food or shelter or savings or investments or insurance. What’s true in life, what’s true practically speaking, what’s true with material wealth (or lack there of) is even more true when we apply it to our spiritual lives. We who are rich spiritually, who have God’s gift of faith, his promise of forgiveness, his robe of righteousness and his crown of eternal life enjoy a great sense of eternal security – in Christ. Those who are spiritually bankrupt, however, have no hope or confidence for the future, for their eternal future.

Verse 16 is true enough in our day to day lives. Honest work pays off. Dishonest dealing can bring trouble. A spiritual application of these verses is found in Romans 6. “The wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Verse 17 is true enough when it comes to children and students and citizenship. Right behavior is praised. Wrong behavior not only brings its consequences it also leads others astray. Spiritually speaking, “Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through him.” May we never lead anyone astray from the Good Shepherd.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, through your poverty I have become rich. Grant me wisdom and discipline to walk in your paths, to encourage others on that path and receive the eternal blessings that you have in store for all who believe in you. Amen