SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR
2/18/2013 8:32 AM
My Worship Time Focus: Diligent
PT-3
Bible Reading & Meditation Reference: Proverbs
Message of the
verses: I really want to finish this
section on the diligent in Today’s Spiritual Diary. We left yesterday’s SD talking about the
diligent and wealth and that is where we will pick up in today.
Dr. Wiersbe writes the following on this subject: “We must not think that the way of the
wealthy is always easy, because there are also perils that accompany wealth and
success in life. Wealthy people face
problems that people of ordinary means don’t face, for an increase in wealth
usually means an increase in decision-making, risk-taking, and possibly
physical danger. ‘A man’s riches may
ransom his life, but a poor man hears no threat’ (Pr. 13:8 NIV). Kenneth Taylor aptly paraphrases this verse,
‘Being kidnapped and held for ransom never worries the poor man!’ (TLB) Thieves will break into a mansion but not a
hovel.”
People who put all of their trust in riches will one day
have a big surprise, and that surprise is that riches give a sense of false
security. I think of the story that is
found in the fifth chapter of the book of Daniel where we find a king who has a
very great false security in his riches and is giving a party for the rich and
famous of Babylon when all of a sudden he sees a man’s hand begin to write on
the wall. The KJV says that his knees
knocked one against the other when he saw this man’s hand. The message was explained to him by Daniel
who told him that he had been weighted in the balance and found wanting and
that he would not live throughout the night.
That is what happened to him and his false sense of security in riches
caused him to not think about other important things in his life like defending
his kingdom and so he died and the kingdom was given to another just as God had
prophesied through his grandfather and explained by Daniel. Proverbs 11:28 says “He who trusts in his
riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like foliage.” “Riches do not profit in the day of wrath,
But righteousness delivers from death (Pr. 11:4).” This verse explains that riches cannot save
you, but God through the death of His Son on the cross can save you. Riches cannot buy you peace as Proverbs
15:16-17 tells us, “16 Better is a little with the fear of the LORD Than great
treasure and turmoil with it. 17 Better is a dish of vegetables where love is Than
a fattened ox served with hatred.” They
cannot give us a good name as Pr. 22:1 shows us, “A good name is to be more
desired than great wealth, Favor is better than silver and gold.” Proverbs teaches us that riches have a
tendency to fly away when we least expect it, “4 Do not weary yourself to gain
wealth, Cease from your consideration of it. 5 When you set your eyes on it, it is gone. For wealth
certainly makes itself wings Like an eagle that flies toward the heavens (Pr. 23:4-5).” “23 Know well the condition of your flocks,
And pay attention to your herds; 24 For
riches are not forever, Nor does a crown endure to all generations (Pr.
27:23-24).”
Another problem with riches, even riches that we earn
with hard work is that they can cause pride to sneak into our lives, and that
is not good at all. “The rich think
their wealth protects them; they imagine themselves safe behind it (Pr. 18:11
Message).” Jesus gave a story in the
book of Luke about a rich man who was very proud of his hard work and felt that
he did not need to work any longer, but Jesus said of him that he was a fool
because his very soul would be required of him that night. Not only can the rich become proud but they
can also begin to mistreat people because of their riches, “He who despises his
neighbor sins, But happy is he who is gracious to the poor (Pr. 14:21).” “The poor speak in soft supplications; the
rich bark out answers (Pr. 18:23 Message).”
The rich have many friends; however those friends may not stay faithful
if he becomes poor. “When you’re down on your luck, even your family avoids
you—yes; even your best friends wish you’d get lost. If they see you coming,
they look the other way—out of sight, out of mind (Pr. 19:7 Message).” Dr Wiersbe states that “Wealth is a wonderful servant
for humble people but a terrible master for the proud.”
The diligent person will have the right attitude about
riches, but those who are not diligent will have the wrong attitude about it
and it can cause them to wreck friendships and even cause them to destroy
homes. “He who is greedy for gain
troubles his own house, but he who hates bribes will live, Pr. 15:27).” There
are people who desire to get riches so much that they put it ahead of other
things that are important like their relationship with the Lord and their
relationship with family and friends.
Wealthy people have another concern and that is that they
have to be concerned to what their children will do with their wealth. Solomon discussed this situation in the book
of Ecclesiastes, “18 Thus I hated all the fruit of my labor for which I had
labored under the sun, for I must leave it to the man who will come after me. 19
And who knows whether he will be a wise man or a fool? Yet he will have control
over all the fruit of my labor for which I have labored by acting wisely under
the sun. This too is vanity. 20 Therefore I completely despaired of all the
fruit of my labor for which I had labored under the sun. 21 When there is a man
who has labored with wisdom, knowledge and skill, then he gives his legacy to
one who has not labored with them. This too is vanity and a great evil. 22 For
what does a man get in all his labor and in his striving with which he labors
under the sun? 23 Because all his days his task is painful and grievous; even
at night his mind does not rest. This too is vanity. 24 There is nothing better
for a man than to eat and drink and tell himself that his labor is good. This
also I have seen that it is from the hand of God. 25 For who can eat and who
can have enjoyment without Him? 26 For to a person who is good in His sight He
has given wisdom and knowledge and joy, while to the sinner He has given the
task of gathering and collecting so that he may give to one who is good in
God’s sight. This too is vanity and striving after wind (Ecc. 2:18-26).”
Dr. Wiersbe writes “Rich man, poor man, beggar man
thief.” “God has a word for all of
them. Are they willing to receive it?”
Spiritual meaning
for my life today: As for the rich
man and the poor man they both must be content with the lot that they
have. The poor can work hard in order to
obtain wealth, but he must be content with that once he gets it. We said yesterday that we must be happy with
the life style that we have, and contentment is a good way to do that.
My Steps of Faith for Today: Continue to learn contentment.
Memory verses for the
week: Psalm 32:1-3
1 How blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven,
whose sin is covered! 2 How blessed is
the man in whom the LORD does not impute iniquity, and in whose spirit there is
no deceit! 3 When I kept silent about my sin, my body
wasted away through my groaning all day long.
Turning Points Wisdom for
Today: “The more we trust the
sovereignty of heaven, the less we fear the calamities of earth.” (Author Unknown) “I will lift up my eyes to the hills—from
whence comes my help? My help comes from
the LORD, who made heaven and earth.”
(Psalm 121:1-2)
2/18/2013 9:40 AM
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