Sunday, December 12, 1999 This Week's Lesson:
In this week's lesson, which came from Proverbs 14:23-27, we learned about truly worthwhile profit. Everyone wants to be or at least to feel prosperous, but true prosperity is not found where most people tend to look. For instance, prosperity does not come from having a big mouth. We often like to hear ourselves talk because having a lot to say, just like having lots of money, many times makes us feel important. When we are talking, though, we are not learning. Much of the time, when we are talking, our listener is not learning either. How many times would the absence of our thoughts and opinions cause no harm? We could probably remain silent a great deal more than we do without causing any problems for others. In fact, it is usually when we do speak that we cause trouble for those around us. In addition to not being found in many words, prosperity or riches is also not found in having a large bank account. Money might let someone live well, but it will not make someone rich. Contrary to what many would think, the crown of the wise, according to Solomon, is their riches. When we are wise in the things of the Lord, it is then that we are rich. When we practice folly, then we are foolish and usually causing ourselves great harm.
When he spoke about the value in talking, Solomon was not teaching against work, nor was he commenting about our accumulation of wealth. We should work as unto the Lord, and we should be good stewards with all that we are entrusted. But we need to keep the things of this world in perspective with eternal things. A healthy approach towards life is to try to live equally well on both sides of the grave. Work hard, take care of what you have, be rich in godly wisdom, and be honest! These are good rules by which to live. As Christians, we should always do our best to speak honestly, and we should always do our best to NEVER lie. Psalms 15:1-2 says, "LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart." Psalms 85:10 says, "Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other." We can have peace when we walk before the Lord in fear. We can also have the kind of confidence with Him that will carry us through all aspects of our life. Having a proper reverential fear of the Lord is spiritually healthful, and it will be unto us as a fountain of life. Having this kind of fear will cause us to depart from those activities that would destroy our soul, and it will create a good heritage for our children. When we walk right before God, our children will usually only be a few steps behind us. Of course, the converse to that statement is also true.
Life is not easy for anyone. But by God's grace and leadership, each of us can find the strength to walk the path that has been set before us. As you go through the coming week, try to walk in the light of God's truth and also do your best to be the person that He would have you be.
Tom of Spotswood"He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life." (I John 5:12)
"And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart." (Jeremiah 29:13)
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