“For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them.” ~ Proverbs 1:32 (KJV)
REFERENCE:
Proverbs 1:29-32 (KJV)
Follow me into one of the stories in my collection: I was walking through an orchard, looking around, when I saw a low tree laden more heavily with fruit than the rest. On a closer look, it appeared that someone had dragged the tree close to the ground, and the weight of its treasures broke it. “Oh!” said I, gazing at the tree, “here lies one ruined by his riches.”
Soon, I met a shepherd lamenting the loss of a sheep that lay dead at his feet. I asked him about the matter; he said a strange dog attacked the flock, that the rest of the sheep got away through a hole in the hedge, but the dead one had more wool on his back than the rest; the thorns of the hedge trapped him till the dog tore at him. “Here is another,” said I, “ruined by his riches.”
At last, I met a man hobbling on two artificial legs on two sticks. I asked him, “How did you lose your legs?” He said, “I was a soldier in my youth. With a few comrades, I attacked an enemy’s squad and routed them; we began to load ourselves with spoils. My comrades were satisfied with little, but I carried a little more than I could or should carry. We were pursued; my mates escaped, but I was overtaken and so cruelly wounded. I barely got away with my life but had to lose my legs. I made a bad decision but it is too late to repent of it now.”
“Ah, friend,” thought I, “like the fruit tree, and the torn sheep, you may date your downfall to your possessions. It was your riches that ruined you.” When I see so many rich people as I do, caring so much for their bodies and so little for their souls, I pity them from the bottom of my heart and sometimes think there are as many ruined by riches as by poverty. (Old Humphrey)
Wealth is a blessing, but if not submitted to God and seconded to your relationship with Him, it can turn the heart and lead it into a series of misplaced priorities you may regret. Solomon said, “Prosperity of fools destroys them.” Fools allow themselves to be deceived by riches into thinking they are self-sufficient, seeking their security from it, no longer having time for God, and feeling invincible. If these describe you, watch it; riches may ruin you.
PHOTO QUOTE
ADDITIONAL TEXTS:
Psalm 52:5-7, Jeremiah 48:11-12, and Ecclesiastes 2:26
PRAYER:
+ Lord, teach me contentment and how to second wealth and prosperity to You and my relationship with You. I choose You over the silver and gold of this world because You are worth more. As a shadow chases the one running away from it, wealth, massive wealth, total-life wealth will always follow me as I pursue God, my primary aim, in Jesus’ name.
