Illogical Logic
Labour not to be rich; cease from thine own wisdom.
Proverbs 23:4
During my repeated readings of Proverbs, this verse is always like a speed bump. It makes me stop, pause, think and usually redirect my efforts. It goes against all human logic.
We are to provide for our families – would it not be easier if we were rich? With our own wisdom, we can be more successful and thus be rich. Logical right? Good intentions, right? Wrong.
Let’s jump over a few chapters and Solomon will explain. Proverbs 28:20 states “A faithful man shall abound with blessings; but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.” So where should our focus be? On riches or living a faithful life? Additionally, many of the blessings are not physical – which characteristic provides a better example for your children to follow? Which forces me to ask myself the question: Am I more concerned about riches and short lived fame than I am about setting a biblical example by living a faithful life for Christ? He gives us yet another warning in Proverbs 28:22.
In Proverbs 28:5, we are told “Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the Lord understand all things.” Wow! A pretty simple task, but hard to put into practice. As we grow in Christ and seek his will, we develop a stronger reliance upon him rather than our own knowledge.
So, stop, pause, contemplate and redirect your efforts today towards what really matters – focus on Christ rather than ourselves.
Proverbs 23:4
During my repeated readings of Proverbs, this verse is always like a speed bump. It makes me stop, pause, think and usually redirect my efforts. It goes against all human logic.
We are to provide for our families – would it not be easier if we were rich? With our own wisdom, we can be more successful and thus be rich. Logical right? Good intentions, right? Wrong.
Let’s jump over a few chapters and Solomon will explain. Proverbs 28:20 states “A faithful man shall abound with blessings; but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.” So where should our focus be? On riches or living a faithful life? Additionally, many of the blessings are not physical – which characteristic provides a better example for your children to follow? Which forces me to ask myself the question: Am I more concerned about riches and short lived fame than I am about setting a biblical example by living a faithful life for Christ? He gives us yet another warning in Proverbs 28:22.
In Proverbs 28:5, we are told “Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the Lord understand all things.” Wow! A pretty simple task, but hard to put into practice. As we grow in Christ and seek his will, we develop a stronger reliance upon him rather than our own knowledge.
So, stop, pause, contemplate and redirect your efforts today towards what really matters – focus on Christ rather than ourselves.
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