Be Wise, Not Foolish
ICS Daily Devotions
Proverbs 10:21-23 (NKJV) The lips of the righteous feed many, But fools die for lack of wisdom. The blessing of the Lord makes one rich, And He adds no sorrow with it. To do evil is like sport to a fool, But a man of understanding has wisdom.
Money is neutral. God does not oppose us being rich. There are two paths to success: the world’s way and God’s way. The outcome varies greatly depending on which path you choose.
The wise can recognise what are God’s blessings because the family stays united and there is no sorrow in the end. We know that we have imputed righteousness when we accept Christ. Our identity is in Christ, and how God perceives us is most important. We have no fear of rejection or people’s opinions. We acknowledge our need for God’s wisdom and will seek it from Him. We understand that we are stewards of God’s money and must manage it responsibly. We trust that God will open opportunities that no one can close, and we will experience God’s favour in our lives and glorify Him. We stay humble and teachable, with God as our priority in life.
In contrast, fools rely on worldly wisdom. The love of money, or the desire to become rich, leads to all kinds of evil. Fools’ identities tend to be tied to their assets, social standing, and the companies they work for. They value how others see them. When people love money, they often compromise their values and principles, becoming controlled by the tyranny of the urgent. God is no longer their priority; they do not seek His will for their lives. No longer trusting God to bless them, they pursue wealth and success in the world’s way.
They will easily burn out because they have distanced themselves from God and make excuses for not spending time in God’s presence daily. They will abandon fellowship with other believers and shun close friends and loved ones who attempt to speak into their lives. This is the beginning of sorrow. Eventually, they will lose their relationships with God and their loved ones, and all they have in their hearts and minds is money, power and status.
1 Timothy 6:9-10 (NKJV) But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
The desire to be rich and the love of money that accompanies foolish, harmful lust, and human greed have caused people to suffer many sorrows. Therefore, much wisdom is needed to ensure that money does not become a hidden god in our lives.
Reflection: In what ways might the desire for success or financial security subtly blind you to spiritual danger, causing you to compromise values you once held firmly?
Sermon Series: Is Money Evil?
