September 18, 2008

Today's Reading - Proverbs 18
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Following Scripture Verses

1. Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom.
2. A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.
3. When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach.
4. The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook.
5. It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.
6. A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes.
7. A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.
8. The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
9. He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.
10. The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.
11. The rich man's wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit.
12. Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.
13. He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.
14. The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?
15. The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.
16. A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.
17. He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.
18. The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty.
19. A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle.
20. A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.
21. Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
22. Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.
23. The poor useth intreaties; but the rich answereth roughly.
24. A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

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"The rich man's wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit." - Proverbs 18:11

In today's verse Solomon warns people against trusting in their riches. He compares having lots of money to having a strong city or a high wall. The city and the wall were designed to keep the inhabitants from harm. Likewise, the rich man has a tendency to trust in his money to keep himself safe.

As we have mentioned before, it is not a sin to have money. God has blessed some people with financial benefits, and they should rejoice in them and be thankful for them. However, they need to learn not to trust in them. In our society it can seem that as long as you have money you can survive. Money buys a nicer home in a better neighborhood which helps to protect against crime. It can be spent on a better school so that the children receive a better education. It can pay for additional trips to doctors and specialists. It can provide for leisure so that the owner can get away from his stress. Yet the fact is that God Himself can provide for all these things. A rich man may trust in his money to protect him, but the child of God can trust in his Heavenly Father to do the same.

There are two principles here. First of all, a rich man is foolish to trust in his wealth. It is possible that he will lose his wealth and then have nothing, and it is obvious that there are some problems which money simply can not solve. Second, the poor man needs to realize that God can supply all his needs, for He has control of everything.

The solution to all our problems is not our bank account, but our God.

Pastor Mark J Montgomery