Trusting In The Right Things

In review of Proverbs 11:28 it says, “He who trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like foliage.”

Bottom Line:

Trust in your money and down you go! Trust in God and flourish like a healthy plant.

What this means to me:

I need to learn to place my trust in God for my needs and not rely solely on my riches.

Toward the end of Proverbs 11 we see some of God's advice about money. The writer tells us to give freely and become more wealthy. If we are stingy we will lose everything. A generous person will prosper. Someone who refreshes others will themselves be refreshed. If we trust in our money we will fail, however a godly person will flourish like leaves in spring.

There a a paradox presented here, I am told that I become richer by being generous, whereas the world says to hold on to as much as possible. But what I learn is that God blesses those who give freely of their possessions, time and energy. When I give, God supplies me with more so that I can give more. In addition, giving helps me gain a right perspective on my possessions. Especially when I come to realize that they were never really mine to begin with; they were given to me by God to be used to help others. By giving, I gain freedom from enslavement to our possessions, the joy of helping others, and God's approval.

God’s favor can make me the envy of the nations. When I have the favor of God, I can do with great ease what others cannot. You can climb to the divine destiny God has created just for me because I can believe in things others cannot see.

When favored of God, there is no limitations for me. The Word promises me that He will take the wreath of the wicked and place it in the hands of the righteous, that I am the head and not the tail. He wishes above all things that I prosper, even as my soul prospers.

This means, I shouldn’t envy a new car the neighbor has or the perfectly tailored suit. What I have is far more valuable than earthly riches. The favor of God is upon me. If I got out of bed this morning then I have something to shout about! It means I still have time on this earth to give glory and praise to my heavenly Father!

I’m learning that I should never wish to be someone else. God didn’t make a mistake with me. Those who look really good on the outside have their own battles to fight; so don’t covet them. My favor was tailor-made just for me. Wear it like a suite of armor as I face every day, a fearless warrior ready to do battle in the name of the Lord.