Proverbs 21:17: He who loves pleasure will be a poor man; He who loves wine and oil will not be rich.
Insight
Pleasure is the characteristic of the ways of God. Should we not rejoice in our earthly comforts? God has provided us with everything for our enjoyment. Yet, strange as it may seem, the way to enjoy pleasure is not to love it or to pursue it as if it is our goal in life. The person who gives his whole heart and all of his time to pleasure is on the road to becoming poor. As Rutherford observed, “Certainly the more a man drinks of the world, the more it intoxicates him.” Our spiritual character is our glory. Personal holiness is indispensable to spiritual enjoyments. So always bear in mind how empty the pleasures of this world are. 1
Application
Over 2,000 years ago, the apostle Paul spoke about this very day in which we now live in 2 Timothy 3:1–5: But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents…haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!
Can your closest friend confidently say that you are obviously a lover of God, sold out to do the will of God, more than anything else in this world?
Motivation
Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age. Titus 2:12
Pleasure from God is to be received and appreciated with thanksgiving. – TWEET IT
Prayer
Father, I am thankful for every good and perfect gift from you.
1. Bridges, C. (2001). Proverbs. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books.
