Proverbs 13:7: There is one who makes himself rich, yet has nothing; And one who makes himself poor, yet has great riches.
Insight
Here is another example of the old nature that we all have. If we are poor we want to put up a front, to keep up with the Joneses. We pretend to have more than we actually have. Some people drive a Porsche simply to impress other folk, even though they really can’t afford it. Some live in a neighborhood they really cannot afford. On the other hand, there are people who are really very wealthy but are always talking about how poor they are. A member in one of my former churches was a very wealthy man, but he probably gave less than anyone else. And he would say he’d be broke if things didn’t get better. Both sides are an abomination to God because each is hypocritical. It is putting up a front that we don’t need to put up. We don’t need to try to keep up with the Joneses; neither ought we to act as if we don’t even know the Joneses. We are to treat them as neighbors, and we ought to be just what we are. 1
Application
James 1:17: “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above.” Are you satisfied with who you are in Christ? Godliness with contentment is great gain. Find it. Keep it.
Motivation
Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:20–21
Be thankful that you have something to give and be thankful that you can trust God to meet all your needs. – TWEET IT
Prayer
Father, thank You for always taking care of every need, in Your perfect timing.
1. McGee, J. V. (1991). Thru the Bible commentary: Poetry (Proverbs) (electronic ed., Vol. 20). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
