A Good Name Is To Be Chosen Rather Than Great Riches & Favor Is Better Than Silver Or Gold
With God's Peace, You Are More Than A Millionaire
PROVERBS 22:1-4
“A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, Loving favor rather than silver and gold. The rich and the poor have this in common, The Lord is the maker of them all. A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself, But the simple pass on and are punished. By humility and the fear of the Lord Are riches and honor and life.
”Proverbs 22:1-4 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/pro.22.1-4.NKJ
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Our reputation is very important, particularly as believers of Christ. Not only should we obey God and be right with God, we must also be seen as right before all people.
How can we successfully share the Good News of Christ Jesus without a good reputation?
If we are going to be productive in service, we must appear different, we must stand out from the crowd and shine for our Lord and master.
We are God's children, and we are supposed to be different, displaying the fruits of the Spirit in every part of our lives.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.”
Galatians 5:22-23 NKJV
My brethren, we need God's wisdom in everything we plan and do, because going ahead with our plans blindly, without God's approval, will lead us the wrong way; we must walk by the leading of the Holy Spirit in us (JOHN14:15-18), for our ways will to disaster.
“Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.“
Galatians 5:19-21 NKJV
My beloved, in everything you do, every project that comes to mind, in all things, run it past God and be sure that you have His approval.
Paul said, ”Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ’s return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless. But I will rejoice even if I lose my life, pouring it out like a liquid offering to God, just like your faithful service is an offering to God. And I want all of you to share that joy. Yes, you should rejoice, and I will share your joy.“
Philippians 2:12-18 NLT
The general observation that fear of the Lord leads to riches, honor, and long life would have been especially applicable to obedient Israelites living in Solomon's God fearing Kingdom.
Nevertheless some have been martyrs at a young age, and some have given away all they have for the sake of God's Kingdom.
The book of Proverbs describes life the way it should be. It doesn't dwell on exceptions.
The fear of the Lord are riches; more than money, silver or gold, and leads to long life-eternal life with Jesus Christ.
God doesn’t promise a large bank account, but He does promise all our needs; not our cravings or wish lists, but far greater than any amount of money can buy.
My brethren, “Happy is the man who finds wisdom, And the man who gains understanding; For her proceeds are better than the profits of silver, And her gain than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies, And all the things you may desire cannot compare with her. Length of days is in her right hand, In her left hand riches and honor. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, And all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, And happy are all who retain her.”
Proverbs 3:13-18 NKJV
Proverbs contains many strong statements about the benefits of wisdom, including long life, wealth, honor, and peace. But lasting peace can only come from absolute trust in Jesus Christ (PHILIPPIANS 4:4-7), and leads to wisdom and life. For, “”The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. For by me your days will be multiplied, And years of life will be added to you.“
Proverbs 9:10-11 NKJV
If it seems you are not experiencing the these blessings, that doesn’t mean you are short on wisdom, because rather than guarantees, these statements are general principles.
Sometimes we don’t realise how blessed we really are until we lose them.
In a perfect world, wise behaviour would always lead to these benefits. Even in this failing, troubled world, living wisely usually results in blessings, but not always.
God sees everything good you do and you can be certain that blessings are mounting up in heaven.
But however, the sin of this world intervenes, and some blessings will be delayed or blocked until Jesus Christ returns to establish His eternal Kingdom. That is why we must "live by believing and not seeing (2 CORINTHIANS 5:7).”
But with faith nothing can steal one’s peace that comes from God, for His peace surpasses all understanding and shall guard our hearts minds through Christ Jesus (PHILIPPIANS 4:7).
My beloved, when you have real peace of mind, you are more than a millionaire, and with it comes the realisation that true wealth comes not from money, but from who we are in Christ.
The truth is, ““Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, And whose hope is the Lord. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, Which spreads out its roots by the river, And will not fear when heat comes; But its leaf will be green, And will not be anxious in the year of drought, Nor will cease from yielding fruit.”
Jeremiah 17:7-8 NKJV
All glory to God forever and ever! Amen.
