24.277 | WEALTH INFLUENCES | Proverbs 13:7-8 | God’s Word for Today with Pastor Nazario Sinon

God’s Word For Today

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4d ago 13:11

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Text: Proverbs 13:7-8 (ESV)

7 One pretends to be rich, yet has nothing;

another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth.

8 The ransom of a man's life is his wealth,

but a poor man hears no threat.

WEALTH INFLUENCES

Whether we recognize it or not, either the possession of wealth or not has its own respective effects to our lives. Verse 7 has two views. Both views are taught in the book of Proverbs. Firstly, it may carry the idea of those who put on an appearance of being wealthy when they have nothing, while others make themselves out to be poor when they have plenty (Prov 11:26; 16:19; 22:9). Secondly, this could mean that those who focus on material wealth are spiritually poor, while those less concerned with worldly wealth are spiritually rich (Prov 11:24, 28; 22:1).

Let us focus on the first view first. Why a poor man pretends to be rich and the rich man to be poor? The poor man appearing rich may get respect. It’s common knowledge that people tend to favor the rich and despise the poor in this world. This impartiality is condemned by Jesus. Jesus has warned, saying, “But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when your host comes he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at table with you. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” [Luke 14:10,11] He taught an important principle that the ‘servant of all is the greatest.” On the other hand, the rich tries to appear as poor in order to protect himself from any robbery. A rich man carrying a large amount of cash is at risk, isn’t it? He is at risk of being robbed, kidnapped or murdered for his money. Hence, it’s not prudent for him to wear expensive jewelries and accessories in some places where he is not protected.

Verse 8 highlights the downside in having riches. A rich man has threats while a poor man has nothing. A poor man may walk in dark streets and alleys freely while the rich can not. Furthermore, a rich man may wonder whether his "friends" are truly friends or they’re simply pretending to be his friends to get something from him. Whereas, the poor man does not suspect his friends for they know they can’t get anything from him.

In the second view, the rich who boast and trust in their riches are poor before God’s eyes. This is the blindness money may bring to a person. For example, the rich farmer in Jesus' parable boasted about his abundant produce, but he was spiritually bankrupt. Jesus called him a fool. Jesus reminded him that material goods would not accompany him beyond the grave (Luke 12:20). Another example is the church at Laodicea that boasted about its affluence, but it lacked true wealth. Jesus rebuked them, saying, "You say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked" (Rev 3:17). Whereas, the apostle Paul assumed a humble posture. He testified that he was poor yet made many rich and had nothing but possessed everything.[2 Cor 6:10] He counted everything as loss for the sake of knowing Christ.[Phil 3:8]. It is better to be spiritually rich than to feign material wealth.

What lesson can we learn today? Wealth at best is only temporal, whereas "godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world" (1 Tim 6:6–7). Our security is God Himself. As Hebrews 13:5 has assured us, saying, "Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.'"

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