Borrowed Truths

Riches Profit Not

riches profit not
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Riches Profit Not

“Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death.” (Prov. 11:4)

The fear of running out of money is perhaps not very far behind in many people’s mind the fear of death. To be destitute, unable to provide for your needs causes not only a loss of the needs of the body, but despair within the mind, and this is what our adversary is attempting to do.

The wealthy, no matter how they attained to their wealth, hold within them the same fear, their wealth is guarded at all cost.

“And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.” (Matt. 19:24)

Those present that day that heard our Lord speak those words were amazed by them, for then, as it is in many cases today, wealth and prosperity were a sign that person was blessed by the Almighty. I could be mistaken here, but I doubt it was very long after He spoke those words that He gave them the account of the rich man and Lazarus.

If life is going well, if our employment field not only provides for our needs but many of our wants as well, then we believe we are in the good graces of the Lord. If they are removed by no fault of our own, then we question.

Which is the worst-case scenario my friends, losing all or attaining much?

To those who fit into the opening verse in this letter to you, this verse may also apply.

“And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.” (Mark 4:19)

Wealth holds no value whatsoever to the man on his death bed.

“For there is no remembrance of the wise more than of the fool for ever; seeing that which now is in the days to come shall all be forgotten. And how dieth the wise man? as the fool.” (Eccl. 2:16)

In context, I believe that opening verse is referencing, in part at least, the days of Jacob’s Troubles, but it may also be applied to us, if we try to hold onto that which should not be placed above or before the Almighty. He may in His wisdom, if necessary, bring you into a day of adversity.

“Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Mark 8:37)

Every last coin in his pocket, if it will keep him alive for one more day.

That is why I said that wealth, the lie of it, is so closely akin to the fear of death. Especially in what we call the western world, in advanced civilizations we have come to expect a certain standard of living. Needs provided for are expected, if the cupboard is bare, we simply go to the market. If a want arises, and the needs have been met, we simply obtain that want. And sadly, even among those who have been born-again, this truth can be applied to their lives.

“The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.” (Prov. 22:7)

How many of you can honestly say that you can control your appetites? Not in the matter of food, but of your wants. How many of you are making it a special point to save up as much money as you can, perhaps even purchasing gold, silver or other precious metals or the like, and how many of you have decided the credit card is the way to go? Make the minimum payment and keep feeding the desires of your lust?

Some of you may be living paycheck to paycheck, and that just barely, and my friends, if that is you, you may be the one most blessed of all those mentioned here.

You know that I have to add this verse here now, don’t you?

“But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:” (Matt. 6:20)

Pieces of paper worth an agreed upon value, shiny pieces of metal, stocks and bonds that can fluctuate at will. Where is your treasure? In a safety deposit box? A safe somewhere in your house? The stock market? It will avail you nothing in the day of wrath.

Many will be taught these truths in the coming days, hear them today and you will be better prepared.

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