feb15

February 15, 2002, Friday
Proverbs Chapter 23

"Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom./ Wilt though set thine eyes upon that which is not? For riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven./ Eat thou not the bread of him that hath an evil eye, netheir desire thou his dainty meats:" (Pr 23:4-6). How strinkingly different from the attitude and approach we have been raised and how this society so strives. "But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition" (1 Tm 6:9). It is unambiguously stated here that man cannot ensure his own safety or his success. Riches do not consitutute a successful man. Our own wisdom is not a guarantee. There is a simple solution to worldly covetousness, wants, insecurities, and ulitimate destructions. Jesus has told us, "I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst" (Jn 6:35). We ought not to seek riches, or trust in our own wisdom to save us from ruin, for God will be the provision for all we need, if we were to just lose our lives to follow Him and thereby gain all believing that He is the Almighty Provider. "For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things./ But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you./ Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom" (Lk 12:30-32). Here again is demonstrated the singular Christian confidence that results from the peace of mind and spirit that Jesus Christ has bought for us. "But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ" (Philippians 3:7).
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Finally, there is a clear command here for parenthood, the importance of which has been lost in modern society. "Withhold not correction from the child: for if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die./ Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell" (Pr 23:13-14). Unless you want your beloved child to burn eternally in hell, "beat him with the rod." But such beating must be done for correction, edification, and with appropriateness and rectitude.

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