The Everyday Prayer

Re:Verse passage – Proverbs 22:7 (day seven)

Does God want us to be rich? There are Christians out there who would say that God does want you to be financially prosperous. Many Proverbs, including todays passage, point to the benefits of being wealthy. Yet, what do we do with the rich man whom Jesus told to sell all that he has and give it to the poor? Or right after that where Jesus says it’s easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of Heaven? This dichotomy leaves us confused. Does God want us to be financially prosperous or does He want us to be poor?

The answer can be found in the context of Proverbs 22. Verse 2 says, “The rich and the poor have a common bond, The Lord is the maker of them all.” The sovereignty of God calls us to be content in all circumstances. Contentment shows trust. Then in verse 9, “He who is generous will be blessed.” God’s focus is not on how much or how little we bring in, but on how generously we give of what all He has given to us. Generosity shows obedience. Contentment (trust) and generosity (obedience) are the traits that will lead us into a more prosperous life, even if the prosperity is not financial.

Re:Verse passage – Proverbs 22:7 (day six)

This proverb is more than a morality tale about the consequences of loving money; it is also about the entropy of worldly systems. Every economic and political system favors the rich and powerful. It is systemic in the truest sense of the word. This is not because of the economic or political persuasion itself but because of what Paul calls the spirit of the world. This undertow pulls and tugs every system toward one trajectory: enslavement. The kind of enslavement doesn’t matter, whether political, economic, or cultural; the spirit of the world finds a way to lock up our time and resources to completely disable our ability to leverage all God has given for his Kingdom.

Jesus would say, “Don’t be naive. Be shrewd. Don’t be duped by worldly systems.  Whether a lot or a little, be free to make the most of the resources God has given you.”

Re:Verse passage – Proverbs 22:7 (day five)

Should we be surprised that Solomon wants to address the subject of money?  Having money or the appearance of having money communicates plenty. My guess from Solomon’s writings, is that just like today things like social status, reputations, meaningless appearances are derived by many in the context and culture of that society. One point that Solomon seems to make is that money can be a thief- robbing freedom from the wealthy because greed keeps them from using their money to bless others (verse 9) and robbing freedom (freedom to be content and freedom to make the Lord their top priority) from those in debt. The way of wisdom is to steward money so that the fear of the Lord is unhindered and the ability to respond to His instruction and direction (using money to support and encourage others) can happen often and easily.

Re:Verse passage – Proverbs 22:7 (day four)

We’ve all heard the famous mis-quote of Scripture, “Money is the root of all evil.” Money itself isn’t a bad thing – it’s really a neutral thing. It’s a necessary part of our society in order to trade services. It’s our own sin, our own pride and materialism and desire for power that turns money into something sour. Where people are, there is also sin. And sin in regard to money is nothing new, as this proverb indicates.

This sin impacts both parties in the exchange, it is present on both sides of the same coin (pun intended). If you’re in financial need, it’s easy to try to solve the problem yourself and make money your sole pursuit. This inevitably subjects you to the power of those with wealth. Solomon, even in all his wealth, recognizes that this is a terrible way to live.

But if you’re wealthy, or even just financially comfortable, this proverb speaks to you, too. This serves a warning about the sin that often accompanies financial abundance. How do you treat the people in your life that have less than you do? How do you treat the people who depend on you financially? Do you use your financial abundance to lift up others, or lift up yourself?

Re:Verse passage – Proverbs 22:7 (day three)

“The rich rules over the poor,
And the borrower becomes the lender’s slave.”

Cheap shoes are cheap for a reason. What is that reason? Electronic devices can’t exist in mass quantity unless certain conditions are met. What are those conditions? You can afford a certain good or service. Can a person long afford to provide those things for you? This is curiosity. This is hearing people. What happens to all those people? Do you know? Do you care? Do you hear them? The Lord does. From cover to cover, from “Your brother’s blood cries out from the ground” to “The wages you’ve withheld from those who’ve served you cry out against you,” the Bible demands an accounting from you for how you live with people. There’s always someone less powerful than you over whom you can find it easy to rule.

Re:Verse passage – Proverbs 22:7 (day two) 

The rich rules over the poor,
And the borrower becomes the lender’s slave.

The language of this verse is strong; necessarily so. It is unlikely that we would use words like slave/ruler in a modern context, which is wise, but the Solomon clearly captured the yoke of debt. I have found it overwhelming when a financial burden clouds decisions. Somehow that weight and responsibility seeps into other decisions and conversations. Often, I don’t realize what is souring my mood, or my ability to act decisively. When the burden is lifted or overcome, however, it becomes abundantly clear how much that yoke of debt clouded so many other facets of my life and relationships. We are far more able to be God’s instrument when things like debt and finances are managed well. It doesn’t always equate to coffers being full to overflowing, but it does mean a peace and contentment which is worth far more.

Re:Verse passage – Proverbs 15:15-17 (day seven)  

Better is a little with the fear of the Lord
Than great treasure and turmoil with it. vs 16

We might look at this and be like, “Easy for you to say Solomon. You were the richest and wisest of all the kings of Israel. Did you actually ever live with little or was everything handed to you on a silver platter?” Yet, Solomon was not perfect. He actually ended up chasing after a life of worldly pleasures. He had hundreds of wives and concubines. He sacrificed and made altars to their pagan gods, all out of the allure of grandeur. 1 Kings 11:6 tells us, “Solomon did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, and did not follow the Lord fully, as David his father had done.”

Today’s scripture puts all of this in perspective. Solomon looked back and saw that it was not worth it. We see him similarly in Ecclesiastes 1:14 say “I have seen all the works which have been done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and striving after wind.” Solomon chased after the world, but the world could not give him what he truly needed: an intimate relationship with the Lord.

Re:Verse passage – Proverbs 15:15-17 (day six)  

What does it profit a man, if he gains the whole world, but loses his soul?-Jesus, Matthew 16:26

I have come to give them life and life abundantly. -Jesus, John 10:10

Jesus wants us to have an abundant life, all that life has to offer. That can be hard to believe when the world tells us daily that the key to an abundant life is MORE-more money, more stuff, more security. King Solomon, much like Jesus, wants us to know what truly makes for an abundant life. A truly abundant life is found in loving God (fearing the Lord) and loving others.

After all, that is what we were made for. When we know and are known, we experience an abundance of joy. Knowing is also the antidote to the daily temptation to chase after MORE. Beholding God always puts everything in its proper place, especially money.

Re:Verse passage – Proverbs 15:15-17 (day five)  

Some honest questions that sometimes creep in to my heart and mind… What does all this “wisdom speak” look like in real life?  Are these platitudes that people never personally deal with?  How do they really work and function?

These verses seem to be declaring that a heart set on wisdom (fear of the Lord) will somehow experience and process real life in a different kind of way. Ok, but how?

I love it when scripture clarifies and illustrates other scripture. A great picture of this “Wisdom Principle” is seen in the Apostle Paul’s life and writing.  “Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” (Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭11‬-‭13)‬  Looks like the way of Godly Wisdom to me.