Fast Fortune? - The One Year Daily Wisdom

Read Proverbs 13

Wealth from get-rich-quick schemes quickly disappears; wealth from hard work grows over time.

Proverbs 13:11

If we want proof of the timelessness of the wisdom of the book of Proverbs, we need look no further than this verse. Whether solicited through pyramid scams, self-help books, infomercials on television, junk e-mail, or a dozen other means, get-rich-quick schemes are alive and well in our culture. Human nature has always been attracted to the fast track to fortune, but God has always known that the money rarely lasts, if it comes at all.

For the Christian, however, wealth should not even be a goal. Instead, obedience to God’s call is our objective, with monetary rewards one of the possible—not promised—benefits. Hard work, no matter how large or small the task, is godly, and God will reward us in whatever way and in whatever amount he deems best for us and for his purposes. If we convince ourselves, and try to convince God, that we could do so much more for God’s kingdom with a quick buck, we have taken our eyes off the real prize: the satisfaction of plain old hard work and obedience.

A WORD FOR TODAY

Easy wealth is a vapor.

Today, Lord, may I concentrate on you and on working hard at the tasks you have given me.