The House of the Righteous

In the house of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble. (Proverbs 15:6)

Money will not improve your life. In fact, many times, those who focus on the money they can make and become very wealthy can also have incredibly broken and destructive lives. You see it all the time on social media. How many athletes, politicians, and actors are on their third or fourth marriage and their kids are a mess? They’re wealthy, but they seem depressed and are on drugs or prescription pills. Anyone who thinks money alone makes everything better hasn’t been paying attention. Money doesn’t make things better; money just magnifies what is already happening.

I’ve heard of people who win the lottery and go bankrupt within two years. Do you know what happened to their families, their marriages, and their kids during that time? Things fell apart because they thought money would be the answer to all their problems, and it ended up being the magnifier of their current issues.

Proverbs 15:6 shows us that money is just a tool. It is neither good nor bad. It says that the righteous have treasure in their house. That means there is money, provision, and goods within their house. But because their primary identity is righteousness, their goods are blessed and protected.

The wicked, Proverbs 15:6 explains, also has money, but with their money comes problems.

Again, money is neither good nor bad. It is a tool that can be used for righteousness or a tool that can destroy.

When money is your focus, it will destroy everything in your life, but when God’s kingdom is your focus, everything you need will be added unto you.

Practical Application

How can you serve in a new way for kingdom purposes this week? Maybe that means getting to where you serve early or staying later than you usually do. Maybe that means giving something to someone God puts on your heart or encouraging someone in leadership. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you how you can serve in an extra way this week. Then step out and follow.

Psalm 37:16; Psalm 112:3

The Day of Reckoning

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

Wealth may seem to be vastly important when you face bills or material desires, but if you have ever found yourself before a judge, you realize the wealth you have gained means nothing at that moment.

You can be the richest man in the world, but one day you will stand before God and there will be a reckoning for what you did with your life. Life and death will have nothing to do with how much you gained through finances, but what you did with what God placed in your hands.

Your money cannot buy your salvation. Your financial status cannot give you the hope and peace that righteousness does.

You will be held accountable for what God has put in your hand. See, your wealth is not just for your benefit, just as your talents are not for you alone to enjoy and your time is not your own. God has given you time, talents, and treasure to fulfill His purpose on your life while on this earth.

You are called to be a living river, not a dam. A dam holds God’s treasure for themselves and refuses to allow the blessings of God to go anywhere but their own life. God gives you the things He does because he wants to bless you and bless others through you.

You are a conduit of God’s blessings and God’s power. There will be a day when God asks what you have done with all He has given you and you will give an account. Make righteousness your focus and get excited to tell God all you have done with what He placed in your hands.

Practical Application

When you are focused on kingdom purposes, God will bless you. If you have been sowing, serving, and speaking for the kingdom regularly, when problems come up, demand deliverance. It is a promise to you from God Himself. So say out loud, “Deliverance is mine.”

Zephaniah 1:18; Ezekiel 7:19

Evaluate your Friendships

The poor is hated even of his own neighbour: but the rich hath many friends. (Proverbs 14:20)

What a telling verse of wisdom! The poor, Solomon noted, are hated, alienated, and looked down upon, even by the people who grew up around them. Even the neighbors who are in the same financial situation look down on a poverty-stricken person.

When I didn’t have any money, people never treated me with respect. The moment people found out I had money, they expressed a completely different attitude and level of respect when they said my name.

The wealthier you, the more so called “friends” you will have. Understand that the friends you gain that way are never real friends. They will hang around you during your success, hoping to get something from you, but when you need help, support, or funds, they are nowhere to be found.

The Bible says that real friends are there for you in times of trouble. If they wouldn’t ride with you on the bus, you shouldn’t want them riding with you in your fancy new ride.

It’s imperative that you evaluate your friendships and don’t have people in your life who will treat you differently based on your financial account status.

Real, godly friendships are not forged during the times of blessing, but in the fires of adversity. It is in times of need, when we struggle and seek help, that the character of genuine friendship is revealed. Loyalty, empathy, and sacrificial love characterize godly friends. When you find those friends, keep them.

Practical Application

Evaluate your friendships. Are they people who truly want you to grow closer to God and help you achieve His will in your life, or are they there to take from you and enjoy what you have to offer? Choose Godly friends.

Job 6:21; Esther 5:11