Labor not to be rich

Labor not to be rich 
Scripture: Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom. Proverbs 23:4

Observation: This Proverb tells us not to do two things – do not labor to be rich, and cease from your own wisdom. At first glance, the first part of the proverb seems to contradict Proverbs 6 which exhorts us to be like the ant that is hardworking and not like the sluggard which folds his hands to sleep all the time.

However, it is not our labor that is wrong, it is the motive of our labor. There is nothing wrong with working hard to provide for our family to give them good things in life. However, the warning is for those whose motive is to accumulate more and more, to become richer and richer at whatever the cost, even when they already have enough. Jesus said “What good is it for a man to gain the whole world yet lose his soul?”

The desire to be rich continues to cloud the hearts of men. The deceitfulness of wealth is one of the 3 things Jesus said will choke the Word, making it unfruitful. It blinds good men and greed has become the downfall of so many throughout history. Jesus said “No one can have two masters. You cannot serve both God and mammon”. Mammon means money. Does money serve us or do we serve money? The person who labors to be rich is serving mammon.  

Tithing and giving is a good test of our hearts. How easily we give to God and to others also tests how attached we are to money. When we don’t have enough, tithing is a test of faith. When we already have much more than we need, tithing is a test of greed. In fact, the rich should give much more than 10% but many can’t even give 10% because money blinds them. The rich man who labors not to be rich but to serve God has this thought in his heart “how will I earn more that I may bless others more?” Consider the example of Pastor Rick Warren who became mega-rich through his PDL books. He refused to change his lifestyle, and only keep 10% of his income while giving the rest away to worthy causes.

Now moving on to the second part: cease from thy own wisdom. We have two choices in our thinking. Do it independently in our own mind only or consider God. An excellent and famous Proverb reads “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own outstanding. Consider the Lord in all your ways and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6 We are called to always consider the Lord in our thoughts and decisions, and seek His counsel and blessing.

Application: Labor, but not to be rich, but to serve God and bless others. Consider the Lord in all that we think and plan.

Prayer: Lord, lead me away from the temptation of riches, but teach me to work hard and bless others with what You bless me. Help me consider Your ways in all that I do and think. In Jesus name, Amen.