Proverbs 15:6, Treasures – Trust or Trap!
September 13, Proverbs 15:6
Matt. 6:19-24; Eccl. 5:9-17 “As having nothing, and yet possessing all” (2 Cor. 6:19).
Treasures – Trust or Trap!
Do you dream of being rich or richer than you are? How much would make you content? The snare of riches is that we never have quite enough yet. The question, “Who wants to be a millionaire?” has already been upgraded to, “Who wants to be a billionaire?” Yet, “Better is an handful, with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit” (Eccl. 4:6). This proverb speaks of the blessing or the bane of riches.
a) Abraham’s Heights: In the house of the righteous is much treasure. This house contains children, friends, books, money, and treasure (Ps. 37:16). “Riches may adorn the house, but virtue adorns the man.” Where the righteous and riches are, there is also the ability to enjoy them. The blessing of God is on this house, making it rich, and adding no sorrow. In money it may not be a rich house, but there is treasure within. If the “worldly possessions” are frugal, yet where grace is, true joy is found. Why? It is because he righteously obtained what he has, righteously held it, and righteously used it. Such riches are, “A trust, O Lord, from Thee.” Please read Genesis 13:8-13; 14:22-15:1. This, you will find, is a fitting commentary on today’s proverb. Behold, Abraham in the heights with God, and Lot in the valley with the sinners of Sodom. Again, see Abraham, strengthened by the Bread and Wine from the hand of Melchizedek, soaring to the heights of true faith. It was Sodom’s riches that had trapped Lot, but Almighty God Himself was Abraham’s shield, and exceeding great reward. Whose end would you prefer, Lot’s or Abraham’s? “One smile of God is better than all the treasures of the world.”
b) Achan’s Depths: Dear reader, what are you storing up? In the revenues of the wicked there is trouble. Is that really what you want? This revenue (gain, income) spells trouble! It does not bring true happiness, because with it comes anxiety, jealousies, and the fears of the rich. Why? The wicked had trouble getting it, and have trouble keeping it, and have even more trouble leaving it! Do you say, “That won’t happen to me!” Others have said the same only to end like the man in Ecclesiastes 5! “If there is anything worse than the addiction caused by love of silver, it is the awful emptiness it leaves.” Death takes it all away in a twinkling. In Joshua 7 you read about Achan. His name comes from the word trouble (used here). You know his tragic story. It is summed up in his confession. I saw (Lust of the eyes). I coveted (Lust of the flesh). I took (Pride of Life). Then, most pathetic thing of all, he hid them in the earth! How could he think that the God who brought the walls of Jericho down would not see or know! Achan’s confession was without apparent repentance! It was merely that his sin had been exposed! In coveting the forbidden things, he brought trouble on himself, his family, and the whole nation as well. Achan, the troubler, appropriately died in Achor, the valley of Troubling!
Thought: “Gold plucks stout men’s pillows from below their heads” (Shakespeare).
Prayer: Lord, help me to see that the fullness of the earth can never satisfy my soul.