Proverbs 13:7, “There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches.”
I’ve read this verse from different perspectives and I turned to Mathew Henry’s Commentary to gain his spiritual wisdom on the matter. When I first looked at this passage, my thoughts were that the man who goes out to make riches is missing the point of life and the man who gives away his riches is truly wealthy.
However, MHC suggested that these are two examples of sin. The first man makes and spends as if he is rich and acts as if he has hidden treasures, but if his debts were paid in full he would have nothing. The second man lives below what God has given him and has chosen to bury instead of use it for God’s purposes. MHC looks at this from the perspective of the book of Matthew 25:14-30 when Christ spoke of the 3 men given talents.
The spiritual picture we can gain from either perspective is that Grace is our true riches. This is the grace that is offered to us freely. There is nothing we can do to earn the grace; it’s a free gift from God through Jesus! Ephesians 2:7-9 says, “That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
Where are your treasures? Are they bought and sold on the market or are they stored in heaven? Let us seek after God’s riches and use that which He has given us for His purpose.
Prayer: Father, our souls long for you and our hearts cry out to you. Blessed are they that dwell in thy house: they will be still praising thee. Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in whose heart are the ways of them. O LORD God of hosts; hear my prayer: give ear, O God of Jacob; Behold, O God our shield, and teach us about your grace. We can trust that the LORD will give grace and glory and that no good thing will be withheld from those who walk uprightly before Him. Those who trust you are blessed. Indeed, they are rich. Thank you for our heritage through Christ. Thank you for your bountiful grace. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.
Abiding Still,
Connie Renfro ©
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