Proverbs 27:23-24. 23Know well the condition of your flocks, and give attention to your herds, 24for riches do not last forever;
There are all kinds of warnings in the Bible about riches, both in the Old Testament and in the New Testament. Jesus himself spoke about money more than any other topic.
If you are alive today, you are much wealthier than most people who have lived throughout history.
If you live in America today, you live in the wealthiest nation on Earth. Likely, you are in the top ten percent of wealthiest people in the world.
But the warning of today’s proverb, and the warning found throughout scripture, and the warning that Jesus gives is this – riches do NOT last. This is why we must know well the condition of our flocks, and give attention to our herds.
What is the most valuable thing you own? Your car? Your home? Your time and energy? In Solomon’s day many people were shepherds with flocks of sheep. You probably remember that Solomon’s father was a shepherd (David). If there was a wealthy shepherd who had lots and lots of sheep, he might stop paying attention to all of them. He might even hire people to help with his sheep, people who don’t care about the sheep, but only about the pay check.
There are a few practical and spiritual lessons for us here.
First, always take care of what God has given to you. Do you have a flock of sheep? Probably not. But do you have other riches that God has graciously given to you? Yes. Not the least of which is your own person, your body and mind, your time and energy. Stewarding all that God has given to us is of utmost importance.
Second, we must never allow our riches to be a source of pride. Boasting in what you’ve earned makes sense, but boasting in a gift is illogical. But here’s the thing – it’s ALL a gift. In God’s economy you haven’t earned a thing. In fact, if God gave you what you deserved you’d be in Hell right now. Why don’t riches last forever? Because you didn’t earn them. If you earned them, and then God took them away from you, then he’d be unjust. But when all is gift, then the Lord can give and the Lord can take away, blessed be the name of the Lord.
Finally, never forget that in Christ there are riches that last forever. The unsearchable riches of Christ. Earned by Christ so that they can never be taken from him nor any that are in him. All else will fade away with time, but Christ in you is forever.
May we all give attention to this truth.
You: In what ways do you boast in your wealth?
You in Christ: In Christ we have his eternal riches. How does this put our earthly wealth into perspective?
Christ in you: How would your use of your riches change if you truly believed that it is a gift from God not an earned wage?
Pray: Father, you have shared all your riches with me through your Son, Jesus. Help me to pay attention to who I am in him every day. Amen.
To Live is Christ 