Labor Not To Be Rich

Bible Reading: Proverbs 23:1-11

Key Verse: Verse 4  - “Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom.”

Key Words: Labour not to be rich

This is quite a statement. We are not to labor to be rich...that’s not the purpose of our labor. 

For the souls of men. We labor so we can buy tracts and spread the gospel and preach the Word. John 6:27 

For the love of it. We labor because we love to do a good day’s work, plus do a good job. 

Because we want to bring glory to God. I Corinthians 10:31 

We are teaching our children and our children’s children incorrectly when we teach them to labor to be rich. What if they succeed? In all likelihood they will say, “Look what I have done.” And what if they fail to become rich? Then they spend their lives feeling like a failure. We labor for God’s glory, ultimately riches will fail. 

George W. Truett, long-time pastor of First Baptist Church, Dallas, Texas, was invited to dinner in the home of a wealthy man in Texas. After the meal, the host led him to a place where they could get a good view of the surrounding area. 

Pointing to oil wells punctuating the landscape, he boasted, “Twenty-five years ago I had nothing. Now, as far as you can see, it’s all mine.” Looking in the opposite direction at his sprawling fields of grain, he said, “That’s all mine.” Turning east toward huge herds of cattle, he bragged, “They’re all mine.” Then, pointing to the west and a beautiful forest, he exclaimed, “That too is all mine.” He paused, expecting Truett to compliment him on his great success. 

Truett, however, placing a hand on the man’s shoulder and pointing heavenward, simply said, “How much do you have in that direction?” Thought provoking, isn’t it? 

 

                                                                                                Dr. Mike Rouse

What to do:  

✞ Labor for God’s glory so you can give to Him, not to be rich.