25.018 | A False Sense Of Security | Prov 18:11-12 | God’s Word for Today with Pastor Nazario Sinon

God’s Word For Today

Text: Prov 18:11-12 ESV

11 A rich man's wealth is his strong city, and like a high wall in his imagination.

12 Before destruction a man's heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor.

-Prov 18:11-12 ESV

A FALSE SENSE OF SECURITY

Riches do tempt people towards a false sense of security, don’t they? The love of wealth can interfere with our spiritual walk for it numbs us to our dependence on God (Mat 19:23). Obviously, there are practical advantages to money. A rich person can overcome a lot of setbacks and complications in life more easily than a poor person. Yet, money neither can do everything nor secure our souls eternally. God may allow war, economic collapse, and other factors to destroy man’s wealth in an instant. Definitely, money cannot achieve the impossible.

Thinking of wealth as a stable source of security is a wishful thinking. Many work tirelessly to build a fortune, only to discover later that trusting in wealth for security is like building house upon a sand. Jesus tells a parable that wealth and possessions may collapse as surely and as swiftly as a house built on sand collapses in a violent storm (Mat 7:26–27). Even if money would last to the end of one's earthly life, it can't be brought along into eternity (1 Tim 6:7; Luke 12:16–21). In Proverbs 23:4,5, Solomon gives cautions: "Do not toil to acquire wealth; be discerning enough to desist. When your eyes light on it, it is gone, for suddenly it sprouts wings, flying like an eagle toward heaven." Amid his trials, Job reflected on the fact that he had not put excessive trust in his gold. He knew better than to feel secure in riches (Job 31:24–25).

The abundance of money may corrupt one’s heart to become proud. He might be oblivious to his mistake. This deception due to a wrong perspective on money is also echoed in Prov 11:2, that says, “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom. This is also enforced by Prov 16:18, “ Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.

Today, may we will learn to draw our confidence in Christ alone. Like Paul, we may say, “11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”[Phil 4:11-13]

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