Loading... KNOWLEDGE RATHER THAN GOLD - Proverbs 8:10
Friday, February 29th, 2008Proverbs 8:10 Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold.
What is your priority in life? Are you too busy chasing gold and silver that you fail to see the needs of those around you? Are you consumed with the desire for riches that you lack the riches that are eternal?
Christ commanded us in the Sermon on the Mount that we are to Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Matthew 6:19-21
Satan knows how easy it will be for you to make money your god. If he can get you to focus your attention upon the money you have or the money you wish you had, then he has started to win the battle for your heart and mind. If you are more concerned about your finances then you are about the things of God; then Satan knows that you will not be very likely to hear the still small voice of God.
It is important to add knowledge of the ways of God to your life. The more time you spend adding knowledge to your life, the less time you will have to chase those things of this world that do not have any eternal value.
Hezekiah was a righteous king. One day Hezekiah became sick unto death. Hezekiah however pleaded with the Lord for a longer life. God heard the plea of Hezekiah, and HE granted Hezekiah an additional 15 years. As a sign to Hezekiah that God had heard his prayers, God caused the shadow to go backwards 10 degrees. Because of this sign, the Babylonians came to Jerusalem to see the king. Hezekiah showed to the ambassadors the riches of the country. Hezekiah chose to show off his wealth rather than show off the power of God, and the results were disastrous.
After the death of Hezekiah, Manasseh, the son of Hezekiah was the next to rule. Manasseh did not do that which was right in the eyes of God and in fact, Manasseh caused his own son to pass through the fire so as to appease the false gods. Manasseh was born three years after Hezekiah was healed. The fact that Hezekiah became more concerned about money after God granted him 15 years seems to have had an impact on his son because rather than serve God, Manasseh served the false gods of his day. In addition, all the wealth that was in Jerusalem eventually ended up in Babylon.
If it is your desire to seek after the knowledge of God, you will find it. When you have the power of God in your life, those around you will see that power and they too will desire to have what you have. However, if others look at your life and only see you proclaiming the power of God and not obtaining that which you preach, then they will want no part of what you say you have because they will see your hypocrisy.
What is the most important thing to you? Is it your relationship with God or is it your pocketbook. It is easy to say that God is more important to you, but does a close examination of your life really prove the point.