The rich person’s wealth is his fortress,
The ruin of the poor is their poverty.
Message: Wealth and its security
Time: Proverbs records multiple individuals as its author with Solomon as the principal author. Solomon died in 931 BC though most think the book was likely in its final form sometime before the end of Hezekiah’s reign in 686 BC. It is a book that instructs people on the path of wisdom. It speaks to all of life and living our lives under the authority and direction of God.
What the Lord is Saying: Finally, in this proverb, I see a different theme: wealth. I guess there was sort of a though of riches and being poor in verse 4 but it speaks more of working discipline. But the rest of the verses so far in chapter 10 just seem to be more common in their themes of righteous living in general. This one feels different.
The contrast clearly is wealth and what it brings rather than being poor. And yet this verse is more of a proclamation it would seem or an observation than something to emulate. It is almost a matter of fact statement. "The rich person’s wealth is his fortress." The rich person's wealth is important to them, his fortress: A fortress is a fortified building or complex designed for military defense. So the rich person counts on their wealth to protect them, per se.
In contrast, the poor person, with their poverty is their ruin: "The ruin of the poor is their poverty." In looking at other translations, I don't see much of a difference in words. Instead of ruin there is destruction. Instead of fortress it is the fortified or strong city.
Cambridge commentary says it well I think:
We have here an instance of the candour and sobriety of the moral teaching of this Book. Wealth has its advantages and poverty its drawbacks, and the fact is honestly stated. There is nothing of the unreality which represents poverty as in itself desirable, or wealth as in itself to be avoided.
Yes, that's it. And yet, ruin/destruction versus strong/fortified/fortress - seems to give rise to the idea that wealth is better. I see both with problems, but it does seem, based upon my observation that those with wealth have more of a peace about them. And perhaps they can engage in more activities, ministry activities one would hope, though it seems at times it gives opportunity for more relaxation and entertainment.
At 57 years old, the idea of retirement is coming up more. I spoke of this with a friend yesterday at lunch as we wondered how many more years. I felt like I had at least 10 good more years of working left in me and probably more. I can stay at my current job probably another 5 years and that would be somewhat normal and okay. And yet, I could leave right now and just adjust my lifestyle a little and probably be fine financially. But, in a way I am enjoying things the way they are and so maybe I should stay put. I don't feel a big draw to do anything else. But it isn't that I have more wealth to store up but I just have more of a desire to stay working or staying busy. Sort of an interesting idea right now for me.
And yet I don't want to be absorbed in work, but rather having a need to minister. At some point, my dad will pass and he has done a very good job with his job and managing it and either I will end up with that or it will end up more in the hands of my kids for their kids. That could end up making life even easier. I have the will to complete still and that is mostly dividing my wealth to good causes once I pass. I need to get that done. But, I still feel that great desire to help those in need. I like it and see that they have the need. I am concerned about those that are working hard and yet having trouble making it. Like Francis in Uganda, James and Joyce, Tonny and Alice. Even Daniel to a point and there are many more that I am not helping regularly. There is Geoffrey in Canada who now hasn't seen his wife Esther in 4 years. There is Benjamin, the pastor in Nigeria. I know he is need of funds for his ministry and orphanage. Jean Claude is doing well. I don't see a big need for him. He doesn't seem to be focused on wealth and it might sort of upset his world if there was an influx. Even Harris in India. Obviously, he needs a job and I am hopeful for that job. After that occurs, he seems eager to do what with it - maybe just support his mom. Kiran is another person in Pakistan. She is taking all she has to help orphans. Again, with so little, is there much of a focus on those that have so little or are the needs greater there. I mean, recently we had things to give away. I took them to Joy Junction with the thought they would help homeless. They were taken to a thrift store to be sold. I could end up buying back my things. Hmm.
I look at all of these people, in their developing countries and see there standard of living is so different. And yet as I interact with them and they request funds from me at times, though some don't, I can't help but compare my surrounding with theirs. For some, it seems extra money is needed, and yet there almost feels a danger to having more money. Without, they seem to have this great dependency on God. The pastors- James and Tonny are so focused on ministry in their lives. Maybe I am concerned about the depth of their faith, and maybe it seems that some have a tendency to not have depth because of their poor condition. And so while many seem to need a little bit more to help them out. Again, maybe having too much is a problem.
It is similar to what I see often with people that I hear win a large amount of money, like a lottery and how that impacts their lives. As a kid, I remember a show in 1983-1984 that had a short run. It was called Lottery! - "A lottery representative and his IRS partner meet various winners across the country to present the prizes and change their lives." Money impacts people and changes things. Even as I converse with Harris and see how his life can be lived in such a high moral manner. Why? Well, one he is single, but also he has little money. So again, does wealth or adding riches really help these people. At times, I even feel like God with them because I do have somewhat the means to help them and yet I wonder if it would be helpful. What would that wealth bring to them: I feel problems and a change of priorities.
For me, with more wealth, what would I do with it. Right, do a lot of home improvement. Probably could easily spend about $50,000 on this house and doing all sorts of improvements inside and out. I suppose that's what I stare at, my fortress and improving it. Which brings me back to the verse -- The rich person’s wealth is his fortress. So is that it? My home. That's my wealth. I mean, it is the first thing I think about to spend money on. Things for the home.
Perhaps this destruction is what is going on in Nigeria and the scamming of people international. With those folks, part of the blame seems to be their leaders and government that provide so little with the money that is given them. They have little so they invest in themselves. As Daniel mentions in Abuja. The workers get so little. Even at my job - the workers get little. The management gets a lot. There is so much inequity. Can it even be fixed and to what degree?
To have wealth is to have security. There is great tendency to many more problems with out wealth.
Prayer: O God, this idea of wealth is a tough one. All these people you have placed in my life is an honor for me to know. I have helped some, based upon your leading and so many have needs. I struggle with this and whether to keep helping and wonder if how I am helping is most appropriate and correct. It makes me wonder about me and my work and what I am working for to accumulate. What is the reason and what does it achieve? O God, I need your help. I thank you for these verses and the opportunity to study them and meditate on them. There is richness in their meanings and lots to consider.
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