Proverbs - Envy Not the Oppressor

Proverbs 3:31-35

 Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways.

For the froward is abomination to the LORD:

but his secret is with the righteous.

The curse of the LORD is in the house of the wicked:

but he blesseth the habitation of the just.

Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly.

 The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools.

                        We can look at others and wish we had what they had.  The problem is we don’t see all that they have.  They might have the nice house and nice cars but they also may have the nice child-support payments, tax-liens against that nice house, bitterness that makes them angry at the world and no faithful friends in their lives.  Our homes will be blessed as we do those things that are right.  When we make our children’s training a priority over our own career or education, when we make our husbands the object of our respect and affection, when we don’t think life consists of an abundance of possessions, this will result in a blessed habitation. 

                        Wisdom will give us a glorious life but foolishness will bring shame.

Proverbs - Don't Be Hasty to Get Rich

Proverbs 28:22

He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him.

The Lord never intended us to operate in a hasty way to make money.  This could lead to gambling, risks, criminal activity and getting involved with people to our own demise.  Money can lure us down a dangerous road.  We should never labor to get rich and we must not love money.  If we do love money we will be serving another God.  We cannot serve both God and money.  The Lord can bless us and He might choose to give us riches but we must not pursue such schemes.  This is usually rooted in a bit of slothfulness and impatience.  It might even be rooted in covetousness and a lack of gratefulness.  When we feel the pull to be hasty to get rich, consider that poverty most likely will come out of it.  If it seems too good to be true it probably is.  Seek first His kingdom.  Work for your Lord.  He will add those things that you need.