Do Not Love Wealth and Wickedness – (Proverbs 22:16)

Daily Bible Study
This passage describes two sides of the same sin, which is dishonesty and wickedness because of greed. This passage deals with social injustice and our responsibility to help others, because we are part of the family of God. These passages speak of the sin of greed by giving us the example of someone withholding payment when payment is due. And these passages give us the example of not helping those in need when help is expected and we have the means to do so. Moreover, it refers to not doing so in order that we may have more for ourselves. In addition, it gives an example of greed, by taking that very same wealth, which we stole from others, and then giving part of it to the rich. And doing so in an effort to entice the rich to give us something more in return, to gain favor we do not deserve, or to create more wealth for ourselves. All of these actions reflect a heart of wickedness, greed, rebellion against God and stealing from the Lord. Therefore the Lord shall not hold someone blameless, who treats the Lord's provisions and blessings in this manner. We have to remember all blessings come from God, this includes our talents and abilities to earn a living.

All of humanity is created in the image of God, and this means the personal attributes we have like physical ability and intellect are gifts from God. And this also means that the fact we can use these attributes to gain wealth, are also a gift from God. More importantly, these are gifts we have a responsibility to use wisely in a God honoring fashion. Why is this so important to remember? Because all people great and small, followers of Christ or not, are expected and called by God to use their time, talents and resources to help those in need around us. And to not just help, but to help them gain the ability to sustain themselves, so they in turn can share their blessings with others. So when people behave as the passage above describes, they are really withholding the Lord's blessings from an intended recipient. Then profaning the Lord by taking those very same blessings and using them wrongly in order to get more for themselves in return. God will not honor this type of behavior. Moreover, to do so, only builds wrath against ourselves for the day of God's judgment and brings the discipline of God into our lives. And because the Lord is long-suffering wanting none to perish, God may give us time to repent before bringing discipline or bringing to an end our rebellion against Him.