Proverbs 21

Proverbs 21
More than 40 million people visit Las Vegas, Nevada, every year, and each one gambles an average of $530 in an effort to hit the jackpot. 
The desire to get rich quick is widespread. Few people would prefer to work hard and save for many years. That’s what makes the lure of winning so big. But too often, trying to get wealth without working for it leads only to further poverty.
God knows we want the quick and easy route to anything, but He also knows that receiving wealth without working for it is detrimental to our spiritual health. Wanting to have money or nice things isn’t necessarily a sin, but what we do to gain that treasure exposes the state of our heart and the seriousness of our commitment to God.  
In Proverbs 21, the Bible warns against seeking to obtain treasure by any number of shortcuts —  lying, violence, selfishness, and laziness. Proverbs 21:25 says, “the craving of a sluggard will be the death of him, because his hands refuse to work.” In contrast, “the plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty” (Proverbs 21:5). A person who works hard and honestly is called righteous. That person’s reward is life, prosperity, and honor (Proverbs 21:21).
When we have a relationship with Jesus, we recognize that He is more valuable than any amount of money. As a result, we aim to do things that please Him, like being generous and honest in our dealings with people. When our motives are pure, our worship of God will be pleasing — and that is a bigger blessing than hitting the jackpot could ever be.
Reflect:

• Have you ever gambled or played the lottery in an effort to “strike it rich”? How did that affect your relationships with God and others?
• Knowing that God wants us to do what is right from a pure heart, is there anything that needs to change about your attitude toward riches?

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