Proverbs 13:5-7 – Lasting Treasure
Notice that verse 5 doesn’t say that a righteous man never lies. They do sin, they do lie, but they hate what is false. The child of God, though always a sinner, hates sin. And just because a man doesn’t lie, it doesn’t mean he is righteous. He may be acting out of selfish motives or fear of others. But true faith changes our attitudes toward sin – we hate it, we don’t avoid it because we have to, but because we want to. We start to see things the way God sees them. But how often even in the church is this characteristic of a Christian obscured! Strict truth is sacrificed to politeness, falsehood implied or insinuated, and the truth is exaggerated.
If only the repetition of verse six would drill it into our heads that sin leads to destruction and righteousness to life. If we really believed that, wouldn’t it motivate us to stop sinning and be more obedient The fear of man, the reluctance to do what is right, the desire to have our way, the temptations of sin – all would pale in comparison to the fear of God. Not that our obedience saves us, rather it is a loving response to Christ saving us. It is His work that brings us into heaven, not ours. But the man who has trusted in Christ is kept safe in this life through living obediently.
Verse 7 can also be translated this way: “There is one who makes himself rich, yet has nothing; And one who makes himself poor, yet has great riches.” There are men and women who are wealthy beyond imagining in money or popularity or success, but they have no faith in Jesus Christ, and when they die, they stand before God with nothing. There are those who have given all they have in loving service to God, barely noticed by the world, but they have an immense treasure beyond the reach of decay or theft. Which are you?
Questions
- What is the Christian’s attitude toward sin?
- How can we be rich in the things that will last?
Prayer Points
- Pray that we would fight against sin in our lives.
- Use prayer points from your congregation.
- Pray for family matters.