Proverbs 13:21-22

²¹Trouble pursues the sinner, but the righteous are rewarded with good things. ²²A good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children, but a sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous.

Government

What’s your view about church leaders who’re involved in the government? Do you agree that Christians should avoid politics or actively involved in politics?

Few decades ago, a church leader was elected in government office. He was silent about corruption in the government because he received bribes from higher officials. The said church leader may have been conscience-stricken and did not spend bribes for his family. So the bribe money he received, he spent them in drinking spree with potential voters. But still, he lost in the next election.

Possibly, the Lord wanted him to learn what it says in Ecclesiastes 7:7,  ⁷Extortion turns a wise person into a fool, and a bribe corrupts the heart.

Someone said that only in politics where corrupt and wicked officials are called honorable. Should Christians avoid politics? Politics could be a testing ground for integrity. Joseph, the Prime Minister of Egypt, King David and Prophet Daniel were honest government officials in their generation.

Interestingly, the church is not exempted from wicked pastors and church leaders. Anyone can be tempted by wickedness. For our church leaders and pastors to exemplify good behaviors, it’s a good thing to pray for them regularly.

1.  Good Things

      ²¹Trouble pursues the sinner, but the righteous are rewarded with good things.

The term “trouble” includes “bad, unpleasant, misery, undesirable harms, adversity, affliction, calamity and distress” as result of evil deeds or wickedness. Anything we do not wish to happen or experience in our life is trouble for us.

In comparison the term “good things” include anything “pleasant, welfare, prosperity, good standing, happiness, bountiful and favor agreeable to senses.”  Rewards of righteous behavior are favorable blessings. Do you strongly agree?

Do you agree that the Lord grants prosperity to anybody, righteous or not? Together, let us reflect on Ecclesiastes 6:2, ²God gives some people wealth, possessions and honor, so that they lack nothing their hearts desire, but God does not grant them the ability to enjoy them, and strangers enjoy them instead.

We work so hard so that we can accumulate enough wealth; we want to enjoy abundance in life. We look forward to retirement and reward ourselves for our laborious toil. Such is a common mindset of majority people. Of course, it is but proper to enjoy the fruit of our labor and toil. And then after that, what’s next?

Do you have specific plan on how you spend your wealth? Will your heart be full of gladness? Have you ever experienced something while spending your money and plan to do the same thing again and again all the days of your life?

What’s most wonderful experience you wish to implore others to explore?

Do you love eating at exotic restaurant? Ask yourself: Would I wish to eat in that restaurant everyday all my life? Do you love to hike or bike? You entice others to join you and hike or bike. What personal experience you love to do all the days of your life regularly, and you wish others may join you to enjoy what you love to do? Do you love playing your favorite sports? What else? How about fishing?

Fishing

Few years ago, a fisherman invited his wife to go fishing. At first his wife did not want to go fishing because of work. Then one day, his wife joined him and caught a huge fish. From then on, his wife eagerly enjoyed fishing with him.

How do you entice others to join your activities? Most often, it is easier to invite people with similar interest. Likewise, how could we invite others to join us during midweek worship service? What motivates you to join prayer meeting? Involvement in church activities is transformational work of the Holy Spirit in us.

Reflect on what it declares in Ecclesiastes 3:12-14, ¹²I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. ¹³That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God. ¹⁴I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that people will fear him.

God is forever satisfied. He is the source of everlasting joy. Anyone may have material wealth, but God favors the good person to enjoy what they do. To be satisfied with what we have and enjoy what we do, we seek approval from God. To expect others to join midweek service, we pray for divine intervention. Do you sense God’s approval for you as righteous and good person? Praise him!

2.  Good Person

²²A good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children, but a sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous.

It is one thing to store up treasure, but it’s another thing to enjoy treasures.

There are reports about treasures that have been found buried in tombs. There are reports about treasures discovered by treasure divers in the oceans. Just imagine how much effort exerted to gather those treasures only to be buried in tombs or to be sunk in the ocean, and to be discovered by treasure hunters.

How strong do you agree that wealth accumulated from wickedness is inherited by the righteous? The term, “righteous” may include children, relatives, friends, and even strangers, charitable institutions and churches as well.

Leaving an inheritance for their children’s children is also practical exhibit of being good person. King Solomon wrote this passage; he may have confirmed that it is not just an assumption but proven true by his good father King David.

Although, King Solomon had accumulated much wealth in his generation, it was King David who made preparation for the gold, silver, iron and everything that was used in the temple that King Solomon magnificently built in Jerusalem.

King David was quick to acknowledge the Lord in 1 Chronicles 29:12-14:

¹²Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all. ¹³Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name. ¹⁴But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand.

Personally, if we acknowledge without hesitation that everything we enjoy in life comes from the Lord, we won’t hesitate to give back to the Lord his portion and our offerings. In such case, we’re growing spiritually mature like King David.

Parents: As you prepare for the future, you might be storing up wealth for the righteous. Who are the righteous that you store up wealth for, your children or your grandchildren? Regularly pray also that your children may grow strong in their faith in Christ and follow him faithfully all the days of their life, like you do.

Ecclesiastes 5:13-14 warns us, ¹³I have seen a grievous evil under the sun: wealth hoarded to the harm of its owners, ¹⁴or wealth lost through some misfortune, so that when they have children there is nothing left for them to inherit.

Listen carefully children: If you hope your parents may leave inheritance for your own children, always pray that your parents behave properly before God.

According to statistics, not a few Christian couples filed for divorce, and most often, their children suffer from the effect of divorce. Nobody is exempted. Religious or not yet, anyone can be tempted by human sinful instinct.

But, praise belongs to God who called us into his kingdom. God is faithful to those who are faithful to him. Biblically, one reason we attend prayer meeting is to encourage one another to be faithful to the Lord because we just cannot trust our own volition or preference. Only God can help us to be faithful to him.

The idea of storing up wealth may entice anybody but the ability to enjoy what we have saved or stored up is divine blessing that comes from the Lord.

May God continue to pour out double portion of his blessings in your life so that your life will serve as practical proof that the Lord favors faithful believers!

May God pour out his grace even to you who participated with us online so that you may desire to join us in person regularly also! Glory to God forever!

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