Proverbs 21 Devotional Study

There’s no such thing as “get rich quick”

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. Last year, the Powerball broke the record at $1.6 billion.

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.

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Reflect:
Proverbs 21:1	The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.
Proverbs 21:2	Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts.
Proverbs 21:3	To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
Proverbs 21:4	An high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is sin.
Proverbs 21:5	The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want.
Proverbs 21:6	The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death.
Proverbs 21:7	The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them; because they refuse to do judgment.
Proverbs 21:8	The way of man is froward and strange: but as for the pure, his work is right.
Proverbs 21:9	It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house.
Proverbs 21:10	The soul of the wicked desireth evil: his neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes.
Proverbs 21:11	When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.
Proverbs 21:12	The righteous man wisely considereth the house of the wicked: but God overthroweth the wicked for their wickedness.
Proverbs 21:13	Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.
Proverbs 21:14	A gift in secret pacifieth anger: and a reward in the bosom strong wrath.
Proverbs 21:15	It is joy to the just to do judgment: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.
Proverbs 21:16	The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead.
Proverbs 21:17	He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.
Proverbs 21:18	The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, and the transgressor for the upright.
Proverbs 21:19	It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman.
Proverbs 21:20	There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.
Proverbs 21:21	He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour.
Proverbs 21:22	A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth down the strength of the confidence thereof.
Proverbs 21:23	Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.
Proverbs 21:24	Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath.
Proverbs 21:25	The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour.
Proverbs 21:26	He coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and spareth not.
Proverbs 21:27	The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind?
Proverbs 21:28	A false witness shall perish: but the man that heareth speaketh constantly.
Proverbs 21:29	A wicked man hardeneth his face: but as for the upright, he directeth his way.
Proverbs 21:30	There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.
Proverbs 21:31	The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD.

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