Dangerous Speed

Read Proverbs 28

The trustworthy person will get a rich reward, but a person who wants quick riches will get into trouble.

Proverbs 28:20

Late-night TV’s sleep-inducing, snowy rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner” (signaling that the television is going to bed before we are) has new competition in town: the dawn of the infomercial. Now, we can enjoy back-to-back testimonials from fellow insomniacs who ordered the latest moneymaking-ploy package and retired in an Italian villa six months later.

The Bible warns us of the get-rich-quick scheme, but not because making money is inherently evil. Money is not the issue. The pursuit of money is more the point. Those who want money above all else are destined for troubling temptations: Tax evasion. Fraud. Debt. Chapter 13.

When we want to be faithful more than we want to be rich, a funny thing happens: Money finally finds its proper place in our lives. We begin to see the fruit of faithfulness, such as ripened relationships nourished by integrity, as a more valuable commodity. Though our bank statements may never be summoned as a television testimonial, the quality of our lives will testify to our rich reward.

A WORD FOR TODAY

Better to be counted on than count your riches.

Today, Lord, help me want to be faithful above any other earthly desire. Lead me to taste and enjoy the fruit of being trustworthy.