Getting Ahead Is Losing Ground

A person who gets ahead by oppressing the pooror by showering gifts on the rich will end in poverty.

Proverbs 22:16

Ladies, how do you think this applies to us? In this verse there are two things criticized: oppressing the poor and showering gifts on the rich. At first glance these two things would appear to have nothing in common, but when we think about it, we realize that both of these things are done to get ahead, to be seen, to gain, even if someone else has to lose. This kind of striving—even when giving—is just plain old-fashioned selfishness, and it’s self serving.

It’s been said that “the world provides enough for every man’s need, but not enough for every man’s greed.”

In Luke 6:33 Jesus said, “If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same” (NKJV).

And in Luke 14:12-14 Jesus said, “When you give a dinner or a supper, do not ask your friends, your brothers, your relatives, nor rich neighbors, lest they also invite you back, and you be repaid. But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind. And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you; for you shall be repaid at the resurrection of the just” (NKJV).

So the bottom line is this: Jesus said, “You will be blessed.” The blessed life is the giving life. It is the life of doing little, random acts of kindness. It’s adding a blessing to someone else. It’s putting someone else first—just because.

Make It Personal . . . Live It Out!

Jesus did not promise us a cushy, pampered life as the formula for abundance. Quite the contrary. He said, “I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels—a plentiful harvest of new lives” (John 12:24).

Let’s Pray

Lord, help me to resist the selfish moments, knowing that the giving life is rich in blessing and joy.

One Year Bible Reading

Ecclesiastes 4:1–6:12; 2 Corinthians 6:14–7:7; Psalm 47:1-9; Proverbs 22:16