PAY OR PROFIT?

Can I pray for you in any way? Send any prayer requests to OurChristianWalk.com.

In Christ, Mark

The scriptures. May God bless the reading of His holy word.

Whoever scorns instruction will pay for it, but whoever respects a command is rewarded.

Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the Lord, and humility comes before honor.

Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord.

Whoever keeps commandments keeps their life, but whoever shows contempt for their ways will die.

Stop listening to instruction, my son, and you will stray from the words of knowledge.

Proverbs 13:13, 15:33, 16:20, 19:16, 19:27

This ends this reading from God's holy word. Thanks be to God.

What do you get out of life? Do you feel like you pay or profit from the days you are given?

Maybe you feel cursed, like you have to pay some cost for living whether in the way of hurt or sorrow or health or imprisonment or labor. You wonder if you will ever reach a day when you don’t feel used up, like you have nothing left to pay out.

Or maybe you just feel blessed, feeling and seeing every day as providing you with a rich gain. You bask in the comfort of riches, never finding yourself lacking in content because you have more than you could ever ask for.

Two very different perspectives on life but they both have one thing in common and that is the Lord.

You see, those who see themselves cursed are the ones who fail to see the Lord in their lives. If they claim to believer, then maybe they should look to the scriptures more to find the truth in the word of the Lord, a word that redefines how we define prosperity. Look at what these proverbs, individualized words of the Lord, have to say about profits and payments:

1. Whoever scorns instruction will pay for it, but whoever respects a command is rewarded. Proverbs 13:13

Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord. Proverbs 16:20

Pay or profit?

Well, if you scorn instruction, meaning basically that you disregard the Lord’s guidance and in doing so disrespect Him, then you can expect to pay for it. Conversely, respect and comply with His commands in obedience and you will find yourself rewarded with prosperity for the Lord blesses those who remain loyal and faithful to Him.

2. Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the Lord, and humility comes before honor. Proverbs 15:33

Pay or profit?

Well, if you possess wisdom and humbly submit to the Lord’s will and way in respect to Him, then you will find your way to be honored, favored for your faithful obedience in His sight. Choose to be your own god, shirking the true God to rely on your own understanding and you will pay the price. Rest assured that the Lord will not be mocked and will bring down the strongest person. Dishonor Him and He will ensure you end up dishonored yourself.

3. Stop listening to instruction, my son, and you will stray from the words of knowledge. Proverbs 19:27

Pay or profit?

We often have many people trying to lead and mentor us in the right direction. Perhaps you had a parent who was spiritually mature and sought to instill the ways of the Lord in you. But then you became old enough to get out on your own and maybe you felt relieved to get out from under what you thought was oppressive teaching about how to live. You wanted to spread your wings and live a little. After all, the world had so much to offer and experience.

And so you soaked up all life had to offer, living lavishly with an anything goes attitude. And then you, like the prodigal son in Luke’s Gospel, found out that there was a price to pay when you turn from your father’s instruction. Immersed in poverty, the son realized that he had wronged his father and needed to return in humility. Expecting his father’s consternation, instead he received his father’s reward and favor. He had paid the price and learned a valuable lesson. But when he recommitted himself to his father, he found himself rewarded.

The same will happen to anyone who chooses to return to the Lord, putting aside their foolish ways and humbling themselves by a recommitment to sacrificial obedience and compliance with the Lord’s direction and commands.

4. Whoever keeps commandments keeps their life, but whoever shows contempt for their ways will die. Proverbs 19:16

Pay or profit?

Maybe we’re talking about your very life being at stake.

God’s word is clear. Obedience to God’s instruction which includes keeping His commandments leads to one keeping their life. Conversely, those who show contempt for the Lord and His reign over them and all creation will die. There’s no gray area here.

It’s a far greater proposition than just pay or profit.

When it comes to obedience to the Lord’s instruction, it’s a matter of life or death.

The choice is ours to make.

Amen.

In Christ,

Mark

PS: Please share this with anyone you feel might be blessed by it.

Send any prayer requests to OurChristianWalk@aol.com