Labor Not to Be Rich - Proverbs 23:4

In the book of Proverbs Solomon said, “when you sit to eat with a ruler, consider diligently what is before you, and put a knife to your throat, if you be a man given to appetite. Be not desirous of his dainties: for they are deceitful meat”, and in chapter twenty-three and verse four of Proverbs Solomon said, “labor not to be rich” where we read,

Labor not to be rich:

cease from your own wisdom.

The verse begins, “Labor not to be rich:” Solomon began with the words, “labor not” or “do not toil, grow weary and become exhausted” “to be rich” which means “to become wealthy and made noble”. Solomon instructed his readers and listeners not to toil and become exhausted for the purpose of being wealthy. 

The verse continues, “cease from your own wisdom.” Solomon added the words, “cease from” or “come to an end, forbear and forsake” “your own wisdom” which means “your, Solomon's readers and listeners', own personal understanding, discernment and knowledge”. Solomon said to come to an end separate and apart from his readers and listener's own personal knowledge and understanding. 

When we meditate upon Solomon's words in this verse, we learn how we are not to toil to exhaustion to be wealthy and noble, and we are to forsake our own personal understanding and discernment. God wants to lead us into all truth by His Holy Spirit, (See John 16:33) and when we surrender to His Son Jesus who died on the cross for our sins, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and teach us the value of not growing weary in toil just to become wealthy in this world. 

Next time Solomon asks, “will you set your eyes on that which is not?”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".