Hasting to Be Rich - Proverbs 28:22

In the book of Proverbs Solomon said, “to have respect of persons is not good: for for a piece of bread that man will transgress”, and in chapter twenty-eight and verse twenty-two of Proverbs Solomon said, “he that hastes to be rich has an evil eye” where we read,

He that hastes to be rich has an evil eye,

and considers not that poverty shall come upon him.

The verse begins, “He that hastes to be rich has an evil eye, ...” Solomon began with the words, “he that hastes” or “the person whether male or female who hurries, rushes and is anxious” “to be rich” which means “to exist as wealthy, noble and with great substance” “has an evil eye” or “holds, owns and possesses a mental and spiritual faculty or a physical eye that is disagreeable, malignant, unpleasant and displeasing”. Solomon said the person who hurries to be wealthy possesses mental and spiritual faculties which are malignant and wicked. 

The verse goes on to say, “... and considers not that poverty shall come upon him.” Solomon continued with the words, “and considers not” or “and does not know, perceive, discriminate or discern” “that poverty shall come upon him” which means “that want, lack and impoverishment will enter and fall upon him, the person who hastes to be rich”. Solomon said the person who is hasty to become wealthy is unaware that impoverishment shall fall upon them. 

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn through Solomon how we are not to be anxious to become wealthy. In our haste we may not perceive that impoverishment may fall upon us. God possesses everything, (See Psalms 24:1) and He distributes His belongings to whomever He wills. Nothing material we gain on the earth will go with us when we leave this world through death, and rather than desiring only earthly wealth, we have the opportunity to have “riches in heaven”. (See Matthew 6:19-21) God loves us, and He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind. When we believe and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life teach us to value “true riches” and not just the wealth the world has to offer. (See Luke 16:11) 

Next time Solomon shares about the person, “that rebukes a man”, 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".