Bible Reading: Psalm 73
“But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped. For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. …….Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; and increase in riches – Psalm 73: 2-3,12(KJV).
These verses of scriptures vividly describe what is prevalent in the world today. The world system that is dominantly structured outside God gives room for cutting corners, being smart and deceptive. The riches of the world especially in the third world countries are mostly established on ungodly foundations. People acquire wealth through corruption, stealing and looting of the people’s treasury. These individuals, through their ungodly means and connections, become very rich, display their wealth in such an arrogant manner, that the righteous is tempted to envy them. They donate heavily in church project launch and are applauded. They steal the show as their donation becomes talk of the moment. They do all sort of things to be rich, even to the extent of taking lives that may be standing on their way. “Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment” – Psalm 73:6(KJV).
In some societies you cannot be rich or acquire wealth without involving yourself in nefarious and ungodly activities. What a godly person will not do such as giving bribe, the ungodly sees it as a normal thing to do. Society does not see anything wrong with it. In some clime they have legalized it as ‘tip’. This is what the Psalmist saw when he said, “These are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; and increase in riches” -Psalm 73:12(KJV). However, wealth and riches acquired in ungodly manner, or wickedness and pride that emanates from riches attracts divine retribution with dire consequences. A righteous man should as a matter of godly fear never envy possessors of such wealth because God sets them in slippery places and cast them down into destruction (Psalm 73:18). The bible further illustrates their destruction, “How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! They are utterly consumed with terrors” – Psalm 73: 19(KJV).
As believers, we need not envy the wealth of the ungodly. Jesus Christ came to release the riches of God to us, which is referred to as the unsearchable riches of Christ. God has through Jesus Christ given us all that pertain to life and godliness which include true riches (2Peter 1:3). He became poor that we might be rich through his poverty“ – 2 Corinthians 8:8(KJV). The secret of the riches from God is obedience to the instructions of God and liberality. “And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work” True riches is in Christ. It is sweatless and unencumbered. It does not carry any negative consequences. “The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it” – Proverbs 10:22 (KJV). It is my heart desire that the reader of this piece will seek after God in order to be a recipient of the true contentment in Christ.
Prayer: Father, thank you for giving me all that pertain to life and godliness.
Bro. Joel Ezeugo