Bible Reading: Proverbs 22: 1-29
“By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, honour and life” – Proverbs 22:4(KJV)
No one exists in life who does not need a quantum of all the above mentioned blessings. However, there are several avenues by which riches and honour can be gotten. Riches can be gotten, as stated above, by humility and the fear of the LORD. Genuine fear of God which emanates from a deep love for God attracts divine favour. This was the kind of fear Solomon had for God at the beginning of his reign. His awesome love for God attracted divine favour to Solomon and caused men to bring him riches from far and near. Humility is the opposite of pride. A humble soul God cannot forsake. Humility opens to us an inestimable treasure via God’s favour. Humbling ourselves before God is a channel through which you tap into divine provision. By humility we obey divine instruction. Deut. 28:12(KJV) says: “The LORD shall open unto the his good treasure, the heaven to give the rain unto thy land in his season, and to bless all the works of thine hand: and thou shall lend unto many nations, thou shall not borrow.” All these blessings are through obedience to divine instructions. It is a humble heart that will be sensitive to hear God’s voice.
It takes humility and fear of the LORD to yearn, hunger and pursue after God. These were the attributes of Isaac that brought him great riches and honour that even the Philistines envied him (Genesis 26: 12-14). Through obedience to divine instruction which came by fear and humility, Isaac sowed in famine and reaped a life transforming bountiful harvest that resulted in envy among the people he dwelt with. Riches and honour are domiciled with God. When we fear God, we honour, obey and serve him and in reciprocation we become recipients of riches, honour and longevity. “Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: will set him on high, because he has known my name. With long life will I satisfy him, and show him my salvation” – Psalm 91:14/16(KJV).
On the other hand, riches amassed by oppressing the poor in the land is a grievous sin before God. This, however, is what we see in our society today- oppression of various degrees and from different quarters. The rich getting richer by exploiting the poor. If you are in this situation whereby you are taking advantage of the less privileged, you are only undoing yourself because God has determined to plead their cause. Hear what the Scripture says: “Rob not the poor because he is poor; neither oppress the afflicted in the gate: For the LORD will plead their cause, and spoil the soul of those that spoiled them” – Proverbs 22:22-23(KJV).
The quest for riches and honour induce many people to do things that God frowns at. Riches gotten outside God is vexation of spirit, it ruptures destiny and result in terrible end. The blessings of the LORD makes rich and adds no sorrow (Proverbs 10:22).God has an inexhaustible reserved of riches, honour and longevity for those who fear, honour and obey Him. Do you need all that are mentioned above, then follow after Matthew 6:33(KJV): “But seek ye first the kingdom of God , and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” All these things include riches, honour and abundant life (John 10:10). Don’t forget that God knows the intent of your heart. He knows whether if He gives you the blessing, you would use it to oppress or use it to bless life. Humble yourself before God and He shall lift you up.
Prayer: Lord, uproot from me every seed of pride, help me to love you all the days of my life in Jesus name.
Rev. Julius Oluwole