Dichotomy of Riches

Scripture:
Do not wear yourself out to get rich;
    do not trust your own cleverness.
Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone,
    for they will surely sprout wings
    and fly off to the sky like an eagle.
Proverbs 23:4-5

Observation: As one of the 30 wise sayings is a theme that is repeated in several of them - do not pursue riches for the sake of riches itself. Do not work harder and harder in the pursuit of material goods and worldly possessions, but instead work hard as a means to provision in your life. In doing so, God will provide what you need.

In this specific version of this them, there is an emphasis on using our own means and schemes and cleverness to get rich, with the result being that riches are temporary and fleeting. We can do all sorts of things to become rich, but it is not reliable that richness will stay with us. Other verses discuss how riches can be lost through the actions of the rich - gluttonous eating and drinking, which then produces tiredness and laziness, both spend the money and impact the earning of more, leading to ruin. Therefore, it is unwise to pursue or desire riches.

Application: By any meaningful measure, I am rich. I may not be "live in a mansion with a dozen cars and attendants and unlimited wealth" rich, but I am "not really worried about money or going out any time I want with plenty of money for nice trips" rich. From a worldwide perspective, I have all I need and more. I have that full load, measured out and overflowing. There is no meaningful definition of the word "rich" that doesn't include my situation.

How big of a problem is that? Am I being sinful or at least unwise? I believe the overall teaching on the subject needs to include three elements. First, I need to be okay with the idea that my material situation is temporary. If we lose it, we need to lose it in the right way, and that being the second point ... I cannot get lazy or be a sluggard in life, nor can I allow the enjoyment of my riches to impede my daily work, but rather I must continue to labor at my holy vocation and serve God as I do it. And thirdly, I must recognize that my work is a gift from God, and my ability to do it exists only in the context of his provision in my life.

In other words, I do not earn money through my own cleverness. However, I also do not receive it in order to enjoy for myself. I receive riches as a blessing from God, which I am to in turn use to bless others. I am to continue to work diligently so I can pass on the blessing. That paying forward of the blessing may be in tuition for my kids, or it may be in the form of church giving, or it may be generosity to strangers, or it may be in allowing friends and associates to enjoy life.

I need to continue to pay this blessing to others.

Prayer: Lord, I do know I am blessed to be a blessing. I know this lesson, and I thank you for reminding me of it again today. I lay my current thoughts and challenges about finances at your feet and ask you to take them. I know they are petty, trivial, selfish, and meaningless. I give them to you. I know you will care for me in the manner I need, and aid me in caring for others in the manner you wish. The riches in my hands are not mine, they are yours, and I will obey you in their use. Amen.