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Sermon Introduction

Some like to show off their wealth, and some like to pretend they are wealthy. The opposite is also true. Some are not flamboyant and prefer to be discrete. Some are obsessed with social status or the power that wealth brings. Wealth on the fast lane is a tempting proposition, but it is a dangerous one. Those who fear the Lord will remain suspicious of get-rich-quick schemes. They avoid offers that are too good to be true because they suspect it. And if the offers are valid, they are most likely illegal. If caught, there are consequences. Yet, despite the dangers, greed possesses the hearts of many. Greed camouflages the danger, and the greedy do not mind or are too blind or naïve to see. Their greedy hearts lure them into a trap; it is a trap with darts, arrows, and spears. The wise in heart will avoid this trap.

The fear of God, the beginning of wisdom, is a guard against the traps of greed. Godly wisdom is an antidote to the poison of greed. Thus, may we learn awareness, truthfulness, and consistency in building our reserves.

Dr. Steve Bonilla
Elder

Proverbs 13:7

7 One pretends to be rich, yet has nothing;
another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth.

Proverbs 13:11

11 Wealth gained hastily will dwindle,
but whoever gathers little by little will increase it.

Proverbs 28:20

20 A faithful man will abound with blessings,
but whoever hastens to be rich will not go unpunished.

Notes

Some like to show off their wealth, and some like to pretend they are wealthy. The opposite is also true. Some are not flamboyant and prefer to be discrete. Some are obsessed with social status or the power that wealth brings. Wealth on the fast lane is a tempting proposition, but it is a dangerous one. Those who fear the Lord will remain suspicious of get-rich-quick schemes. They avoid offers that are too good to be true because they suspect it. And if the offers are valid, they are most likely illegal. If caught, there are consequences. Yet, despite the dangers, greed possesses the hearts of many. Greed camouflages the danger, and the greedy do not mind or are too blind or naïve to see. Their greedy hearts lure them into a trap; it is a trap with darts, arrows, and spears. The wise in heart will avoid this trap.

The fear of God, the beginning of wisdom, is a guard against the traps of greed. Godly wisdom is an antidote to the poison of greed. Thus, may we learn awareness, truthfulness, and consistency in building our reserves.

1. Wealth on Disguise

   Not everything is as plain as black and white. Some things are a paradox, and irony, a reversal of the real thing. Some show themselves as rich but are not so. Yet they bask in the temporary limelight. Yet another camouflage the wealth.
   
   7 One pretends to be rich, yet has nothing;
   another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth (Prov. 13:7).
   
   

2. Wealth that Dwindles

   Wisdom warns the reader about gaining wealth hastily. Such wealth dwindles. Conversely, those who gather wealth in small portions consistently will grow it. The latter is the model to follow.
   
   11 Wealth gained hastily will dwindle,
   but whoever gathers little by little will increase it (Prov. 13:11).
   
   

3. Wealth without Punishment

   Wisdom states that a faithful person will have many blessings. Faithful means trustworthy, loyal, and steady. However, wisdom warns about those who are hasty in getting rich. The book of Proverbs consistently warns against this.
   
   20 A faithful man will abound with blessings,
   but whoever hastens to be rich will not go unpunished (Prov. 28:20).
   
   

Application

1. Don’t Show Off

   Should the Lord bless us with wealth, let us not show off. Instead, let us use it for how He instructed us: honor Him, practice generosity, and build our reserves. Seeking the praise of others is unnecessary.
   
   

2. Build Patiently

   Let us remove all desire for get-rich-quick schemes. Instead, we should think well and work well. Furthermore, let us build our reserves patiently and consistently. Haste will lead to waste.
   
   

3. Build Faithfully

   By His grace, let us cultivate faithfulness through the meditation of His word, fervent prayer, and the church community. The reward is abundant blessings, which are not limited to earthly wealth.
   
   
   

Reflection & Discussion

1. What are the possible reasons for the pretensions?

2. What happens to wealth gained quickly? How should we build it?

3. Contrast the faithful and the hasty. Explain.