Verses for Thought

Posted on April 10 2007

Proverbs 21:25-26 The sluggard’s craving will be the death of him, because his hands refuse to work. All day long he craves for more, but the righteous give without sparing.

Laziness will not be tolerated by our God. This bible verse tells us that anyone who expects things to be given to them without lifting a finger will be punished. God continues in 2 Thessalonians 3:10, saying: “If a man will not work, he shall not eat.” This is referring to those will not work, not those who cannot work. If you are able, but unwilling to work you are considered a sluggard in God’s eyes.

Proverbs 28:20 A faithful man will be richly blessed, but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished.

In this verse I am reminded of all the get rich quick programs out there in our world. God is basically saying that the faithful man will go to work and be blessed, while the hasty man will get nowhere and find nothing. This man, one who seeks quick riches, is unaware that poverty awaits him.

Luke 16:10-11 “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?”

Deceitfulness refers to not only purposefully lying to others, but also not being entirely honest. A lie that Satan wants our society to believe is that one cannot be both successful and honest. God will bless each of us with what he feels we can handle. Whether it is a little or a lot, we must understand that it isn’t even ours.

Luke 12:15 Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”

Greediness is consistently desiring more or always wanting the best. Greed is the truest sense of falling in love with money and never having enough. It can tear apart a family, it can devour a heart, and it can deceive many. Jesus says to “Watch Out!”

Psalm 73:2-3 But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold. For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

Covetousness is desiring what others have. Media and advertising are some of the main driving forces of covetousness. Commercialization basically shows us all the new and improved items that we must have. Whether it is a car commercial, breakfast cereal, or aftershave, everyone wants your money. I am sure you have heard the saying “keeping up with the Joneses.” They have the biggest house, the shiniest cars, the nicest clothing, and everything that would make you happy, right? Things can sure look good from the outside, but how does everything look from the inside? Maybe what we don’t know is that the Joneses are fighting addictions, having health problems, and stress and sadness is destroying their family. We should be happy and satisfied with what we’ve got, because God knows what is best for us. He knows what we can and cannot handle. He knows our hearts and knows are desires. He is our father and creator and he just asks for us to trust in him so he can carry our burdens and cares. Do not fall in love with money; fall in love with the fact that Jesus loves you and will provide for you as long as you trust him.

Colossians 3:23-24 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

Jeral Croaker FLCS Certified Credit Counselor