Proverbs 15: 6 (NLT)
“There is treasure in the house of the godly,
but the earnings of the wicked bring trouble.”
As I read through Proverbs looking for verses for the devotions, I often come across a verse like this one that makes me stop and go “hmmm”. I usually have trouble trying to figure out what comments I’d make, yet the verse intrigues me.
As we look at this verse today, the first thing I want to mention is not to get mislead by the word ‘wicked’. When I see that word, the associations that first come to my mind are evil, horrendous, dreadful, etc. – serious bad stuff. But when I look at the comparisons Solomon is making, I think they are more comparisons between people who put God first and those who don’t. So the ‘wicked’ folks are really just ordinary people who are living life on their own terms.
So what is the treasure here? I don’t think it’s money – at least that’s what the second part of the verse says. In our culture in North America, money and what it can buy is so important. I admit that I struggle with how much is enough. Does my home need to be ‘high-end’ in its finishes, appliances and furniture? Do I need fancy cars, exotic vacations, designer wardrobes? I don’t think there is anything wrong or inherently sinful in any of those things. But if we make them our priorities, then I think we’re treading on dangerous ground.
“There is treasure in the house of the godly”. So what is that treasure? I think it’s making God and His values a priority in our homes. God is wise, creative, loving, merciful, slow to anger, just, encouraging – just to name a few. If those are the characteristics of our homes, then our homes are indeed full of treasure.
Just stop and think for a moment. What if you were just scraping by financially – you didn’t have much stuff, but the crucial bills were paid? But the vibe in your home was fun, loving, encouraging, patient – and the list goes on – would you be content and happy with what you had?
So this verse today makes me stop and think about my priorities. Where do I look for ‘treasure’?
Our song for today is Who You Say I Am by Hillsong Worship.