24.279 | LITTLE BY LITTLE | Proverbs 13:11-12 | God’s Word for Today with Pastor Nazario Sinon

God’s Word For Today

God’s Word for Today

20 Nov, 2024

11 Wealth gained hastily will dwindle,

but whoever gathers little by little will increase it.

12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick,

but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life.

- Prov 13:11-12 ESV

LITTLE BY LITTLE

Generally, wealth obtained through instant means like lottery, gambling, and fraud is not valued. Most likely, it will be squandered through excessive spending easily. A few days ago, a Singaporean man stole US$230 million in cryptocurrency in USA. According to CNA, “Government surveillance captured (Lam) at Los Angeles nightclubs spending hundreds of thousands of dollars per night, and gifting handbags valued at tens of thousands of dollars,” a law enforcement officer told the court, according to court documents. Management at the nightclubs said that he tried to pay in cryptocurrency and was spending about US$400,000 to US$500,000 per night. The prosecution also has a receipt from a Los Angeles nightclub where he spent US$569,528.39 in one night. He also apparently bought a “collection of luxury automobiles”, some costing as much as US$3 million. They included custom Lamborghinis, Ferraris, and Porsches. According to the court documents, he admitted to buying 31 luxury cars, 22 of which had yet to be found as of Sep 24. One of those still missing is the car with “Malone” painted on its side. On Sep 10, Lam flew on a private jet from Los Angeles to Miami to continue his spending spree. He rented multiple homes in Miami, including one on Hibiscus Island and two other luxurious homes near the water. One of those homes had a monthly rent of US$68,000. In Miami, he continued to spend money in nightclubs, as well as on jewelry and cars.” In the bible, Achan is an example.[Jos 7:24-25]

Conversely, the wealth obtained ‘little by little’ is treasured or valued. Most likely, these hard-earned riches from hard and honest labor are managed well. Thus, ultimately, the money is kept, even multiplies with careful stewardship and investment.

In verse 12, Solomon highlights the discouragements and frustrations for not seeing their hope realized. The word "deferred" means “put off, delayed, or suspended”. When a person comes to believe his hope is meaningless, he may become frustrated, even be depressed. Today. many promote salvation by works instead of by grace. They frustrate the hopes of people who believe they will go to heaven by doing good deeds. However, Paul writes "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."[ Ephesians 2:8–9] He sternly rebuked the Galatian believers for believing the false gospel, saying "But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed" (Gal 1:8). "Accursed" means devoted to destruction. There is only one gospel that guarantees genuine hope.[1 Cor 15:1-3]

What does this mean to you and me today? Let’s behave as God’s people with living hope. As Paul said, “For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.”[Rom 15:4]

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