Passage Read: Ezekiel 28-31
Meditation Verses: 28:4-5
Thought
Wisdom and skill resulting in wealth tempts anyone to pride, excessive pride that thinks too highly of himself and too little of the Lord our Maker. Beauty and glory from wealth leads to arrogance and self-aggrandizement. It is a dangerous thing to be so wise, so clever as to make yourself rich, and to spend your riches on treasures for yourself. Because you start to think you really are pretty amazing. You can do whatever you want. Everyone wants to be your friend. Everyone flatters you in hope of gaining your favor. It all so easily goes to your head and inflates the ego. Pretty soon, you fall into the trap of riches and think too highly of yourself, forgetting that you are but dust in the hands of God.
Application
Better to remain poor and need the Lord constantly. Better to live on little and give excess wealth to those in need. Better to continually remember that apart from Christ, I am doomed to eternal destruction for my wickedness. Better to do anything and everything to help me remain humble and have a right view of myself and the Lord. He alone is God, and if He should bless some of my choices and decisions and reward me financially, it is more likely to test and see if I will share with others or keep it to myself. Nothing in this life is worth collecting, except souls for Christ. Nothing else in this age lasts or is ever truly mine. My goal must always be to do all I can to attain eternity with Christ and store up treasure with Him.