Read
11Money wrongly gained
will disappear bit by bit;
money earned little by little
will grow and grow.
12Not getting what you want
can break your heart,
but a wish that comes true
is a life-giving tree.
13If you reject God's teaching,
you will pay the price;
if you obey his commands,
you will be rewarded.
14Sensible instruction
is a life-giving fountain
that helps you escape
all deadly traps.
15Sound judgment is praised,
but people without good sense
are on the way to disaster.
Reflect
One of life’s greatest pleasures is to enjoy the thrill of having our dreams come true. Achieving satisfaction fuels a fire in us and empowers us to pursue even grander possibilities. But be aware of the pitfalls of chasing after quick get-rich schemes.
Fulfilled hopes and dreams are not just for the privileged few. Each one of us has the power to make choices that result in either:
1. LIFE: Enjoying the “life giving fountain” (v 14). A fountain is a beautiful visual aid for continuous life-giving water that flows and refreshes. Hard and honest work, and obeying the counsel of God and wise people, will set into motion further opportunities for gratifying achievements and more good.
Or:
2. DEATH: The “snare of death: (v 14). A snare conjures up an experience of being trapped to the point where we will feel hopeless and choked. This happens when we despise and disregard the instruction of godly wisdom. Get rich quick schemes fall into this category. We are to be wise with our pursuit to attain our wealth and how we spend it. Sadly statistics show that one-third of people who have won the lottery become bankrupt within five years.
Every decision we make to obey God’s instructions will bring a greater sense of joy and fulfillment in our lives. The choice is ours. Hard and honest work that grows; or the quick and easy gain that ends in pain.
Respond
Dear Father God
Thank you God that you are the source of all wisdom. I ask that you pour wisdom into my life so that I can be empowered to make good life-giving choices. Make me willing to obey you and to accept your wise counsel. Thank you that you never give up on me. Amen.
Heidi McLaughlin
For over two decades Heidi has helped people find fulfillment in life through embracing God’s truth. She does this through writing and teaching the Bible, mentoring and speaking at Conferences and Retreats all across North America. Heidi has been twice widowed and has a family of 5 children and 12 grandchildren. When she is not writing or speaking she loves to golf, laugh or share a cup of coffee with her family and friends. Publications: Sand To Pearls: Making Bold Choices to Enrich your Life; Beauty Unleashed: Transforming a Woman’s Soul; Restless for More: Finding Fulfillment in Unexpected Places; Looking Back and Enjoying The View; Your Home, An Entry Into a Woman’s Heart Anthologies: Second Cup of Hot Apple Cider; A Taste of Hot Apple Cider, Apple Cider and Cinnamon, Chicken Soup for the Soul: "O Canada"; Sunshine Kisses for Grandmas, , The Joy of Less
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