Everything seeks its own level. Whether it be water, scum, or people.”
–B.N. Rundell (The Trail to Redemption)
“Keep me from the snares they have laid for me, And from the traps of the workers of iniquity.”
–Psalm 141:9 (NKJV)
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“More, more, more — give me more!” the people cry. “I want my fill, I have my rights! Why shouldn’t I be given higher wages? Why shouldn’t the government pay off my loans? Why, why why? More, more, more!” Let’s look closely at Proverbs chapter 1:
(NKJV)
17 — Surely, in vain the net is spread in the sight of any bird;
18 — But they lie in wait for their own blood, they lurk secretly for their own lives.
19 — So are the ways of everyone who is greedy for gain; it takes away the life of its owners.
(ESV)
17 — For vain is a net spread in the sight of any bird,
18 — but these men lie in wait for their own blood; they set an ambush for their own lives.
19 — Such are the ways of everyone who is greedy for unjust gain; it takes away the life of it possessors.
The NIV puts that last phrase of verse 18, “they waylay only themselves!”
Bob Beasley gives us a warning, “Establish this principle early on in life: ‘You can never, ever get away with sin.'” That’s one reason the prisons are full. Don’t be deceived but heed what the Bible says:
“Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.” –Galatians 6:7 (NKJV)
“They sow the wind, And reap the whirlwind…” –Hosea 8:7 (NKJV)
Men set a trap, but do not realize that they will step into their own snares. Man hungers for more, he covets what others have, he lusts to please his own greedy desires. “This greed, when full grown, is coarse and cruel. It has no bowls. It marches right to its mark, treading on everything that lies in the way.” (William Arnot) So is the way of wickedness.
I recall the Prophet Elijah confronting the royal couple because of their greed that led to murder. “And also concerning Jezebel the LORD says: ‘Dogs will devour Jezebel by the wall of Jezreel.’ (There was never a man like Ahab, who sold himself to do evil in the eyes of the LORD, urged on by Jezebel his wife. He behaved in the vilest manner by going after idols…” (1 Kings 21:23,25-26, NIV) Or what about Haman, who built gallows for Mordecai? He was hanged on the gallows he had prepared for Mordecai. (Esther 7:9-10) Remember the old saying, “If you play with matches you’ll burn your fingers.”
It would do us well to examine the path we are on. Don’t just plod along, but take care where you place your foot. One way to stay away from the trap that is set is to stay on the straight path. That path is always upward, heading towards glory. “The way of sin is down hill; men only cannot stop themselves, but, the longer they continue in it, the faster they run and make haste in it, as if they were afraid they should not do mischief enough, and were resolved to lose no time.” (Matthew Henry)
Life is serious, but too many think of it only to fit their needs. More, more, more, or as from “Finding Nemo — ‘Mine, mine, mine!'” Listen, as Warren Wiersbe points out, “You’re free to take what you want from life, but eventually you’ll have to pay for it, and the price you pay is higher than the value you gain. You end up sacrificing the permanent for the immediate, and that’s a bad investment.” Dare a person sacrifice honor and integrity for selfish gain? Shame to say, many have done so, and will continue to do so.
Notice that “these men are plotting with their eyes wide open.” (Samuel Miller) They are laying the trap, and soon they will step in the ways of their own making. (Hmm, is this what will happen to those in high seats of government in our country? Time will tell.) But no matter if they are not caught up in this life there is a righteous God before whom all men and women will one day stand. Yes indeed, to sell one’s soul to gratify fleshly and earthly desires is a bad investment in the light of eternity.
No matter how much morality is diluted; how much wokeism and relative truth is thrown at us–God’s Word still stands true and man will be judged by it. It is not man’s opinions that count, but the eternal Word of God. Man is fussy, flexible, and fickle, but the Bible is a sure foundation–tried, tested, true, and stable. Yes, my friend, “the study of wisdom is a matter of life and death.”
————————————
“More, more, more — give me more!” the people cry. “I want my fill, I have my rights! Why shouldn’t I be given higher wages? Why shouldn’t the government pay off my loans? Why, why why? More, more, more!” Let’s look closely at Proverbs chapter 1:
(NKJV)
17 — Surely, in vain the net is spread in the sight of any bird;
18 — But they lie in wait for their own blood, they lurk secretly for their own lives.
19 — So are the ways of everyone who is greedy for gain; it takes away the life of its owners.
(ESV)
17 — For vain is a net spread in the sight of any bird,
18 — but these men lie in wait for their own blood; they set an ambush for their own lives.
19 — Such are the ways of everyone who is greedy for unjust gain; it takes away the life of it possessors.
The NIV puts that last phrase of verse 18, “they waylay only themselves!”
Bob Beasley gives us a warning, “Establish this principle early on in life: ‘You can never, ever get away with sin.'” That’s one reason the prisons are full. Don’t be deceived but heed what the Bible says:
“Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.” –Galatians 6:7 (NKJV)
“They sow the wind, And reap the whirlwind…” –Hosea 8:7 (NKJV)
Men set a trap, but do not realize that they will step into their own snares. Man hungers for more, he covets what others have, he lusts to please his own greedy desires. “This greed, when full grown, is coarse and cruel. It has no bowls. It marches right to its mark, treading on everything that lies in the way.” (William Arnot) So is the way of wickedness.
I recall the Prophet Elijah confronting the royal couple because of their greed that led to murder. “And also concerning Jezebel the LORD says: ‘Dogs will devour Jezebel by the wall of Jezreel.’ (There was never a man like Ahab, who sold himself to do evil in the eyes of the LORD, urged on by Jezebel his wife. He behaved in the vilest manner by going after idols…” (1 Kings 21:23,25-26, NIV) Or what about Haman, who built gallows for Mordecai? He was hanged on the gallows he had prepared for Mordecai. (Esther 7:9-10) Remember the old saying, “If you play with matches you’ll burn your fingers.”
It would do us well to examine the path we are on. Don’t just plod along, but take care where you place your foot. One way to stay away from the trap that is set is to stay on the straight path. That path is always upward, heading towards glory. “The way of sin is down hill; men only cannot stop themselves, but, the longer they continue in it, the faster they run and make haste in it, as if they were afraid they should not do mischief enough, and were resolved to lose no time.” (Matthew Henry)
Life is serious, but too many think of it only to fit their needs. More, more, more, or as from “Finding Nemo — ‘Mine, mine, mine!'” Listen, as Warren Wiersbe points out, “You’re free to take what you want from life, but eventually you’ll have to pay for it, and the price you pay is higher than the value you gain. You end up sacrificing the permanent for the immediate, and that’s a bad investment.” Dare a person sacrifice honor and integrity for selfish gain? Shame to say, many have done so, and will continue to do so.
Notice that “these men are plotting with their eyes wide open.” (Samuel Miller) They are laying the trap, and soon they will step in the ways of their own making. (Hmm, is this what will happen to those in high seats of government in our country? Time will tell.) But no matter if they are not caught up in this life there is a righteous God before whom all men and women will one day stand. Yes indeed, to sell one’s soul to gratify fleshly and earthly desires is a bad investment in the light of eternity.
No matter how much morality is diluted; how much wokeism and relative truth is thrown at us–God’s Word still stands true and man will be judged by it. It is not man’s opinions that count, but the eternal Word of God. Man is fussy, flexible, and fickle, but the Bible is a sure foundation–tried, tested, true, and stable. Yes, my friend, “the study of wisdom is a matter of life and death.”