I judge a man by the way he handles himself, and you’ve been ridin’ for the brand. I ain’t interested in anything else.”
–Louis L’Amour (“Riding for the Brand”)
“The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep.”
–John 10:13 (NKJV)
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One assignment for you in regards to April Fools Day. The Book of Proverbs, which we are studying each Wednesday, is loaded with the definition and actions of a fool. Take time to read them on this day designed to remember “fools.” Now on to today’s study:
“The labor of the righteous leads to life, the wages of the wicked to sin.” –Proverbs 10:16(NKJV)
The first thing to remember is that there are two paths to travel. The righteous are on the way of life, but the wicked wander from it. There is the way of the Lord, and there is the way of the world. When I look at the above verse the first thing that comes to my mind is Romans 6:23, “But the wages of sin is death,” however, the wages of the righteous bring them life, abundantly in this life and full abundance in eternity. The question that must be answered is, who do you work for? There are two “bosses” in this world. One is the Creator, the Lord, the other the prince of darkness, the enemy of our soul. One represents the kingdom of God, the other the wickedness of the system of this world.
In my experiences I have found that most people are simply hirelings. And the shame of it is that many Christians fall into this category as well. Oh, they are sure enough believers, but they do not recognize that all they do should be unto the Lord, so they work nominally, haphazardly, only wanting a paycheck and what it can get them. They haven’t tapped into the great truth that God is their Lord and their work, no matter what it is, should be done unto Him. The hireling works for a paycheck, benefits, and the weekend. The non-Christian labors for sure for themselves; their minds are lost to the things of God and they do not submit to righteousness. Bob Beasley says, they are “Lured by the glamour and glitter of the ‘good life,’ he receives instead the wages of the ‘bad death.'” As Christians this should not be our attitude nor our actions. “We work in and through Him. Our labours, therefore, is His work–wrought in dependence on Him; not for life, but to life.” (Charles Bridges)
Romans 8:6, is a sobering verse, “For to be carnally minded is death…” (NKJV) It is important that we realize, as J. Vernon McGee states, “God is not going to fellowship with a carnally-minded person.” People crave fellowship, in fact some clamor for it. Isn’t it ironic that many of those who say they desire for fellowship with God and will dance a jig on Sunday will not work for Him in their career, workplace, or studies? Those that want fellowship, do not consider the things that bring true fellowship with the Lord–“the labor of the righteous leads to life,” is being in fellowship with God. Charles Bridges tells us that “Labor, not idleness, is the stamp of a servant of God.”
What about the righteous then? J.L. Flores gives us some thoughts regarding the righteous. First, there can be no true life without righteousness. Secondly, righteousness must show that it exists by honest labor. Thirdly, the honest labor of a righteous man shall bless his existence. I shall ask the question again, Who do you work for?
As you consider that you must then ask the next question, for what do we labor? To be honest there are hard workers among the godless, but they toil for worldly gain, to get ahead in this life. That’s all they have–this life. Spend it now–you can’t take it with you. Be wise in your perspective of those who work, or do not. “The whole subject teaches us not to make poverty and riches the standard by which to measure a man’s blessedness or misfortune.” (Flores) Again we are reminded that, “one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.” (Luke 12:15, NKJV)
Read again the verse from Proverbs then add to it the words of Paul, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23, NKJV)
“The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep.”
–John 10:13 (NKJV)
—————————–
One assignment for you in regards to April Fools Day. The Book of Proverbs, which we are studying each Wednesday, is loaded with the definition and actions of a fool. Take time to read them on this day designed to remember “fools.” Now on to today’s study:
“The labor of the righteous leads to life, the wages of the wicked to sin.” –Proverbs 10:16(NKJV)
The first thing to remember is that there are two paths to travel. The righteous are on the way of life, but the wicked wander from it. There is the way of the Lord, and there is the way of the world. When I look at the above verse the first thing that comes to my mind is Romans 6:23, “But the wages of sin is death,” however, the wages of the righteous bring them life, abundantly in this life and full abundance in eternity. The question that must be answered is, who do you work for? There are two “bosses” in this world. One is the Creator, the Lord, the other the prince of darkness, the enemy of our soul. One represents the kingdom of God, the other the wickedness of the system of this world.
In my experiences I have found that most people are simply hirelings. And the shame of it is that many Christians fall into this category as well. Oh, they are sure enough believers, but they do not recognize that all they do should be unto the Lord, so they work nominally, haphazardly, only wanting a paycheck and what it can get them. They haven’t tapped into the great truth that God is their Lord and their work, no matter what it is, should be done unto Him. The hireling works for a paycheck, benefits, and the weekend. The non-Christian labors for sure for themselves; their minds are lost to the things of God and they do not submit to righteousness. Bob Beasley says, they are “Lured by the glamour and glitter of the ‘good life,’ he receives instead the wages of the ‘bad death.'” As Christians this should not be our attitude nor our actions. “We work in and through Him. Our labours, therefore, is His work–wrought in dependence on Him; not for life, but to life.” (Charles Bridges)
Romans 8:6, is a sobering verse, “For to be carnally minded is death…” (NKJV) It is important that we realize, as J. Vernon McGee states, “God is not going to fellowship with a carnally-minded person.” People crave fellowship, in fact some clamor for it. Isn’t it ironic that many of those who say they desire for fellowship with God and will dance a jig on Sunday will not work for Him in their career, workplace, or studies? Those that want fellowship, do not consider the things that bring true fellowship with the Lord–“the labor of the righteous leads to life,” is being in fellowship with God. Charles Bridges tells us that “Labor, not idleness, is the stamp of a servant of God.”
What about the righteous then? J.L. Flores gives us some thoughts regarding the righteous. First, there can be no true life without righteousness. Secondly, righteousness must show that it exists by honest labor. Thirdly, the honest labor of a righteous man shall bless his existence. I shall ask the question again, Who do you work for?
As you consider that you must then ask the next question, for what do we labor? To be honest there are hard workers among the godless, but they toil for worldly gain, to get ahead in this life. That’s all they have–this life. Spend it now–you can’t take it with you. Be wise in your perspective of those who work, or do not. “The whole subject teaches us not to make poverty and riches the standard by which to measure a man’s blessedness or misfortune.” (Flores) Again we are reminded that, “one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.” (Luke 12:15, NKJV)
Read again the verse from Proverbs then add to it the words of Paul, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23, NKJV)