wither

A gracious woman gets honor, but she who hates virtue is covered with shame. The timid become destitute, but the aggressive gain riches. Those who are kind reward themselves, but the cruel do themselves harm. The wicked earn no real gain, but those who sow righteousness get a true reward. Whoever is steadfast in righteousness will live, but whoever pursues evil will die. Crooked minds are an abomination to the LORD, but those of blameless ways are his delight. Be assured, the wicked will not go unpunished, but those who are righteous will escape. Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout is a beautiful woman without good sense. The desire of the righteous ends only in good; the expectation of the wicked in wrath. Some give freely, yet grow all the richer; others withhold what is due, and only suffer want. A generous person will be enriched, and one who gives water will get water. The people curse those who hold back grain, but a blessing is on the head of those who sell it. Whoever diligently seeks good seeks favor, but evil comes to the one who searches for it. Those who trust in their riches will wither, but the righteous will flourish like green leaves. Those who trouble their households will inherit wind, and the fool will be servant to the wise. The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, but violence takes lives away. (Proverbs 11:16-30, NRSV)

The proverbs are rich with telling us what to do and what not to, but in a way that makes sense to most of us…

For instance if you are kind you will actually reward yourself instead of the one you are kind to, but if you are cruel, you are only harming yourself.

It is wisdom for the day…

The line that struck me here is “Those who trust in their riches will wither, but the righteous will flourish like green leaves.” And then the picture, a well watered thriving leaf…

Where do you place your trust? Is it in hoarding your resources and building wealth? Is it by cheating others out of what you owe, or what you need to do?

Because when we freely give, our cup will be refilled to overflowing, but if there isn’t any room there, there will not be a blessing given!

We can not trust in our own riches, or ourselves. We must trust in the Lord our God, who will provide for our every need. He will make our lives flourish like green leaves, if we but trust in Him!