There are two kinds of wealth in the world. There is the wealth of possessions, and then there is true wealth. True wealth is not based on our possessions or bank account numbers. When the world sees trials and troubles, there is usually a first response to insulate themselves with their possessions or finances. The world views these things as a safety net that allows them to sail through this life. The reality is what we find in Proverbs 10:2. Look at what it says.
The treasures, or the storehouse, money, possessions, of the wicked, the wrong, enemy, the guilty, have no profit, gain, benefit. The very place the wicked look for support, and protection, is the very place that ends up being absolutely useless for them. It does not provide for them, and provides no form of insulation for them. The Bible says it is profitable for nothing. Then the truth is intensified in the next statement.
The righteousness, the state of being right, or called right is what delivers from death. The ones in this stage may not have all of the possessions and wealth of the wicked, but they have something the wicked would, and have, spent untold fortunes, to obtain youth and life. Juan Ponce de Leon mounted an entire exploration looking for the fabled fountain of youth which would give eternal life. Many others spend a fortune looking for ways to find their youth and keep it for eternity. Even the old T.V. show, “The Twilight Zone” has several episodes about either going back in time, preserving youth and finding eternal life. Those who are righteous have this eternal life, and they do not have to spend a fortune to get it! The reason for this is because of where the righteousness comes from.
It is only from God which eternal life can be obtained. God provides this eternal life ONLY to those who humble themselves and come to Him for mercy, forgiveness, and grace. Jesus is the One Who paid for the penalty of sin, and therefore it is ONLY through Jesus Himself. It is in this position, if someone comes to Jesus, and humbles themselves, and accept Jesus as their Savior, they will be brought into a position of righteousness. Then, they are able to come before God and have eternal life. No amount money can buy this. It requires someone who is willing to humble themselves. What is the result of Proverbs 10:2?
Proverbs 10:3. The Lord, the One Who provides righteousness, will not allow the righteous to famish. The famish has the meaning to be hungry or voracious. The word goes deeper and applies to a physical hunger, but also other types of hunger. In this instance, with Proverbs 10:2, the hunger of having protection, eternal life, and assurance of comfort, are forms of hunger. Notice that the Lord will not allow those who come to Him to hunger. He is going to provide for them what they are needing and wanting. This does not mean that life is transformed to a bed of roses, but that through the trials of life, there is a confidence that we have, even through those trials.
This is unlike the wicked. The same Lord who provides and lifts up the righteous, is the same Lord who will also cast away and destroy the desires of the wicked. As such, the desire to have life and insulation from trials and to find life, is cast away. There is no rest, no peace, no comfort. They have none of this even up to the end of their life. An interesting word “desire”. It has the other meaning of substance. Not only is their desire cast away, but so is the only way they have to attempt to afford that eternal life.
So, reader, what are you trusting in? Your wealth and possessions? That has and never will provide the life you are looking for. As the famous saying goes, “You cannot have a U-Haul behind a hearse”. The only thing the temporary resources can do is provide a temporary reprieve. But there comes a day when all will come to the end of their life and they will stand before God and will have to give an answer to God who created all things.
But for those who trust in God, they may not have everything this world has to offer, but they have something this world cannot give. They have righteousness and mercy, and they will find that God will always be with them and will never let them fall. They will come to the end of their life and they will, by the grace of God, have everything, including eternal life.
What then do you trust in?