“Ill-gotten treasures have no lasting value, but righteousness delivers from death.” – Proverbs 10:2
Have you ever stolen anything?
No? How about fudged the numbers a little or withheld information?
Not too long ago there was a guy named Bernie Madoff. He pretended to be a brilliant investor, but he was actually running a Ponzi scheme. He made millions while many people lost everything they had. In Bernie’s case, he was caught and is now spending life behind bars. However, some dishonest people are never caught.
Cheater, cheater, pumpkin eater is something we used to say when I was a kid if we thought someone was cheating in a game. This passage reminded me of that…or maybe it’s just that I’ve got pumpkin pie on my mind. What is the problem with ill-gotten gains?
Is it just a question of whether you get caught or not?
The Bible says no. In fact, in the above Proverb, it doesn’t even say deceiving people to get a treasure is wrong (though it is), it says the ill-gotten treasure itself is of no value.
“No value?!” you say, “But Pastor, millions of dollars seem like a lot of value!”
What the proverb is speaking to is the reality that all the treasures of the world are fleeting and will pass away. In the end, money won’t help as you stand before God…
“but righteousness delivers from death.“
So, what is righteousness?
“For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe.” – Romans 3:20-22
Saving righteousness is not about doing the right thing, not cheating, or even following God’s Law, for none of us would ever be justified before God by our works. Our righteousness comes solely through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. It is a righteousness by faith, not by works which delivers from death.
If all we seek in life are the treasures of this world and are willing to do anything to get them, we will reap nothing but death in the end. If, however, we seek Christ and His righteousness by faith, we will overcome death and receive eternal life.
Heavenly Father,
Help me to be honest in all my dealings, to neither steal nor deceive for personal gain. Forgive me for the times I have sought money over honesty. I know that by my own works I could never stand before you. Thank you that I do not have to, that you offer forgiveness and righteousness through faith in your Son. I know that I am righteous in Your sight, not because of what I have done, but what Christ has done.
Amen.
In Christ’s Service,
Pastor Kurt
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