An Idea Borrowed

Years ago on a radio program someone shared that they read a chapter in Proverbs every day. Since there are 31 chapters and the longest month has 31 days it allows you to read through Proverbs on a regular basis. I use it as the launch pad for my personal worship time and branch out from there. On this blog I will try to share some of the insights I have in the Word. I will try to organize them in the archive by reference.

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Deferred Gratification

(Proverbs 11:31 KJV)  Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: much more the wicked and the sinner.

This is a bit confusing.  It sounds, at first, like sinners will receive a better reward than the “righteous” (6662).  I guess much depends on what we mean by “rewarded” (7999a) and when it is received.

I am thinking this is pointing out that the only good that the “wicked” (7563) can expect is in this life.  Jesus talks to this.
(Matthew 6:1-2 KJV)  Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.  Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
We should always take the long range view, after all, we are in for eternity, right?  There are many short term fixes that work short term but destroy long term.  For instance you can tell a lie today that gets you out of a situation but you demonstrate a character that will come back to haunt you.

So?  Live today like it makes a difference tomorrow and beyond.  It does.  Eternity waits.

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