The Security Illusion - Day 224 Month 8-11 Week 32-7
Today's Reading (Bible in 1 year)
2 Samuel 22, Proverbs 18:1-12, Ezekiel 24:1-14, 1 Corinthians 4
The Security Illusion
“The name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous runs into it and is safe. A rich man’s wealth is his strong city, and like a high wall in his own imagination” (Proverbs 18:10,11).
These two proverbs do not seem to be connected but the more we look at it, we recognize how they do connect.
Where are you safest? We live in a world where the main goal of many people seems to be to accumulate. Whether it is wealth, or just stuff that you may need some day, the common goal is often simply accumulating.
I have an acquaintance who seems to have everything. He has property and camps in 3 or 4 different locations of Nova Scotia. Camps in Nova Scotia may be as simple as a trailer on the property, to a small cabin to a larger cottage. Nobody seems to have a “cottage” but many people have “camps.” He also has vehicles. He has 3 pickup trucks, a 5 ton truck, a side by side ATV, and he has a minivan. He has his own house and he has another house that he received as an inheritance. He has stuff.
I also get lost occasionally in the desire to accumulate stuff. In my case it’s financial stability. We have a bit of debt but we also have savings. My mind often goes into the mode where I’d like to get a job to help increase the savings to give us peace of mind. Unfortunately, I also realize that when I accumulate more, I’ll need to pursue more because it will provide financial security. Unfortunately, I’ll never get enough to be secure. It’s a vicious circle. I have rarely met a wealthy person who is not pursuing more wealth.
The proverb says “A rich man’s wealth is his strong city, and like a high wall in his own imagination” (Proverbs 18:11). You increase your wealth to build a stronger sense of security.
Just like in biblical times, a city’s security was determined by its walls. The walls created protection. However just like in biblical times, the wall did not determine real protection, it was just perceived. A city could be defeated by blocking off its gates and building a siege ramp allowing the enemy to enter over the walls.
A person's wealth can also be lost in many ways whether through poor financial decisions or simply having poor investments. When the stock market crashes, people can lose a significant amount of their wealth very quickly. It is good to have savings, but you can’t control how much savings will gain or lose and you can’t control what the money will buy from day to day.
God is actually secure. Wealth only feels secure!
“The name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous runs into it and is safe.” The most consistent security you can have is God. He does not change. He is a strong tower. God Himself is our security even when circumstances are not secure. If you rely on God as your provider and protector, you have a security that circumstances and wealth can never provide.
Have a great day!
Steve
You can subscribe to this blog and receive an email each day or week. Just visit the following link. https://follow.it/my-faith-view-from-here-daily-readings-and-thoughts?leanpub
Comments
Post a Comment