19/04/2022 - WRONG WAY TO GET RICH

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And Ephraim said, ‘Surely I have become rich, I have found wealth for myself; In all my labors they shall find in me no iniquity that is sin.’  Hosea 12:8

Ephraim boasted that it had become rich, acquiring goods. But what good did that do, if shortly thereafter – it was invaded by Shalmaneser, king of Assyria, taken and scattered in the most diverse lands of that ungodly kingdom, never to be a country again? The Bible says: Before destruction the heart of a man is haughty and before honor is humility. (Proverbs 18:12). Rebellion against the Lord’s guidance was never good, but fear is!

Because of taxes it didn’t need, the Northern Kingdom oppressed the surrounding nations as well as its fellow citizens. However, when he was weighed in the true balance, he saw that his demeanor was wrong. However, he justified himself by saying that they became rich, as if that was the reason they divided David’s house. It is not good to leave God’s work aside and set off to amass riches. If that were the plan, the Lord would have filled us with them.

Many saints compare what they have with what their relatives have obtained in the world. In fact, it has never been the concern of these saved ones what God planned for His Church, in terms of opening their eyes. Such a procedure is shameful! For the most part, such people have let the wide-door offers rule their hearts. Why give in to the things of the world when we have been commissioned to fulfill the calling of the Most High in His harvest? Meditate on the Word!

The gold that Ephraim gathered was given to the Assyrians. Then, the dream of being the most prosperous country in that region became a mixture of thorns and bush. It´s land that was envied by all was no longer any good. Those who stayed there lived in extreme poverty. Soon, the Assyrian king sent other people, who did not know the Lord, to enjoy that territory, but it never again produced as in the past.

Ephraim was wise in his own eyes, but it brought him no benefit. About this kind of people, the prophet Isaiah declared: Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and prudent in their own sight! (Isaiah 5:21). We must bow down to true wisdom and obey the Lord’s teachings. Then we will live in His presence. Whoever thinks that success and material possessions will help them in the Judgment is greatly mistaken. On that Day, there will be no mercy!

Still talking about the Final Judgment, let’s see what James wrote: For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment (James 2:13). Let us be merciful, for this virtue will triumph over the Judgment. The apostle Paul stated: For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17).  Ephraim made a big mistake!

Ephraim’s vanity made them rich, acquire possessions, and ensure that nothing bad would be found in what they did. However, this did not happen. Thus says the Lord: Like a flitting sparrow, like a flying swallow, So a curse without cause shall not alight (Proverbs 26:2).

In Christ, with love,

R. R. Soares