Proverbs 13: 21-23
“Trouble chases sinners, while blessings reward the righteous. Good people leave an inheritance to their grandchildren but the sinner’s wealth passes to the godly.” Proverbs 13:21-22
Sin is tempting, plain and simple. Living frivolously is sometimes extremely alluring. After all, if sin were not appealing, everyone would be daily pursuers of holiness, rather than chasers of their own comfort. It is especially hard to resist sin when it is accompanied by instant gratification. However, the book of wisdom reminds us yet again that trouble chases sinners, and blessings come to reward righteousness. What we must remember is that these blessing which Proverbs speak of will likely come in a different form than we would imagine, but when they do come, they taste so much sweeter than we could ever hope.
These blessings that come from righteousness become a legacy. A life lived for more than just selfish indulgences is a life lived thinking of others first. This kind of life leaves an example of provision and upstanding character for generations to come. Righteous living has a ripple effect that reaches countless others.
A poor person’s farm may produce much food, but injustice sweeps it all away. Proverbs 13:23
Oppression is not a new concept. There have been ostracized peoples and peoples in a cycle of poverty for centuries, and there are many still stuck in the cycle today. We can be quick to come up with reasons for the lack of “success” or inability to fulfill the American dream, but there are plenty who wake up each day in poverty, work until the point of exhaustion, and go to sleep with little to show for their efforts. It is the job of the Christian to fight for these people. We must recognize faulty, unjust systems and use our voices and our resources to make a change.