Go ahead and read the entire Proverb at your leisure, but I wanted to talk about this one particular verse.
Verse 3: “The Lord will not let the godly starve to death, but he refuses to satisfy the craving of the wicked.”
I believe this is a wise and timely saying for the times we are facing today. There are many people prophesying doom and gloom in our economy today. The rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer is all what they’re saying, but you see the economy talk is only brought up amongst the so called well to do.
Think about it, even when times were good during the Clinton age, when the economy was on the up and up, and the buzz word on the street was surplus. Even during this positive time in our United States, there were many people, less fortunate that suffered.
This word was for them then, and its for us now!
Now that the word of the day is recession, things are effecting the big pocket characters of our day.
Again this word is for them….
The word says…”The Lord will not let the godly starve to death..”
So if you are a godly person, and living your life to His standards, and trusting Him at His word you are not in a recession.
but…
If you are still trying to do things your own way and not trusting God in all you do. If you are working against God’s standards and contrary to His will, He will refuse to satisfy your cravings.
If you don’t remember anything today, remember what I said in a blog before….”The Lord is your preserver!”
Keep trusting God.
#1 by sprousejp on September 21, 2009 - 1:00 pm
I think we are on the same page. My response could have been worded better. I agree there is nothing wrong with having more than we need or striving to acheive more than we have. Our attitude is key. Your reference to Paul’s contentment (Philippians 4:11-13) is spot on. In whatever circumstance he found himself in, he was content. This is the attitude the righteous need to have.
#2 by Lance Lawshe on September 18, 2009 - 3:34 pm
I agree that God only promises to provide our needs. However I disagree that a person who desires more than their necessities is wicked, and maybe you didn’t mean it that way.
People are wicked when they think they have a right to have more than their necessities. I don’t think there is nothing wrong with having more than what we need, nor do I think bad of someone who desires more.
I think those that have more than they need are considered rich. And that is a lot of people I know.
Definition of Rich: Having more than you need.
How do you measure up? Would you call yourself wicked? I will be like paul, content in all situations. God’s grace is sufficient.
#3 by sprousejp on September 17, 2009 - 11:49 am
This proverbs also may have application to what we desire (cf. Proverbs 13:25). A righteous person will be content with the necessities of life. He will be happy with what God has blessed him with. A wicked person will desire more than necessities. He will want his desires and lusts to be gratified. He will not be content with his lot in life. God never promises to fulfill our desires, He promises to provide for our needs. The two are not the same.
#4 by Kesha on February 9, 2009 - 3:17 pm
Lance,
I found this today searching for a devotional on Proverbs 16:3. How amazing it was that I actually knew the author.
This is truly a blessing. I’m glad you are keeping the blogging up. It is important to share the Word in a way that can speak to people’s situations now. We hope to see you soon! Love to the fam!