Thought 273
Wages
The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth righteousness
shall be a sure reward.
As righteousness tendeth to life: so he that pursueth evil pursueth it to
his own death.
They that are of a froward heart are abomination to the Lord: but such as are upright in their way are his delight.
Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: but the
seed of the righteous shall be delivered.
Proverbs
11:18-21 KJV
What are your wages? A wicked man gets his
wages; that is, his reputation, his life, his status, his “wealth,” his
stuff—anything he wants!—through deception. . . . but the righteous, they reap
a sure, long-lasting, permanent, guaranteed reward!
Only the truly righteous attains life, but
he who pursues evil goes to his death. What are you pursuing? Is it life: the
righteous and blameless life with Jesus . . . or are you pursuing evil things:
yourself (pride), money (mammon), health (self-preservation), or fun (personal
happiness and peace)?
The Lord detests—detests!—men of a
perverse heart, but He delights in
the righteous heart. David was a man “after God’s own heart.” He was a man of a
righteous heart.
The last verse of are text reveals the
sobering truth: God will punish the wicked one day, but the righteous He will
bless. Friend, where are you? What is your spiritual condition? Are you
righteous and heading toward Heaven and its rewards or are you wicked and
heading toward Hell?
“Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the
way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way,
which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”
–Matthew 7:13-14 KJV
