Do you ever look at someone who bends the rules and envy their success? Maybe they don’t strictly adhere to the team training plan and cut short their reps, only to receive more playing time than those who work wholeheartedly. Perhaps, they mishandle the truth and close more sales than their competition. Possibly, they cheat on their taxes and expense accounts, growing their stockpile of cash for discretionary purchases. In his Thirty Sayings of the Wise, Solomon revealed their fate and our freedom as believers: “Do not fret because of evildoers or be envious of the wicked, for the evildoer has no future hope, and the lamp of the wicked will be snuffed out” (Proverbs 24:19-20). Israel’s king said we could be free from worrying about the wicked.
The Apostle Paul taught what goes around comes around: “Do not be deceived; God cannot be mocked. People reap what they sow” (Galatians 6:7). If we bend the rules, we will eventually experience the consequences of doing so. If we honor God with our lives, we will have a future of hope with Him: “Those who sow to please their sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; those who sow to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life” (Galatians 6:8). Consequently, we should live a life of HOPE: Helping Others Prepare for Eternity: “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially those who belong to the family of believers” (Galatians 6:9-10).
Who would benefit from your investment? Write down the name of the coworker, friend, family member, or young person who would profit from the gift of your time, talent, and treasure to advance the Kingdom of God in them. For the next week, pray for that person by name, asking God to use you to serve them in order to meet the unfulfilled need in their life. You will discover God’s desire to answer your prayers, equipping you with wisdom to navigate you through conflict to community, as you listen, learn, and lean on Christ who will set you free from worry about the wicked.
Episode 106: 30 Sayings of the Wise: Future from mitchkrusetv on Vimeo.