Proud men end in shame, but the meek become wise (Proverbs 11:2 TLB). Pride goes before destruction and haughtiness before a fall (Proverbs 16:18 TLB). Pride ends in destruction; humility ends in honor (Proverbs18:12 TLB). Pride ends in a fall, while humility brings honor (Proverbs 29:23 TLB). And how does a man benefit if he gains the whole world and loses his soul in the process? For is anything worth more than his soul (Mark 8:36-37 TLB)?
And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: and he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits (store my crops)? And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow (store) all my fruits (crops) and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God (Luke 12:15-21). For what is a man advantaged (benefited), if he gain the whole world, and lose himself (is destroyed), or be cast away (lost) (Luke 9:25)? For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul (Matthew 16:26)?
Tell those who are rich not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which will soon be gone, but their pride and trust should be in the living God who always richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and should give happily to those in need, always being ready to share with others whatever God has given them. By doing this they will be storing up real treasure for themselves in heaven—it is the only safe investment for eternity! And they will be living a fruitful Christian life down here as well (I Timothy 6:17-19 TLB). For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul (Mark 8:36)?
Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt (ruin), and where thieves break through and steal: but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also (Matthew 6:19-21). Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever (I John 2:15-17 NIV). There is no benefit to gaining the world and losing one’s soul; for there is nothing, not one thing worth more than your soul.
We again give thanks to God for this avenue that he has given us to share his word through this inspirational message. We continually pray that God’s grace will be upon you and that our devotionals will continue to be a blessing to you. If you are blessed by any of them, please share them so that others may be blessed as well. Amen.
Enjoy your blessings - KW
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