Profitable Treasure

For Tuesday, May 24, 2005
Proverbs 10:2

Treasures gained by wickedness do not profit,
but righteousness delivers from death.

Crime does not pay. Most likely the treasure will be the downfall of the wicked as they are caught in their crime sooner or later. Perhaps they are not caught; nevertheless, they must hide their deeds and live in guarded fear either from the law or from others wicked. Perhaps they live without fear, confident in their invincibility; even so their names are tarnished, their friends are bought, and their curse lies on their family. Perhaps they die in peace, but what awaits them is an everlasting nightmare. What profit is it to gain the temporary treasures of the world, only to lose the eternal treasure of one's soul?

But righteousness truly delivers from death. By his righteousness, Christ was able to die the death that would bring complete deliverance over sin and death. And because his righteousness has been imputed to us, we are truly delivered from death. What greater motivation do we need to earn our living through righteous means? Do not give in to the temptation to compromise righteousness for the sake of temporary gain.