treasure house

In the house of the righteous there is much treasure,

but trouble befalls the income of the wicked.

Proverbs 15:6

In this simple truism the treasure of the righteous is contrasted with the income of the wicked. To seek and follow God’s call to know, love, and obey Him is the real treasure in life. To find sins forgiven in Christ, true life in following as Jesus’ disciple, and all the riches of the fullness of faith in Him is to know a true wealth that lasts forever. It is to know wisdom. It is to receive what is most valuable and be outrageously wealthy in abundant grace.

Contrast that with the “income” this world wants to bribe us to settle for. It is temporary. It is fraught with anxiety, hustle, and fear of loss. It can be taken away by a market drop, a Ponzi scheme, a trade war, an economic downturn, or a war. In an instant trouble befalls it. And then where are those who trusted in worldly wealth alone? When they stand before God, exactly which mutual fund will commend them to their Judge?

It is not wrong to seek to wisely invest what income you can. In fact, it probably should be done by most people. It is however quite wrong to look to wealth for happiness or for your sole purpose in living. Righteousness bestowed on us lavishly in Christ it the real treasure! It enriches us for eternity.