No Peaches on the Palm Tree

(Proverbs 22:4 KJV)  By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life.

The NASB says we can expect a “reward” (6118) for living the right way.  In the KJV it says simply “by humility...”  The word has the meaning of consequences.  An interesting thing happens in English, or maybe just in my mind.  When I think of consequences, I think of a negative result.  When I think of reward, I think of a positive result.  Is it just me? 

Our actions have rewards, good or bad.  What we do with our life has consequences.  How you drive will effect your milage.  It is not the only factor, but it is the one you can control.

Sometimes our actions are actual physical movements.  If you don’t set the alarm you won’t get up in time to get to that job interview.  Sometimes it is decisions.  If you don’t decide to move when the alarm goes off you won’t get up in time to get to that job interview.  Sometimes our action is expressed in an attitude.  If you go into the interview dripping with pride and arrogance, it won’t matter if you set the alarm or got up.

So?  Because we serve an unchangeable God, we can have some confidence in the law of cause and effect.  If life is giving you lemons you may be expected to make lemonade.  You also might be expected to check which tree you are picking your fruit from.  Only you and God know which is the case.