No Ill Gotten Gains

(Proverbs 13:11 KJV)  Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase.

As I said earlier, “wealth” (1952) is a broader concept than finance.  One of the great measures in Proverbs is wisdom.  Some people have wisdom, some don’t.  For some wisdom is easier to obtain than it is for others.  We are still to grow in wisdom.  Even Jesus went through the process somehow,

(Luke 2:52 KJV)  And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.

What this is telling us is that there are no shortcuts to wisdom.  This is where the “labor” (3027)  comes in.  We are saved by grace through faith.  Got it.  We grow and mature through a process of discipline and struggle.  Don’t want it. 

You can’t fake spiritual wealth.  You can’t buy it on credit.  Counterfeit bills won’t be accepted.  In short, there is no short cut.

So?  Wisdom is required.  The riches of heaven are offered.  Don’t be unemployed in this labor market of love and grace.