Cosmetics or Character

(Proverbs 28:11 KJV)  The rich man is wise in his own conceit; but the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out.

Americans are in love with success.  I say “Americans” because that is whom I rub elbows with every day.  My suspicion is that the rest of the world is the same way.  I don’t know if it is still on the air but there used to be a program called “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous.”  Millions of people watched it.  Many of those were Christians.  I never could figure out why it connected with people.  Personally I would rather have a box of crackers than a catalogue of haute cuisine that I could never afford.  I never made it a habit of stopping in at a restaurant just so I could smell the sauce.

We need to understand that the spiritual qualities God wants us to have are not tied to our income or power.  Wisdom cannot be bought.  Integrity cannot be ordered on-line.  Righteousness cannot be produced by trips to the gym. 

So?  God will meet you where you are.  He might want to take you somewhere else and make you something you can never be on your own but don’t expect that to include a stylish address or a fat bank account.  It is possible that you could not handle it.