Invest Properly

(Proverbs 5:10 KJV)  Lest strangers be filled with thy wealth; and thy labours be in the house of a stranger;

There are three Hebrew words and three English words that keep being thrown around dealing with people outside your circle.  Two of each are used here, “strangers” (2114a) and “alien” (5237).  If you go back to verse 3 you see the third English word, “adulteress” (2114a).  The third Hebrew word is not used in Proverbs.  The three words have a lot of overlap and seem to be interchangeable in translation.

The point is that there are those who are part of the “family” and those who are not.  While we are to show courtesy and concern for those outside the circle, those on the inside are to be given first consideration.  In this verse we see concern about our present efforts and how we dispose of our wealth when we die.  I have had kids at school ask my if I would cut my children out of my will if they went down the homosexual path.  The short answer is, “Yes.”  The long answer is, “Yes.” 

So?  I am to spend my life building and investing in the kingdom of God.  I am to see that the resources He blesses me with are used wisely and righteously after I am gone.  Obviously there are no guarantees.  Keep in mind that Harvard was started as a Christian school to train pastors.  That does not let us off the hook.