February 28
Psalms 119:71-72 It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes. (72) The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver.
It is easy to figure what is important for people. Jesus tells us, Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also (Luke 12:34). So all we have to do is look at what they would readily invest their hard-earned cash on. Would they invest it on refined food, fancier belongings, valuable jewelry, trendy clothes, loftier car, surplus entertainment? Perhaps they would spend it on the whims of a girl of whom they desire ‘favors’? Or, they invest it on their children’s education, the needs of their of communities, their poor parents, or mission outreach programs.
We tend to associate good life with comfort, ease, and corruptible wealth. But the scorching trials that afflict us and sometimes make us poor may give us a better and incorruptible wealth because they make us learn God’s statutes. When we realize that, we have learned that the learning God’s virtue has more value than personal enrichment, pleasure and comfort.
King David certainly lived that. In his many conquests, he amassed a great wealth. People willingly gave to him out of thankfulness. But most of this wealth was set aside towards the expenses and enrichment of the Temple that his son would someday build as the Jewish religious center (1 Chronicles 28:11-19). Also, because Solomon did not value personal wealth and comfort first, but rather his responsibilities as king, God gave him all the other also (2 Chronicles 1:6-12).
Let us praise and thank God for everything He brings our way and brings us closer to Him. Let us value lessons born of affliction more that the greatest gold and silver treasures the world has to offer.
Philippians 3:7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.
Philippians 1:21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
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