The Law in 90 Days: Genesis 39-40
SCRIPTURE READING
Proverbs 22:1; A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favour is better than
silver or gold.
The proverbs talk much about wealth and poverty. Social position, or lack thereof, does nothing
to save a person; greed can be as present in a pauper as a prince; however we are told time
and time again throughout Scripture that wealth does not bring anything of lasting value. As this
proverb puts it, favour and a good name are much more valuable.
This is something that we are taught over and over again from the pulpit, but it has trouble
sinking in through our thick, 21st century, western world skulls. A good name is of little value in
Canada when compared to countries like China and India where family pride runs deep. And
favour, we think, is won by whoever has the best stuff. But God points us in another direction.
Proverbs 19:22 says “What a man desires is unfailing love; better to be poor than a liar.” Here
the nail is hit solidly on the head. Money, possessions and a powerful career are masked as the
greatest end in life, and everything else we do is a means to that end; but this is a ruse. The
end is LOVE, and wealth and power are merely our foiled attempts at the means to that end.
We are built with needs and longings, and until our longings are truly satisfied, we will naturally
try one puzzle piece after another. We will force pieces to fit for a time, until we finally admit that
the fit is just not right and we are ready to try something else.
Our need for love can only be fully met by our Father. No matter how hard we try to fight this
conclusion and cling to our moth-eaten stuff, it is the truth. Let us now loosen our grip and put
our hands where they’re of better use – right in the palm of His.
PRAYER and MEDITATION
1. Allow God to show you what your deepest needs are. How are you attempting to fill these
needs in ways that don’t satisfy? How does God want to fill your needs with His love
today?
2. Spend some time in God’s presence. Pray, and read your Bible, listening for God to speak
to you about who He is and what He wants to do in your life.
