"For their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed blood. 17 For in vain is the net spread in the sight of any bird! 18 But [when these men set a trap for others] they are lying in wait for their own blood; they set an ambush for their own lives. 19 So are the ways of everyone who is greedy of gain; such [greed for plunder] takes away the lives of its possessors." Proverbs 1:16-19 (AMPC)
Listen to what the Kesuvim / The Writings (Mishlei/Proverbs) on pg. 9 say about verses sixteen to nineteen:
Vs. 16 "For their feet run to evil, and they hasten to spill blood. Their paths are self-destructive, but they do not realize it (Rashi). This is why one should avoid not only the deeds of sinners, but also their company (R' Yonah)."
Vs. 17 "For the net seems spread out with free [bait]. The net is a metaphor for Divine justice. A man under the spell of his desires refuses to realize that as soon as he sins, he is ensnared, even if Hashem in His infinite mercy does not punish him immediately (R' Yonah)"
Vs. 19 "Such are the ways of all despoilers; they take the soul of [wealth's] owners. The thief is like the birds. The item he robs is so alluring that he assumes it can be his for "free" and become its owner. But ultimately his crime will take his own life (Rashi). Blinded by the pleasure he will derive from his theft, the robber forgets about Hashem's justice and retribution. Though the generation in Noah's time had committed all sorts of sins, their fate was sealed because of robbery (Sanhedrin 108a; R' Yonah).
Greed takes away the lives of its possessors. That's why God tells you not to covet or lust after the things of this world. He knows that it ultimately takes away your life. On the other hand, obeying His Word brings peace and life and joy.
It's all right to desire to increase financially and materially; it is even God's will for you to be blessed and to continually increase. But an intense desire for material gain at the expense of your walk with God is an entirely different thing.
Greed is just one of the sins that takes away the lives of those who yield to it. Even though you may enjoy some sins of the flesh for a season, sooner or later you will also have to endure the consequences of yielding to temptation – consequences that you won't enjoy.
The devil isn't going to do you any favors. He can't even bless his own people. The more faithfully a person serves Satan, the more of a death hold Satan has on that person. The devil just can't do you any good!
Now, here’s a look at what is happening this week into next with our Radiant groups! NOTE: NO GROUPS THIS WEEK DUE TO THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS!!
- Monday, December 25th – MERRY CHRISTMAS!!
For information on any of our groups, email women@emic.org. Also, if you are ever in need of prayer, please call our prayer line at 877-281-6297. Or, if you need pastoral counseling, call the church office at 817-252-2900 to schedule a time to meet with me.
You are LOVED!
Pastor Cathy
