Wages & Earnings

“The wealth of the rich is their fortified city, but poverty is the ruin of the poor.  The wages of the righteous are life, but the earnings of the wicked are sin and death.”

I love this passage because it speaks of the “earnings” of the wicked being sin and death.  I get so frustrated with those who accuse God of “sending” people to hell.  “Why would a loving God do that?” they ask.  God doesn’t do it.  Those who choose to ignore the wealth found in living for God “earn” their eternal destination – because they’ve worked on their own for it.

I love this passage also, because it talks about the wealth and wages of the rich and the righteous being like a strong protected city – one where life takes place.  And the interesting thing about this city is that the wealth and riches are not “earned” but rather paid (wages) by the lifegiver – Jesus.  Jesus paid the sacrifice (the wages) by his death on the cross so that we can ENJOY the wealth of his kingdom.

Jesus offers fortification (security) and life.  We can receive it as a free gift, or we can work hard on our own apart from him – and earn our just reward.