Don't Chase the Ring...

Proverbs 22:1–9

1 A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches,

and favor is better than silver or gold.

PRAYER — HC 94

Gracious God, the moment I give my heart to someone or something apart from you, I'm breaking the first command, and all the others soon topple too. Keep me looking to you alone, loving, fearing, and honoring you with all my heart. Amen.

“Why

do you think Jesus tells us to pray

for daily bread? Why not monthly or

yearly bread?” It was an interesting

question I had not considered. As I

thought, a young woman flanked by

fussy toddlers on her chest and back

replied, “Because if God gave me food

for more than a day, I would not talk

to him.”

Writer Harold V. Melchert reminds us that success is sweeter when you savor the path:

“Live your life each day as you would climb a mountain. An occasional glance toward the summit keeps the goal in mind, but many beautiful scenes are to be observed from each new vantage point. Climb slowly; steadily, enjoying each passing moment; and the view from... See more

"You've had success in life if you have lived decently, laughed frequently, and loved a lot; won the respect of clever men and the love of children; filled out your place and accomplished your tasks.

If you have left the world a better place than you found it, perhaps in the form of an improved strain of poppy, a perfect poem, or a saved soul.

If you... See more

Proverbs 1:11–19

11 If they say, “Come with us, let us lie in wait for blood;

let us ambush the innocent without reason;

12 like Sheol let us swallow them alive,

and whole, like those who go down to the pit;

13 we shall find all precious goods,

we shall fill our houses with plunder;

14 throw in your lot among us;

we will all have one purse”—

15 my son, do... See more

I knew that success solved everything and I spent my 20s chasing it. In my late 20s, I got it. I’ll never forget my 28th year — I made $1M+ in income. My firm had just been ranked 28th on the Inc. 500. I visited the White House as part of a delegation of young entrepreneurs. I was getting invites to meet famous people, join prestigious... See more

There are very few men of genius.

But we need all we can find. Almost without exception, they are disagreeable. Don’t destroy them. They lay golden eggs.

God of severe mercy, like Job, eventually I will lose everything — whatever treasures I have, my family, my health, my life. This bitter reality challenges my core motives: why am I following you? Who am I living this life for? Yet in this I rest: I belong to you, come what may. Amen.