Labor not to be rich; Cease from your own understanding! Will you set your eyes on that which is not? For riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away like an eagle toward heaven. (vs3-5)

Do not labor to be rich. We have more pressing matters than silver and gold, because these cannot save us in the Day of Judgment. We must be right with God, so let us live for eternity and this relationship, cherishing it, kindling the fire of our heart by prayer and devotion. Paul says, “stir up the gift of God”, and, “That good thing which was committed to you, keep by the Holy Spirit” (2 Tim 1). Let us seek character, obedience, and let us walk by faith, rather than pursuing our lusts and turning our backs on Christ.

There is nothing wrong with wealth, and we’ll use it properly, if we’re living for the Son of God, instead of family, friends, or hobbies. He says, “Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy” (1 Tim 6:17). Our hearts belong to the Savior, and this is real faith. Seek first the kingdom, and He will add everything else.

Secondly, do not mistreat others (vs10-11). He says, “Do not remove the ancient landmark, nor enter the fields of the fatherless; for their Redeemer is mighty; He will plead their cause against you”. The gospel of God’s grace has boundaries for us, a determined path, made up by God that we are to walk in. He has told us what is right, that we are to love each other, and He holds sinners accountable. The gospel impacts our personal relationships, and Christ declares that loving others is THEIR right, that we’re to bless those who curse us and do well in the expectation of heaven. I am not to say, “I can oppress the poor”, or, “I can mistreat this person and get away with it”. God is the Judge, and He sees all things. Let us live rightly before the open eye of God our Savior. He has proven that love is the way, and it is love that saved us. Do unto others as He does unto you, speaking the truth, pointing the sinful to Christ, and treating people in a way that honors God. These are His established boundaries, and we give them our submission.

Finally, God reminds us that fearing Him has great reward (vs17-18). He says, “Do not let your heart envy sinners, but be zealous for the fear of the Lord all the day; for surely there is a hereafter, and your hope will not be cut off”. We suffer now, disciplining ourselves and denying the flesh in constant war, but the sinner, has no such struggle. He goes on in his own will, as if he is god, as if there is no Judgment tomorrow. But, the scriptures encourage us along the way, and God promises that our sufferings will pay off in the end. We don’t have to envy the smiles of rebels, nor should we seek the pleasures of sin. It shall be well with us at the end, and the sufferings will shrivel before our reward.