23Mar16

Proverbs 22:16-17
A person who gets ahead by oppressing the poor or by showering gifts on the rich will end in poverty. Listen to the words of the wise; apply your heart to my instruction.

When I was younger I always thought that certain things were totally "unfair." In fact you could hear me a mile away yelling, "But, that's not FAAAAAIR!" I felt oppressed and pushed down by the rules an requirements of my parents and teachers and so many other people in authority over me. I'm not saying that what they did and enforced was right all the time, by any means, and you may find yourself in an unjust situation where you are the "poor" being taken advantage of so someone can look good to the "rich." But, what I realized very quickly as I grew up is that I have the tendency and capacity to do the EXACT SAME THING.

We all want approval. We all want to succeed and look good. Sometimes the way we do that is by making other people look bad or by taking advantage of the power we have over them. But, ultimately one who succeeds in this way comes to ruin. They are building a false face to a house that is molding on the inside. Once we realize that we are no better than those who are "beneath" us then we are able to succeed together. Then we are able to build a strong house that has a foundation in which all are invested in. Look around you. Are you doing this for them or yourself? Are you willing to push anyone around you down to get just a little further up? Are you working as part of the team or do you see the team working for you?

The way to success is in the second part of the verse. Listen to wise counsel and seek instruction. Be humble enough to know you don't have all the answers on your own. Don't judge those who you may see as doing what you have the capacity to do yourself. Make sure you are building yourself up in righteousness and in the truth with your whole heart instead of just complaining about a bad situation. Check yourself in every small decision you are making and in the ways you are interacting. Form the team you want to be a part of where you are at today.