Of What Profit Is It All?

Proverbs 11:4 Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, But righteousness delivers from death.

Stop for a moment and imagine this...we are on our deathbed, and we are about to go on to the other side of eternity; of what profit is all that we possess, materially, at this very moment? What can we use to buy one more minute of life? Considering the fact that we cannot take anything we have with us, because we came into the world with nothing and are going out in the same manner (1 Timothy 6:7); what will we be able to use to buy favor or forgiveness when we are finally standing before the Judge? What profit is it if we live this life for ourselves, and gain as much wealth as possible, when in the day of wrath it will all be worthless? In all that the Lord has allowed us to gain, how much of it have we honestly used for the furtherance of the Gospel, and the Kingdom? How much of our earthly riches have we used to gain heavenly riches? The Word of God tells us that godliness with contentment is great gain (1Timothy 6:6). Today's verse is a great reminder that a life lived in righteousness is far more valuable, in the end, than a life lived with the goal of gaining the riches of this world. However, let me remind all of us that the righteousness that will profit most, on the day of wrath, on the day we close our eyes in death, is not our own righteousness. The Bible is very clear that all our works of righteousness are like filthy rags to God (Isaiah 64:6). So whose righteousness will count on the day of judgment? Whose righteousness will help us escape the wrath to come? Simply put...Jesus' righteousness. How do we gain that righteousness? We gain it by calling upon Jesus as our Savior and Lord, and living a life of faith. It is His righteousness imputed on us that will be of any worth on the day of wrath. Brothers and sisters, let us not waste another moment chasing the things of this world. Instead, let us do all we can to trade our earthly riches for heavenly riches, and strive to live a life of faith, in Christ, that is pleasing to our Heavenly Father.

Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Rom 7:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive His free gift of salvation today (Rom 10:13).