Reward

 Proverbs 22:4 ESV 

The reward for humility and fear of the Lord is riches and honour and life. 
 

This is a surprising verse. We might assume that worldly people who idolise Mammon gain riches and honour and life in this world. Solomon suggests otherwise.

Solomon, certainly early in his reign, was a humble man. God blessed him with riches and honour and life. He initially, and I believe in the end, feared the Lord, at the dedication of the temple and in his repentant swansong of Ecclesiastes.

The Bible teaches the opposite of the world. The world celebrates pride. The Bible says that pride goes before a fall.

If we are humble and fear the Lord, not only do we tend to have good lives in this world. We also gain eternity where the streets are paved with God. Even if we muddle through this life, there's a glorious destiny for those of us who belong to Jesus.

'Dear Lord God, may we be humble and fear you as we ought. Please bless us as we do so. For your honour we ask this, amen'.

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