“The wage of the righteous leads to life, the gain of the wicked to sin.” Proverbs 10:16
When we look at word wage as being the fitting payment for an action or service, we begin to see how this wisdom plays out in our lives. Solomon says the wage of the righteous, but then he refers to the simple “gain” (or fruit, earnings, income… in other translations) of the wicked. God provides us a wage, on purpose, so that we can use it to bring life to our families and to others. Working as a server a John Elway’s Steakhouse, I take home my money at the end of the night and support the life of my family with it. However, many of the others servers take that money and go get drunk, or high, and do lewd things with it. I hear stories of them getting “their reward” and it saddens me. Especially when the life and responsibility of family are neglected because of it.
Lord, Bless the work of my hands this morning, let me use the wages of my labor to bring joy and life, today, to my family, …and then bless the rest and enjoyment of this life You’ve given, this afternoon and this evening. Lord, grant me the peace to enjoy them today, in Jesus’ Name, amen.