“Labor not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom.” Proverbs 23:4 (KJV)
“Do not toil to gain wealth; have the sense to desist.” Proverbs 23:4 (Jewish Publications Society of America)
This part of the Bible seams to be seldom read and often shunned in the materialistic world we live in today. If we can unlock what is being said here, we can understand why today’s world system is coming unraveled all around us.
Does the Lord wish to keep us poor? That’s not what this is saying. Actually what it appears to be emphasizing is it’s OK to be rich, as long as that wasn’t your goal. Which fly’s in the face of all modern day western world Gurus. How can you hit a target you don’t aim at? The answer it would appear King Solomon is implying here is, you aim at a more rewarding – more full-filling target.
We have all heard of the story of the Rock Star, Movie Star, business tycoon who after they got to the top of the heap. Self destructed from the compromises they forced themselves to make or were forced to make during the climb up. Which found them rich / wealthy but inwardly morally, ethically, spiritually destitute.
“In great matters men show themselves as they wish to be seen; in small matters, as they are.” – Gamaliel Bradford
This is what the “cease from thine own wisdom” means.
If you set your target to be rich / wealthy than you run the danger of wealth being
