An Empty Chase: The Wisdom of Proverbs 23:4-5

“Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom. Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? For riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven,” says Proverbs 23:4-5. These words echo relevant truth, urging us to reconsider the nature of our desires and the wisdom we trust to guide them.

How often does our joy, contentment, or peace crumble under the weight of an unfulfilled expectation? We pin our hopes on what we believe we know—on things that seem true, reliable, and within reach. Yet, when reality reveals that what we sought was a mirage, we are left disillusioned, disappointed, and often depressed.

Our expectations fail not because of the effort we put in, but because they are built on what the Preacher calls "that which is not." This phrase has an important meaning: it refers to the fleeting, the insubstantial, the illusory. Like Job, who lamented, “My days are swifter than a weaver’s shuttle, and are spent without hope” (Job 7:6), we realize that the hopes founded on “that which is not” are as ephemeral as a breath.

When our aspirations rest on the satisfaction of our lower desires—what 1 Peter 4:3 describes as “lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revelings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries”—we are bound to face disappointment. These desires, fueled by our own wisdom, promise us fulfillment but deliver emptiness. The sorrow that follows a failed expectation is not just about the loss of what we sought; it’s a reflection of our inability to let go of the very thing that led to our disappointment.

Consider the young man in Mark 19:22 who, after hearing convicting words, “went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.” His sorrow wasn’t just about losing wealth; it was about the collapse of the worldview he had built around it. Like him, when our hopes are rooted in material gain or superficial success, we set ourselves up for sorrow. The issue isn’t merely the failed expectation; it’s the behavior and mindset that arise when we can’t let go of what prevents us from receiving true fulfillment.

The Bible’s call to refrain from our own wisdom and to cease laboring for riches is not just about rejecting materialism. It’s about embracing a higher way of living—one that values what truly matters. If the things we chase after lead to sorrow when they don’t materialize, then those things are not what truly matters. They are “that which is not”—temporary fixes for a deeper void that cannot be filled by worldly gains.

True fulfillment comes not from clinging to what we desire but from letting go, from giving selflessly, as Luke 6:38 teaches, and from trusting that the return will come in due time. The real wisdom lies in understanding that what matters most ignites a fire within us, urging us to press on with patience and reflection, rather than despair. The fleeting nature of “that which is not” distorts our character, leaving us empty, while pursuing “what is” transforms us, grounding us in reality and truth.

Instead of obsessing over what should be or what we think we deserve, we should focus on understanding our true needs. Proverbs 11:9 reminds us that “through knowledge shall the just be delivered.” Knowledge, not fantasy, leads to liberation. When we put off the “old man” (the old mind) of deceitful and sabotaging thoughts, feelings, and desires, as Ephesians 4:22-23 advises, and renew our minds, we open ourselves to genuine transformation.

Life often teaches us that what we think we know is a deceiving assumption. Our hearts, naturally inclined toward “that which is not,” resist the idea that we might not know what’s best for us. Yet, in trusting the intelligence within life, which stems from the living God—the invisible wisdom embedded in life’s very fabric—we find that even our disappointments can be transformed into blessings.

The challenge, then, is clear: monitor your thoughts, feelings, and actions. Discipline your imagination, which so often leads one astray, and bring all findings to the living God in prayer. Let go of what you think you know, and be willing to learn who you truly are and who you are meant to be. In this process of letting go and learning, we fulfill the call of Isaiah 1:17: “Learn to do well.”

Ultimately, the wisdom of Proverbs 23:4-5 is not just a warning against the pursuit of riches; it’s an invitation to pursue a life rooted in true understanding—a life where our desires align with what truly matters, and where our wisdom, coupled together with the Bible’s words, is shaped by life’s guiding cues, rather than our fleeting passions.

Finding Strength in Humility: Understanding Acts 8:33

“In his humiliation, his judgment was taken away.” These words from Acts 8:33 reveal a powerful yet often overlooked truth about the nature of humility and personal judgment. In a world where asserting oneself is seen as a form of strength, it may seem counterintuitive to embrace humility, especially when facing criticism, conflict, or injustice. Yet, the wisdom of the living God invites us to see things differently.

The idea that humility can impact our judgment may seem strange, but it’s rooted in a deeper understanding of spiritual growth. In our human experience, guilt, anxiety, frustration, and anger often cloud our judgment. However, when we approach these challenges with a humble and quiet mind, something remarkable happens—our inner self is transformed.

The personal judgment we receive from life isn’t merely about external circumstances; it’s a mental and spiritual process. Our faithfulness to the Bible’s guidance, especially under pressure, is what truly defines our experience of alleviation and peace. By humbling our hearts and minds, we open ourselves to the comfort that comes from aligning with its wisdom, transcending the turmoil of our external trials.

The phrase, “In his humiliation, his judgment was taken away,” from Acts 8:33, speaks of the living God’s chief messenger who was wrongfully accused of treason. As Isaiah 53:12 tells us, “He was numbered with the transgressors.” But was he truly a transgressor? In the eyes of the religious leaders, yes. But his “transgression” lay in upholding the spiritual truth of the Bible’s mind over the legalistic traditions of men.

This man’s ministry emphasized the inner transformation that comes from embracing scripture’s commandments within the heart and mind. He taught that true righteousness isn’t found in external rituals but in the renewal of our inner conversation—our thoughts, motives, and intentions. This is why it says, “Except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:20).

This commitment to inner right-ness (righteousness), rather than outward conformity, made this man a target for those who valued tradition over acquired wisdom. His doctrine of liberation from the philosophy of the religious law for the sake of devotional renewal was seen as rebellious, a direct challenge to the authority of the priesthood.

His journey wasn’t easy. He faced intense opposition from those who clung to their religious laws and traditions. Yet, in his humility, he refused to retaliate. “When he was reviled, he reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously” (1 Peter 2:23). This submission to the living God’s will, even in the face of injustice, is the ultimate demonstration of spiritual maturity.

The wisdom of this world often contradicts the Bible’s wisdom. Where the world sees strength in self-assertion, the living God sees strength in humility. Where the world values external appearances, the living God values the condition of the heart. “The wisdom of this world is foolishness with God” (1 Corinthians 3:19). By humbling ourselves, we align with higher wisdom and allow the living God’s judgment, not man’s, to guide our lives.

Peter’s counsel to “live according to God in the spirit” (1 Peter 4:6) is a call to elevate our conversation—the way we think, speak, feel, and act—beyond the superficial. Our lives are not defined by the opinions of others but by our relationship with our recovering mind. The true measure of our character is found in how we manage our inner estate, especially when faced with external pressures.

The example of the living God’s chief minister teaches us that even when judged by human standards, our responsibility is to maintain a good conscience before the living God. No one has the right to strip us of the confidence that the scriptures have placed in our mind. The secret to enduring life’s challenges lies in humility—in refraining from reacting impulsively and instead committing ourselves to higher wisdom.

“In his humiliation, his judgment was taken away.” These words challenge us to reconsider how we view strength and weakness. In a world that glorifies self-assertion, the path of humility may seem counterproductive. Yet, it is through humility that we find true strength and freedom. By submitting to the Bible’s philosophical will and embracing its wisdom, we free ourselves from the burdens of self-righteousness and open our hearts to the peace that surpasses all understanding.

In our journey, let us remember that the ultimate victory isn’t found in winning arguments or proving others wrong, but in aligning ourselves with our devotional purpose. As we humble our hearts, may we find the courage to live according to the mind at the heart of the Bible, trusting that its judgment, not the world’s, will lead us to true peace.

How Belief's Wellbeing Directly Impacts Mental and Devotional Health

How vital is your faith's wellbeing to you? Imagine if the health of your faith directly influenced the wellbeing of your entire being. Would that revelation change how you nurture your spirituality?

This question isn't just rhetorical; it's a cornerstone of understanding the profound connection between our belief’s inner dialogue and our overall mental health. The way we manage our faith's thoughts and emotions isn't just a spiritual matter—it's a matter of equilibrium and wellbeing. As Proverbs 14:30 says, "A sound heart is the life of the flesh." What is this verse supposed to actually mean?

The "flesh" in this context isn't the physical body; it's a metaphor for the essence of the body of belief. The Bible distinguishes between our physical form and this deeper "flesh," as seen in Job 19:26: "And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God." This verse unveils a mystery—how can the body decay, yet the flesh remains, capable of perceiving the living God?

To unravel this parable, consider what is truly preserved by "God"; as 1 Corinthians 5:5 states, "That the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord," and John 3:6 affirms, "That which is born of the Spirit is spirit." Traditional religious interpretations often miss the Bible's deeper philosophical narrative. What sees "God" is the spirit or character within the mind—an intangible essence far beyond the physical.

A sound heart nourishes this flesh, which is this spiritual body within us, as 1 Corinthians 15:44 suggests: "There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body." The Bible's philosophy centers on the growth and the development of our devotional conscience—the mind of our faith. When we feed this body, its soundness extends to our human heart, impacting our entire being. But this soundness can't sustain itself; it requires deliberate care and discipline.

The Bible's philosophy is deeply concerned with our human condition. Ephesians 4:23 advises, "Be renewed in the spirit of your mind." This renewal is a directive for holistic devotional health. How can one commit themselves to this kind of care? The answer lies in Ephesians 4:22: "Put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt."

The corruption isn't in you or me as individuals—it's within the devotional conversation, the internal dialogue that shapes our faith and, consequently, our lives. The Bible urges us to reform how we engage with this internal dialogue. Psalm 50:23 encapsulates this: "To him that ordereth his conversation aright will I shew the salvation of God."

Our belief’s wellbeing directly influences our personal or human state of being. When the body of your spiritual understanding is nurtured, the wisdom it gains will resonate within your heart, creating a ripple effect that enhances your entire being. By caring for your faith's condition, you're actually investing in your overall wellbeing.