“Anyone trusting in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like foliage.” (Proverbs 11:28)
Where do you find your trust, your satisfaction, your worth? In the riches of your possessions? The riches of your success? The riches of the approval of others? The riches of seemingly satisfying relationships? As Christians, we want to say our trust, our satisfaction, our worth is in Christ alone, but are we living like that?
Do you tell yourself that you would be satisfied if you’d just be able to get your dream job, or get good grades for the semester? Do you tell yourself that you would be happy if you’d just be able to impress your boss, or enter into a relationship with a certain person? If you do, you aren’t alone. In our sinful state, mankind turns to the riches of this world to be satisfied, building our own idols that we want to worship in place of God.
What happens when we go down this path? The proverb tells us trusting these temporary riches will only lead to a fall. The righteous—those who are righteous because of Christ, not because of themselves—on the other hand, will flourish like foliage! Our success, relationships, approval by others, and careers will wither away and fade. They can be taken away in a flash. But the righteousness of Christ, and the faithfulness of our God will stand strong forever. He is unchanging, and we can be wholly satisfied in Him.
Seek joy and pleasure in Christ, so that His beauty, wisdom, and grace outshines the allure of the world’s riches. Seek his righteousness, which leads to flourishing. And find your trust, your satisfaction, your worth in Christ alone!
May we be able to proclaim as was so eloquently written in this beautiful song:
“I rejoice in my redeemer,
Greatest treasure,
Wellspring of my soul.
And I will trust in Him, no other!
My soul is satisfied in Him alone!”