True Contentment

“Do not envy the oppressor, And choose none of his ways” - Proverbs 3:31

Solomon hits one of the core elements of human attitude as he implies the true source of contentment here. He teaches a theme that he and other Old Testament writers hit in other passages as well: do not envy the good fortune of the oppressor.

The oppressor is one who does not know God and whose unscrupulous ways may have allowed him his prosperity. Even if he is rich and powerful, lives in luxury, basks in the pleasures of life, those who belong to God are not to envy him. And they are not to be fooled by his appearance of happiness and contentment.

How natural it is for Christians to look at sinners and question their good fortune. The wise must come to know that true blessing and true happiness are not found in those ways. They are found only in following the ways of God.

"Thought for the Week" by Joe Norton of Arlington, Texas.