“Whoever loves pleasure will become poor; whoever loves wine and olive oil will never be rich.”

I’m not a wine drinker, but I do love olive oil in the right places. I can’t imagine a good Italian meal without it. This is another of Solomon’s ways of expressing the high living of his day: “An easy way to get richer is to stop spending. It is not the high cost of living that hurts people, but the cost of high living! The typical American is addicted to an extravagant lifestyle that keeps him poor and stressed. The pleasure, wine, and oil of Solomon’s day are the entertainment, toys, and eating out of today. Individuals, businesses, and the nation are financially sick and dying due to excessive spending.” (Let God Be True) As a single man who doesn’t cook, I get tired of microwaving canned peas or chicken nuggets. But I’m not really complaining. After spending a week in Honduras at an orphanage, I know I can never complain about my life. By world standards, I’m a wealthy man—and most likely, so are you. God doesn’t require a life of stoicism for most of His followers. However, He does call all of us to a life of giving. Loving pleasure can be an easy trap. Blessing those in need is a powerful way to avoid that trap. Today, be generous. #BeTheEdge

“I know that the Lord secures justice for the poor and upholds the cause of the needy.” Psalms‬ ‭140‬:‭12‬ ‭NIV‬‬