True Wealth: Humility and Reverence for God

In Proverbs 22, we find a profound truth: the reward of humility and the fear of the Lord is riches, honor, and life. These are not the fleeting treasures of the world but everlasting ones. Humility, coupled with reverence for God, is the path to true wealth. This reverence is not just a public display but is deeply rooted in our private lives. The Bible highlights two individuals who exemplified this fear of God: Job and another unnamed person. Job, whose story predates even the writings of Moses, is a prime example. The first words God inspired in the Bible were about a man who feared Him and turned away from sin. This is what God values most—a heart that reveres Him and shuns evil.

Job was a man of immense wealth, yet God did not boast about his riches. Instead, God highlighted Job's blamelessness, uprightness, and fear of God. This fear was evident in Job's life choices, such as making a covenant with his eyes not to look lustfully at a woman. Despite lacking the scriptures and teachings we have today, Job's reverence for God guided his actions. He treated those inferior to him with respect, recognizing that they, too, were created by God. Job's life challenges us to examine our own hearts and actions. Do we treat others with the same respect, regardless of their social status? Do we harbor pride in our achievements or wealth? Job's example calls us to a higher standard of humility and reverence for God.

Key Takeaways

• 1. True riches, honor, and life come from humility and reverence for God, not from worldly pursuits. This reverence is deeply personal and is reflected in our private lives, not just in public displays. [00:34]
• 2. Job's life exemplifies the fear of God, as he turned away from sin and lived blamelessly. Despite his wealth, God boasted about his character, not his possessions. This challenges us to prioritize our spiritual integrity over material success. [04:28]
• 3. Job's covenant with his eyes not to look lustfully at women demonstrates the power of reverence for God in overcoming temptation. His example encourages us to cultivate a heart that honors God in all aspects of life. [07:33]
• 4. The way we treat those who are socially or economically inferior to us reveals our true reverence for God. Job's respect for his servants and the less fortunate challenges us to examine our attitudes and actions towards others. [11:37]
• 5. Pride in our achievements or wealth can hinder our relationship with God. Job's humility, even in his success, reminds us to remain humble and recognize that all we have is from God. [13:50]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:18] - The Reward of Humility and Reverence
• [01:08] - The Example of Job
• [02:28] - God's First Words in the Bible
• [03:25] - God's Boast About Job
• [04:28] - Job's True Wealth
• [05:32] - A Personal Ambition
• [06:14] - A Call to Young People
• [07:02] - Job's Covenant with His Eyes
• [08:38] - Reverence Without Scripture
• [09:53] - Awareness of God's Presence
• [11:18] - Treating Others with Respect
• [12:26] - Equality in Creation
• [13:50] - Pride and Wealth
• [15:02] - Confession and Integrity
• [16:18] - A Challenge to Spiritual Growth

1. Proverbs 22:4 - "The reward of humility and the fear of the Lord is riches, honor, and life."
2. Job 1:1 - "There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was blameless and upright, and one who feared God and shunned evil."
3. Job 31:1 - "I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a young woman."

1. According to Proverbs 22:4, what are the rewards of humility and the fear of the Lord? How do these differ from worldly pursuits? [00:34]
2. In Job 1:1, what characteristics are attributed to Job, and why are these significant in the context of the sermon? [02:46]
3. How does Job's covenant with his eyes, as mentioned in Job 31:1, demonstrate his reverence for God? [07:33]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the way Job treated those who were socially or economically inferior to him? [11:37]

1. How does the sermon interpret the concept of "true wealth" in relation to Job's life and character? What does this suggest about the values God prioritizes? [04:28]
2. In what ways does Job's life challenge contemporary views on success and integrity, according to the sermon? [05:32]
3. How does the sermon use Job's example to illustrate the importance of personal integrity and humility in one's relationship with God? [06:14]
4. What does the sermon imply about the connection between humility, reverence for God, and the way we treat others, especially those less fortunate? [12:26]

1. Reflect on your own life: Are there areas where you seek worldly riches, honor, or life instead of the true wealth that comes from humility and reverence for God? How can you shift your focus? [00:34]
2. Job made a covenant with his eyes to avoid lust. Is there a specific temptation you face that you need to make a covenant against? What practical steps can you take to uphold this commitment? [07:33]
3. Consider how you treat people who are socially or economically inferior to you. How can you ensure that your actions reflect a true reverence for God? [11:37]
4. Job's humility was evident even in his success. How can you practice humility in your achievements and recognize that all you have is from God? [13:50]
5. The sermon challenges us to examine our hearts for pride. Can you identify a recent situation where pride may have affected your actions or decisions? How can you address this moving forward? [13:50]
6. Job's life was a testament to his fear of God despite not having the scriptures or teachings we have today. How can you cultivate a similar reverence for God in your daily life? [08:38]
7. Reflect on a time when you may have looked down on someone due to their social status. How can you change your perspective to see them as equal in creation, as Job did? [12:26]