“Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: (24) But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.”
A good example of a man who gloried in his wisdom, riches, and might, is King Nebuchadnezzar. (We find his story in Daniel Chapters 3 and 4.) In Daniel 4:30, “The king spake, and said, Is not this great Babylon (riches), that I have built (wisdom) for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power (authority, strength), and for the honour of my majesty?” A man clothed with these three attributes: wisdom, power, and riches, tends to become prideful and have no desire to understand and to know God.
For another example of such a man, I am reminded of the rich fool in Luke 12:16-21. This poor soul did not know God nor had he an understanding of the Almighty. This is evident by Luke 12:21.
In order to understand and know someone, there first has to be the establishment of a relationship. One cannot understand and know their husband, wife, children, or anyone else; unless there is quality time spent building a relationship. We cannot know and understand God unless we spend quality time with Him. If we would delight ourselves in God, then He will be delighted in us; thereby giving us the desires of our heart. It is the duty of the child of God to delight himself in knowing and understanding God. We cannot say that we love God, if we never spend quality time getting to know Him.
We should never glory in wisdom, but instead glory in the One who gives us wisdom. The wisdom of the world is foolishness with God, and the thoughts of the wise are vain (1 Corinthians 3:18-20).
We should not glory in our own might, whether it is physical strength or authoritative power; but we should glory in the One who gives us such. “For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things…” (1Timothy 4:8). We should exercise ourselves into godliness. “…For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God” (Romans 13:1).
Lastly, we should not glory in riches, but glory in the One who gives us the strength to obtain these riches. It is God “that giveth thee power to get wealth” (Deuteronomy 8:18). Unlike the rich fool who was not rich toward God in knowing and understanding Him, King Nebuchadnezzar was given that opportunity. (Read Daniel 4:37 and contrast with Luke 12:20-21.)
It would seem obvious that God is behind all that we have. God gave us our mind, our might and our riches. Would it not be safe to say that the wisest thing to do is to know and understand Him? What are you glorying in?
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