This Proverb says, “Do not be envious of evil men, nor desire to be with them. For their minds devise violence, and their lips talk of trouble.” During our lives here on Earth we generally strive to succeed or to be successful. We strive to be stable financially and accumulate things that will make our lives more comfortable. As we establish ourselves in our careers and homes we realize that gaining possessions and wealth is not easy. However, we come to realize the importance of being financially stable. So, we continue to strive to gain wealth.
As we look around us we realize that there are some people who are very wealthy. They have no financial difficulties, and they have many possessions. It is therefore natural for us to envy others who have more than we have. We may also desire to know them so they in some way may benefit from their riches. We become focused on their wealth rather than on their character.
However, there is a danger in ignoring a person’s character and focusing on their wealth. Not all wealthy people are good people. Some of them are given over to sin and prefer evil to righteousness.
As this Proverb indicates, we should avoid association with bad people just because they are wealthy. If we are not careful, we may compromise our own values and lapse into sin.
The Bible says that we are not to covet the possessions of others. Rather we are to focus on our own lives. We are to be content with what God has provided for us. And we are to live rightly before God. That should be our focus. If that is our focus, then God will provide us what we need. He will even prosper us if that is His will for us. God wants our Trust and Faith in Him. That is the best way to live our lives.
