Job 22:1-2 KJV
Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered and said, Can a man be profitable unto God, as he that is wise may be profitable unto himself?
I’m not a fan of Eliphaz the Temanite, after all, when our man Job was down as low as he could get, Eliphaz was one of the three not so encouraging friends who came to tell Job to get his heart right and his life would get better. Who needs a friend like that? But how many of us don’t have one. I’ll not name names. They likely don’t read my blog anyway, because I’m sure my grammar is just ghastly and upsets their psyche. But as for Eliphaz, he did have a great question. One he likely should have looked in the mirror and asked, “Am I profitable to God.”
First of all, what would God look upon as profit, He who owns the universe?
Samuel told the people of God in 1 Samuel 12:20-21
And Samuel said unto the people, Fear not: ye have done all this wickedness: yet turn not aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart; And turn ye not aside: for then should ye go after vain things, which cannot profit nor deliver; for they are vain.
That’s a good word for all of us! It is so easy to turn away from God to something that catches our eye and looks “profitable” but ends up being little more than a distraction, if not a great waster of time and money. Oh good grief, am I preaching to myself alone? It’s true. I need that “one more thing” from Amazon to make my life complete but then after that is “one more thing.” And before long I have no profit to give to God, only debt. So back to my 2nd question, What does God look upon as profit?
Wisdom is Profitable
Ecclesiastes 7:11 KJV
Wisdom is good with an inheritance: and by it there is profit to them that see the sun.
For me the definition of wisdom, in the “dictionary of Shari” is “intelligence wrought with insight.” Deep right? Maybe not. But what I mean by that is wisdom goes further just what we learn. It’s the application of intelligence that is profitable. Okay… maybe that should be definition 2 in the dictionary of Shari. Knowing something isn’t wisdom unless it applied properly. Someone can have the intelligence to invent something amazing, but unless they have the wisdom on how to use it for good, then it’s not wisdom. For example, Bill Gates. A man of great intelligent with regard to the computer world, but right now he’s not using that with wisdom. He’s using it for evil. He’s a “ga-jillionaire” but what is his purpose in eternity?
While the widow, who knows nothing of cyber land, but receives a small pension from her husband, and tithes it into the collection plate at church, allowing for extra for the missionaries, is highly profitable in eternity.
Proverbs:10:2
Treasures of wickedness profit nothing: but righteousness delivereth from death.
Isaiah 48:17
Thus saith the Lord, thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I am the Lord thy God which teachers thee to profit, with leaders thee by the way that thou shoudest go.
God has not problem with His children profiting in life, but He wants that profit to have godly purpose.
The Word is Profitable
Acts 20:20-21 KJV
And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publicly, and from house to house, Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
Just going through these scriptures this morning I realize that I do not profit in the word of God nearly as much as I should. Every time I read scripture my heart overflows with blessing. Far greater than the blessing of any Amazon order arriving on the door step. Because I know that the wisdom that I am awarded for my effort, and will hopefully share with those I come into contact with will lay up for me rewards in Heaven. I’ll have those stars in my crown that are so often sung about.
But not without using the word with godly wisdom. Studying to show myself approved and applying that wisdom to my life. Then I have gifts 🎁 🎁 🎁 for the King!
1 Timothy 4:8
For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.
The Woodshed is Profitable
2 Timothy 3:16
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.
I’m no more of a fan of the woodshed than I am Eliphaz. It’s not a good time when you feel the Spirit of God chastising you for wrong doing. But it’s profitable. Else I’d make the same mistake again. But we live in a world where no body wants to get their little feelings hurt… myself included. But I have first hand seen the damage that causes not only in my own life but in the lives of families who choose not to discipline their children or accept godly preaching on behavior.
When I see those nutcase children screaming into a camera and posting it on social media for all the world to see my first thought is “Your parents must have disciplined you with cupcakes and rainbow sprinkles. The woodshed may hurt temporarily but the outcome is of great reward.
Good Works are Profitable
Titus 3:8
This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. Theses things are good and profitable unto men.
While good works will not save you, they don’t go un-noticed by God. And while I’m not sure what the stars in our crown will be awarded for, I do know who we’ll have the opportunity to award them to, and that would be the Savior! I want that profit! I don’t want to stand before my Savior, Who gave it all for me, and have nothing to give Him in return. I want to be a part of the celebration on that glorious day in Heaven when we stand before the King and He says well done! And then I want to lay that crown down at His feet like the woman with the alabaster box. I want to kiss His feet and thank Him for all He’s done in my life!
This World Is Not Profitable
Mark 8:36
For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?
If you owned it all, and lose your soul by failing to accept the price that Jesus Christ paid for you to be in Eternity with Him for ever, you’ll burn up in the final days and live in Hell for eternity. If you do not know what it means to know Christ as Savior and Lord, please, contact me or a bible believing preacher, and it’s sad to say, that’s not every preacher. Remember what I said about there being a difference between wisdom and intelligence. There’s a lot of smart preacher out there who don’t have wisdom. They’ve bought the lies of the world as well. If you’re unsure of who to turn to, message me, and I’ll find you a preacher in your area. But don’t miss out on the greatest of all blessings!!!!