The book of Proverbs applies to your life today.

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My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments, for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you. --Proverbs 3:1-2 There are all kinds of money managers, advisors, and counselors in our world today. There are attorneys, financial planners, bankers, stock brokers, venture capitalists, and CPAs who offer sound financial advice. And there’s much to be gained from listening to the counsel of these professionals. But what if I could introduce you to one of the wisest and wealthiest men who has ever lived to give you counsel about your finances? This man is Solomon. And his counsel is known as the Old Testament book of Proverbs. The book of Proverbs is a collection of wise sayings. It’s a series of short sentences that are long in meaning. And every one of them applies to your life today—including your financial life. Over the next week, we’re going to taking a look at the book of Proverbs to see what God’s Word says about money. I’m confident your outlook on your finances will be altered and challenged by this important series of devotionals! The book of Proverbs applies to your life today. Your Work and God’s Work by Dr. Paul Chappell “Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” Philippians 2:12–13 If you visit a typical playground, you will find several standard slides, swings, monkey bars, perhaps a merry-go-round, and often you will find a seesaw. Most of the equipment can be played by one child alone, but the seesaw requires two, or there simply isn’t much fun to be had. It is the balancing back and forth by both parties, making the seesaw go up and down, that provides the enjoyment. Without both parties actively involved, the board simply sits there. In a way, the seesaw is a picture of the participation God calls us to in our spiritual growth. Although it is God who works in us, He also calls us to participate with Him in what He is doing. We must have God’s help and power, or we have nothing. Jesus said, “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing” (John 15:5). Yet at the same time, if we do not actively participate in what God is doing, no progress will take place. We are commanded to “work out” the salvation we received by God’s grace. Receiving salvation has nothing to do with any work or effort on our part. But deliverance from the power and penalty of sin is not the end of God’s plan for us—it is only the beginning. Our destiny in Heaven is secure, but God’s plan for us until then is that we are conformed to the image of Christ. While this is a process that only happens by God’s grace, we are to obey God’s instructions and cooperate with His grace in transforming us. He provides the power and the ability, but we must apply them in action.   Today’s Growth Principle:  We must never forget our responsibility to do our part in becoming more like Jesus Christ.