A Life that Has Security

Everyone needs to feel safe and secure. Not only children but adults need to feel secure and safe. In fact, security is one of man’s basic needs and man will spend his life seeking to feel secure. He will often look to power, wealth or people to give him this basic need. However, all three of these are only an illusion of security. There is a story told of a man who sought security in wealth.

And He told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man was very productive. And he began reasoning to himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, since I have no place to store my crops?’ Then he said, ‘This is what I will do: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years to come; take your ease, eat, drink and be merry.”’ Luke 12:16-19

This man had worked hard and had stored up his wealth so that he would feel secure for many years. Everyone knows that only a fool will consume his money but this man, who saved his money, was an even bigger fool than the one who consumes what he receives.

But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your soul is required of you; and now who will own what you have prepared?’ So is the man who stores up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.” Luke 12:20,21

This man was wise in his own eyes and thought that he had it all figured out.

Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him. Proverbs 26:12

The one who is wise in his own eyes is the one who does not feel the need for God’s counsel. This person does not seek the Lord daily for God’s wisdom in how to live. The person who is wise in his own eyes thinks that he knows what is best. In the end, he lives for himself and is a fool.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; A good understanding have all those who do His commandments; His praise endures forever. Psalm 111:10

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of true wisdom. When a person fears the Lord, which will result in them seeking Him each day on how to live and what to do, then that one will not fear for their security or their future, for they will discover the true riches of the knowledge and wisdom of God.

How blessed is the man who fears the Lord,
Who greatly delights in His commandments.
His descendants will be mighty on earth;
The generation of the upright will be blessed.
Wealth and riches are in his house,
And his righteousness endures forever. Psalm 112:1b-3

Not only will the man who fears God receive wisdom but his children will become mighty men and women of God. There will be wealth and riches in his house and he will do what is right. He will live in security and peace.

It is the blessing of the Lord that makes rich, And He adds no sorrow to it. Proverbs 10:22

You may find many books on how to acquire wealth but it is only the Lord who can make rich and add no sorrow to it. If you acquire much but lose your soul then what profit is there? If you become quite wealthy but your marriage fails and your children don’t love you then you have become emotionally poor. If you become rich but lose your health then your riches have come at a great price. If the price for your riches was your reputation then what benefit is it if you have lost the respect of others.

A good name is to be more desired than great wealth, Favor is better than silver and gold. Proverbs 22:1

Security comes not from seeking wealth but from seeking God.

Do not weary yourself to gain wealth,
Cease from your consideration of it.
When you set your eyes on it, it is gone.
For wealth certainly makes itself wings
Like an eagle that flies toward the heavens. Luke 23:4,5

There is no better book on how to gain security than the Bible. The Bible is the greatest source for wisdom on riches, wealth and security.

“I love those who love me;
And those who diligently seek me will find me.
“Riches and honor are with me,
Enduring wealth and righteousness.
“My fruit is better than gold, even pure gold,
And my yield better than choicest silver.
“I walk in the way of righteousness,
In the midst of the paths of justice,
To endow those who love me with wealth,
That I may fill their treasuries. Proverbs 8:17-21