Strong tower

https://odb.org/2023/12/12/strong-tower

Proverbs 18:11-13 teaches that: the name of the LORD is a fortified tower, the righteous run to it, and are safe. The wealth of the rich is their fortified city; they imagine it a wall too high to scale. Before a downfall, the heart is haughty, but humility comes before honour.

It is ancient and Godly wisdom that although wealth is something tangible that we can rely upon to sustain us – even for generations, it has a tendency to snare us falling into the pride of life, the lust of the eyes and the lust of the flesh. With wealth, we are more likely to fall, particularly in pride and then into debauchery – living a life driven by wealth and worldly pursuits with no or little regard for the LORD. That is why God teaches us from Proverbs that our fortified tower is only the LORD. Choose God over wealth, and with wealth, we still choose God. Make sure our heart is not haughty as the LORD teaches – humility comes before honour. In other words, being humble is more important than saving face.

There have been people who have lost all to maintain their pride and ego to prove; for example, they can lose that much. It is a silly pursuit because God is the real safe harbour, the genuine fortified tower. He is the ONLY path to eternity. That is also why Jesus taught us to store up our riches in heaven where moth and rust may not destroy, and thieves will not steal. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world but loses his soul?

There were some who pursued wealth so that one day they would have financial freedom, and yet when they have wealth, the wealth possessed them to acquire more and more. Like the ring in the Lord of the Rings. It is ironic and yet true; the rich are stingy and hold on tightly to their millions, some even embracing their money to the grave rather than blessing others. Alas on the other side, earthly wealth is of zero consequence. Naked we came, naked shall we go.

God is the real strong tower. Not our career or position in life. Definitely not our wealth. Choose God over wealth and when wealthy, still continue to choose God. Solomon did the former well but faltered in the latter. His conclusion in Ecclesiastes? Life without God is meaningless.