Proverbs 1:13

We will seize all kinds of precious wealth;
we will fill our houses with plunder.
Proverbs 1:13, New English Translation (NET)
 
The other great enticement to join with those intent on evil, other than the promised thrill of mayhem, is the promise of fortune. Crime, the criminals proclaim, pays, and pays well. This, quite naturally, plays right into the desire of so many to get rich, overnight if possible. We see the continuous parade of those who have seemingly hit the jackpot, and we yearn for the same thing to happen to us, even to the point of not really caring what we must do to achieve it. This is a dangerous road to travel, but in many areas around the globe, a very popular one.
 
What is it about illicit gains that proves to be such a potent temptation for so many of us? And, just as a quick reminder Proverbs, as is most of the Bible, is written to, and for, the people of God, not those on the “outside.” We are speaking of the temptations and enticements that are faced by those who worship and believe in God. So, I ask again, what is it about illicit gains that are such a potent temptation for so many of us?
 
Most of us should be familiar with the idea that, “the love of money is the root of all sorts of evil (1 Timothy 6:10),” yet the acquisition of wealth with as little effort as possible is widespread, even among God’s people. Unfortunately, we have plenty of role models from whom we can learn much about the pursuit of wealth. Not only do we have the example of many preachers who live in grand mansions, but we also have an entire genre of preaching that is based on prosperity and tapping into God’s “wealth.” Who can blame us for being more than a little confused? The enticement of wealth is formidable indeed.