The Richest Man On Earth

“He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” (Pr 28:13 AV)

 

Here, prosperity is equated to the attainment of mercy.  Normally, when we think of prosperity, we think of material gain.  When we think of prosperity, a picture of a nice home enters the mind.  When we consider what prosperity might look like, there is a large yard, two cars in the driveway, and enough in the savings account to retire on.  When it comes to the way God thinks, material blessings are not the first definition of prosperity.  Rather, the gaining of divine mercy is the most treasured possession of all.  There is also another way of looking at this.  That is, the first part of the proverb above warns if we do not seek the mercy of God by first forsaking our sin, then the lack of prosperity is our consequence.  Putting it another way, if we do not forsake our sin, then God will work contrary to our efforts and we will not receive blessings of life.  To get back to the original thought, however, we want to consider how much mercy means to the heart of the saint and why the gaining of that mercy is considered prosperity.

Mercy is the greatest need of the human heart that often goes unrecognized.  There is a second need that is closely related.  That is affirmation.  A realization others value us for who and what we are regardless of our shortcomings or faults.  A belief we have worth.  This belief in self-worth does have an element of mercy attached to it because we understand affirmation requires grace for someone to see worth in you despite what you might think of yourself.  Mercy is indeed a great treasure.  This mercy is even more valued when we consider how much it means to be forgiven.  When we undergo an honest self-evaluation, we realize how far short we have fallen.  We realize all that we have failed to do for the God who graciously saved us.  We realize the law, as it appears in His word, illuminates just how wicked our hearts can be.  The need for mercy is not contingent upon the need to feel better about ourselves.  Rather, the need for mercy is based on our desire to please the One who gave His life for us.  This need and attainment of mercy is God’s approval of us as a person despite what we have done.  This need for mercy is a deep-rooted human urge that often is covered by secondary means.

This need for mercy is often rejected because pride in our hearts is greater than the need for mercy.  When pride fails and guilt rages, then the need for mercy is found in another source.  Usually a vice.  Sometimes, rationalization is the god of mercy whom we worship.  Yet a lifetime is spent trying to find the one thing material prosperity cannot give.  That is, affirmation founded upon mercy.  If I can be forgiven, it is worth far more than any material possession one could own.  If I believed with my whole heart (and I do) in the mercy and grace of God, I don’t need houses or lands, dreams or plans, the dearest thing to me, etc…  If I know God has forgiven me of all my screw-ups, cleansed me from all my secret faults, and loves me based purely on His grace and mercy, then I am the richest man alive!