“The memory of the righteous will be a blessing, but the name of the wicked will rot.” – Proverbs 10:7
Wickedness is fun for a minute, that’s why everyone does it! But the allure of unrighteousness quickly fades away. Righteousness on the other hand may not be especially appealing at the onset, that’s why so many neglect it! But over the long haul, the benefits of righteousness prove out. This scripture says that the very memory of the righteous will be a blessing to the one remembering. In contrast the name of the wicked will rot. This is the nature of wickedness. It’s constantly devolving like a bunch of ripe bananas you get from the store. Sure, they look great when you buy them, beautiful, yellow and delicious. But over time that pretty yellow becomes spotted with dark brown and black spots. The inner flesh starts out firm and flavorful, but quickly degenerates into an inedible mush (unless you are cooking banana bread)!
Righteousness on the other hand gets better with age. Righteousness is more like wine or cheese. Age actually enhances its character. Its value increases with the passage of time! Some people are willing to pay hundreds or thousands of dollars for an older bottle of wine, keeping it like a prized possession in a wine cellar. Initially it’s not that appealing, but over the years, it becomes a priceless commodity! In our quick fix, instant, gotta have it now culture, it’s no wonder why wickedness gets all the attention. Wickedness provides instant gratification, while righteousness is proved out in the long term.
I think of Hollywood, to me the glorification of all things stupid. For months and maybe even a couple of years stars in Hollywood have names that command millions of dollars in box office sales. But sooner rather than later that star of the silver screen becomes a “has-been”. Their name rots! Next thing you know they go from doing gazillion dollar summer blockbusters to a “direct to video release!” Contrast that with the righteous, even many in church history. Sure, when they walked the earth they enjoyed some level of respect, but the longer we live without them, the more they are appreciated. I think of someone like Smith Wigglesworth, when he walked the earth he wasn’t particularly liked. Yet nearly 100 years after his death, the man is revered and an example to many in the church! His memory is a blessing!
Maybe that’s why Jesus said:
“He told them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all your seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and perch in its branches." – Matthew 13:31-32
LIFE LESSON:
Most things that start with a bang end with a fizzle. Many things that start with a fizzle end with a bang!
Wickedness is fun for a minute, that’s why everyone does it! But the allure of unrighteousness quickly fades away. Righteousness on the other hand may not be especially appealing at the onset, that’s why so many neglect it! But over the long haul, the benefits of righteousness prove out. This scripture says that the very memory of the righteous will be a blessing to the one remembering. In contrast the name of the wicked will rot. This is the nature of wickedness. It’s constantly devolving like a bunch of ripe bananas you get from the store. Sure, they look great when you buy them, beautiful, yellow and delicious. But over time that pretty yellow becomes spotted with dark brown and black spots. The inner flesh starts out firm and flavorful, but quickly degenerates into an inedible mush (unless you are cooking banana bread)!
Righteousness on the other hand gets better with age. Righteousness is more like wine or cheese. Age actually enhances its character. Its value increases with the passage of time! Some people are willing to pay hundreds or thousands of dollars for an older bottle of wine, keeping it like a prized possession in a wine cellar. Initially it’s not that appealing, but over the years, it becomes a priceless commodity! In our quick fix, instant, gotta have it now culture, it’s no wonder why wickedness gets all the attention. Wickedness provides instant gratification, while righteousness is proved out in the long term.
I think of Hollywood, to me the glorification of all things stupid. For months and maybe even a couple of years stars in Hollywood have names that command millions of dollars in box office sales. But sooner rather than later that star of the silver screen becomes a “has-been”. Their name rots! Next thing you know they go from doing gazillion dollar summer blockbusters to a “direct to video release!” Contrast that with the righteous, even many in church history. Sure, when they walked the earth they enjoyed some level of respect, but the longer we live without them, the more they are appreciated. I think of someone like Smith Wigglesworth, when he walked the earth he wasn’t particularly liked. Yet nearly 100 years after his death, the man is revered and an example to many in the church! His memory is a blessing!
Maybe that’s why Jesus said:
“He told them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all your seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and perch in its branches." – Matthew 13:31-32
LIFE LESSON:
Most things that start with a bang end with a fizzle. Many things that start with a fizzle end with a bang!
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