Title
Deceitfully Sweet
Scripture
Bread gained by deceit is sweet to a man, but afterward his mouth will be filled with gravel.
(Proverbs 20:17)
Devotional
Quick illicit gain is enticing to our sinful nature. Nevertheless, its fruit is bitter. What is it about getting something for nothing that entices so many people? Casinos, state lotteries, sweepstakes and the like draw so many into their tempting clutches. I have found that the sweetness of this type of gain is very short lived. We are designed to work for the increase we receive. Whether from an inheritance or business, true wealth is obtained by someone's toil and labor. Proverbs 13:11 tells us, "Wealth gained by dishonesty will be diminished, but he who gathers by labor will increase."[1] Think about this, for every person that wins the lottery, countless others have lost their money. And you know that the majority of the losers cannot afford to lose what little they have. Hopefully, we will see the bitterness caused to others and ourselves through this deceitful gain.
[1] Proverbs 13:11