“…prosperity will come to you.” Job 22:21b

It seems painfully obvious that Eliphaz promised the return of Job’s prosperity… if he would just submit to God and return to right living. This is, yet, another veiled indictment against Job… only this time with an incentive. The street smart Eliphaz knew all too well that the root of all evil was the love of money… an evil with which Eliphaz himself may have struggled. Could he have believed Job had some hidden stash somewhere on his property? His words that followed may suggest such.

“If you return to The Almighty, you will be restored: if you remove wickedness far from your tent and assign your nuggets to the dust, your gold of Ophir to the rocks in the ravines, then The Almighty will be your gold, and choicest silver for you. Surely then you will find delight in The Almighty and will lift up your face to God.” (vv. 23 – 26)

Men have long hidden deposits of gold and silver (or money) in secret places. Before the idea of banks came along, it was a prudent thing to do. It was similar to a rainy-day fund, retirement or savings account. Eliphaz was basically asking Job to scatter his hidden gold to the land for others to find. Three against one… a perfect setup for robbing an unsuspecting and wounded Job. Was that what they were really there for? Perhaps not, though the thought – as you see – did cross my mind.

If Job did have a hidden stash, wouldn’t he already be using it to re-establish his wife and himself? Wouldn’t it have been used to purchase replacement livestock and buy materials to rebuild his barns? In any case, isn’t Eliphaz’s focus on wealth a bit over the top? Why didn’t he offer Job any assistance to re-establish him? Why didn’t Eliphaz give of his own resources to help a friend in need.

A friend at a time of need IS a friend indeed. Responding to the felt needs of others by materially supplying a portion or all of that need is real benevolence… philanthropy in its purest form… caring in its highest expression. Are we ready to offer such? Most of us could not afford to outright give our resources to help another, though we could loan assistance. It is not evil when the loan is offered at a reasonable or minimal interest rate (or even with no interest at all).

There are preachers today who espouse a prosperity gospel. They dangle the redemption of Christ, paid for at the high cost of His own blood and suffering, with the promise of wealth… which does one no good at all after death. It was the same temptation Eliphaz was offering Job.

There is more to restoration than material wealth: the love of family and friends; the joy of celebrating anniversaries and birthdays; the peace known from no threat by friend or foe; the patience exercised in anticipating another harvest; the kindness received from a friend who offers a helping hand; the goodness shown by others who show random acts of kindness; the faithfulness experienced in a loving marriage; the gentleness given to a new-born baby; and the discipline of knowing when and how to speak. These are the real treasures The Spirit of God offers one who comes to Him. He gives liberally of those things with eternal value (read Galatians 5:22-26). Jesus taught that one’s treasure should be found in heaven – not on earth, where moths and rust can destroy such (read Matthew 6:19-24).

Where is the stash of your treasure found? How are you investing it intentionally? How are you distributing the spiritual wealth of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control?

Have a blessed day…