“... Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.  But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear Him, which after He hath killed hath power to cast into Hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear Him” (Luke 12:1-5).
   In our world today we find many people who use and abuse the tool of fear to control other people.  The Mafia for example gains money and power through the instrument of fear, relying on their ability to intimidate others... History teaches us that Adolf Hitler frightened and terrorized the masses to gain power and keep the people under subjection... 
   However, every person ever born into this world should recognize that there is a Creator.  “All things were made by Him and for Him...”  We are His creatures and we are all accountable to our Maker.  And as the Holy Scriptures tell us, we should Fear HIM!
  The Bible teaches us that, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding” (Proverbs 9:10).  Unfortunately, there is no reverence or respect for God among most of society in our day.  Decisions are made without prayer.  Important questions in life are answered by philosophers of the world, rather than examining what the Holy Bible teaches.
   Listen to me please.  Wisdom does not come from books, knowledge comes from books.  You  receive wisdom from fearing God, and growing  in His Word.  “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the Word, that ye may grow thereby” (1 Peter 2:2).  The experiences of life, the troubles and trials that upset us bring us closer to God.  It is interesting to note that most people have very little time for the things of the Lord until tragedy strikes.  But, everyone fears God in an earthquake!  Everybody fears God when a health problem arises!  Every person fears God when it is a matter of life or death!
   Are things going so well for you now that you don’t see your need to fear God?  Are you too busy making money, and fulfilling your desires to Fear HIM?  The wisest man that ever lived was King Solomon.  The Lord used King Solomon to write most of the book of Proverbs.  Proverbs is rich with wise sayings that help instruct us to be better Christians.   And as an old man, at the end of his full, prosperous life Solomon wrote in the book of Ecclesiastes, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man” (Eccl. 12:13).
   The Bible teaches that “By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life” (Proverbs 22:4).  We receive everything we have from God.  However, we are promised in His Word that the Lord will bless those that have a reverent respect for Him!
The greatest wealth that anyone can receive is not a big house, or a new luxurious car, or millions of dollars.  No, the greatest wealth you can receive is eternal life!  “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord”. 
   The Lord Jesus came into this world two thousand years ago and His own Jewish people refused to receive His offer.  Now today He provides salvation to all those that fear Him.  “For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon Him.  For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Rom.10:12,13). 
I encourage you to examine your own heart.  If tragedy struck today, and you passed into eternity, do you know for sure you would go to Heaven?  Have you received Christ as your personal Saviour?  “...yea, I say unto you, Fear Him”

                                                                                                                                                                                                         Tom Meador