ESOCS Devotional 13 December 2025 – Purposeful Living
MEMORY VERSE: “The godly are like trees that bear life-giving fruit, and those who save lives are wise.” Proverbs 11:30 NLT
TEXT: PROVERBS 11:22-31
As a ring of gold in a swine’s snout,
So is a lovely woman who lacks discretion.
23 The desire of the righteous is only good,
But the expectation of the wicked is wrath.
24 There is one who scatters, yet increases more;
And there is one who withholds more than is right,
But it leads to poverty.
25 The generous soul will be made rich,
And he who waters will also be watered himself.
26 The people will curse him who withholds grain,
But blessing will be on the head of him who sells it.
27 He who earnestly seeks good finds favor,
But trouble will come to him who seeks evil.
28 He who trusts in his riches will fall,
But the righteous will flourish like foliage.
29 He who troubles his own house will inherit the wind,
And the fool will be servant to the wise of heart.
30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life,
And he who wins souls is wise.
31 If the righteous will be recompensed on the earth,
How much more the ungodly and the sinner.
Read Other ESOCS Devotional Here
What is a great life? A life well lived? A noble life with purpose and value? It is a man with this epitaph: “He loved God more than all others; he was a tree of life to all others.”
Why are you alive? What is your purpose? You have two goals – to love God and help others. Pleasure is not your goal, but fulfilling these duties brings the greatest pleasure.
Are you a tree of life? A righteous man affects the lives of others for good. Are you a soul winner? A wise man will work to save the lives of those around him. The second most important commandment in the Christian religion, after loving God, is to love others. The most loving thing you can do for another person is to help them live a godly and wise life.
Great persons are trees of life – winning souls from sin and folly to righteousness and truth. There is no higher calling, in your relationships with others, than to help them by providing correction and instruction to please their Creator and enjoy the abundant life of godliness and wisdom. The highest measure of love is perfecting others before God.
God chose His people to eternal life and will glorify every one of them in heaven soon (Rom 8:28-39; Tit 1:1-2). He assigned Jesus Christ to live a perfect life for them and to die a substitutionary death for them, and He will not lose a single one (Jn. 6:37-39; 10:26-29; 17:2). But it is our gospel privilege to show this truth to God’s elects (2 Tim 2:10).
We are to warn others about sin, which is true love (Lev 19:17). This is serious business. We speak up about backbiting, bitterness, complaining, cremation, drunkenness, envy, foolish talking, fornication, gluttony, grudges, malice, witchcraft, etc. Whenever an opportunity shows up.
Are you ready to win others? There are two basics. First, you must set a godly example by total submission to God and good works (I Pet. 3:15; Matt. 5:16). Second, you need to learn God’s truth and wisdom to be able to give certain words of truth to those asking about your successful life (1 Pet. 3:15; Prov. 22:17-21). This is what it entails to live a PURPOSEFUL life!
CHALLENGES
- How many men have you turned to Christ since you became saved?
PRAYER POINT
- Lord Jesus, I need your grace to live a life of impact.
FURTHER READING: Proverbs 13:1-16; 1 John 3:14-24; 4:1-10
ESOCS Devotional 13 December 2025
