Tag Archives: Book of Proverbs
The poor is hated even of his own neighbour: but the rich hath many friends. He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he. -Proverbs 14:20-21, KJV
There are two different kinds of poor people:
- The person who owns little but is responsible and honest: They may be poor in possessions, but also being poor in spirit just means they acknowledge their status and keep striving.
- The person who is wasteful and irresponsible: They are poor in possessions, but they are also poor in humility and refuse to accept responsibility for their circumstances. They may even think others owe them.
It is easy to not feel bad (or to strongly dislike or even have hate) for the one who squandered everything and blames others. It is easier to feel sorry for and even be friends with the one who owns little but owns up to their station. (Trust me. I have been there.)
Even a rich person can be poor in humility and therefore be hated.
But God calls us to love the lowly of every type, whether of means or of character. We are not to despise them but show mercy acks kindness.
That may mean a handout (even if we think they may spend or trade it for drugs and alcohol), but it definitely means showing them God’s love, mercy, and grace. For that is what He did for us.
Leave a comment | tags: Book of Proverbs, Character, charity, God's love, grace, humility, love, Mercy, Path of Life, Pride | posted in giving/charity, Mercy, Paths of Life, pride/humility
A wise son heareth his father’s instruction: but a scorner heareth not rebuke. -Proverbs 13:1, KJV
My dad recently told me how proud of me he is. Of course, I took his advice on a few things, so there is that.
I guess it helps show I can be wise and just a wiseacre!
There have been times I have not listened to him. He and my mom would tell me what would happen if I followed through with my plans.
Then I would hear it: “I told you so.” I usually felt pretty silly, too, but my parents did help me to know that they took no pleasure in my pain nor being proven right.
The Big Rebuke
The biggest rebuke in history came when Jesus came to live and die for our sins.
He told us that the Father’s standards are not ours, and we need help. He told us He would send a Helper, the Holy Spirit, who would convict us of our son and lead back to Him. He told us He will return to finally judge us.
If you reject the Spirit’s prodding and Jesus’ warnings, one day you will hear Him say very sadly, “I told you so.”
And there will be no more time to change your mind.
Leave a comment | tags: advice, Book of Proverbs, Conviction, God the Father, Holy Spirit, instruction, Jesus, Rebuke, Scorner, Warning, wise | posted in advice, Instruction, Warnings
The righteous eateth to the satisfying of his soul: but the belly of the wicked shall want. -Proverbs 13:25 KJV
Teenage boys can certainly seem wicked with the way they treat each other and can seem selfish. The proof, based on this verse, would seem to be that their bellies are always wanting more food!
Obviously, this is not what this passage is about.
Recently, a new round of studies was released again confirming the benefits of intermittent fasting. And what does the Bible teach? Fasting, as a way to draw nearer to God and seek His direction, is expected of the faithful.
Those who regularly fast tend to appreciate food more appropriately. They typically eat healthier, because coming out of a fast properly matters. And when it is known food will not be consumed for a time, they want good food in them before and after to remain healthy.
They may also be more appreciative of the food they receive.
But there is purpose.
They tend to be seeking God, even when eating.
But wicked people may not only think fasting is stupid but mock those who do. Or they think those who fast are either judgmental or legalistic.
And, instead, their stomachs become their gods. (Just look at the number of restaurants, eating fads, and TV shows about food in our Western culture.)
Leave a comment | tags: Book of Proverbs, Eating, Fasting, Food | posted in food
My wife and I have taught in schools. She has almost only ever taught Kindergarten (about 4 months of not in eight years), and I taught 7th Grade Mathematics and further back in Special Education.
I tell you what, working with a lot of kids can teach a lot about life! Especially how cruel and mean people can be.
A recent movement in the past few years is called “Be Kind”. The name is pretty self explanatory, and they do some good work helping teach students to simply be nice to each other.
Proverbs chapter 12 can be summarized this same way: Be Kind.
Think about it: it starts with advice for controlling yourself (discipline, vv. 1-4), transitions through recognizing it starts with our thoughts (vv. 5-8), moves to our actions toward others (including animals! vv. 9-12), and the majority focuses on what we say (vv. 13-26).
Words probably get the most time because of how much we tear each other down with our words. Sometimes it is unintentional.
But we must remember that kindness starts internally, with our thoughts and beliefs. So, to be kind means we start by changing our thinking, and ultimately it happens by trusting in God.
He first showed His kindness by coming to us lowly sinners to reveal truth and die for our forgiveness. The ultimate kindness is leading others to life in Christ.
The path of the righteous is life, and in its pathway there is no death.
Proverbs 12:28
Leave a comment | tags: Be Kind, Book of Proverbs, discipline, Jesus, kindness, Life, relationships, Speech, Thoughts | posted in conversation/speech, discipline, Relationships
A man shall not be established by wickedness: but the root of the righteous shall not be moved. -Proverbs 12:3, KJV
I can already hear what some people are saying:
If a man can’t be established by wickedness, then why do so many tyrants, despots, and fearmongerers take power?
The short answer is that they have effectively sold their souls to the Devil.
And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it. If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine.
Luke 4:5-7
Here is the kicker, though: we know that their foundation is weak. Christ is the firm foundation on which stand.
These leaders are like trees growing in dry, drought-wrought land. They seem strong and powerful, but when storm clouds come, they will be easily uprooted.
As Christians, however, we are grafted into the strong Root of Jesse.
And again Isaiah says, “The root of Jesse will come, even he who arises to rule the Gentiles; in him will the Gentiles hope.”
Romans 15:12
Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
Matthew 24:30
When Jesus returns (or these leaders die), then it will be known how faulty their foundations were, that God is the only true foundation to have. Their roots will be torn up, but our powerful God is our own root.
Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
Luke 4:8
Leave a comment | tags: Book of Proverbs, Devil, Good foundations, hope, Jesus, Kingdoms, paths of life, righteous, Sell your soul, The Wicked, Warning | posted in Paths of Life, The Righteous, The Wicked, Warnings
A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel. -Proverbs 12:10, KJV
I love my dogs. We even sometimes call them our “fur babies.” Sometimes I spoil them with a trip to the coffee shop that has Puppaccinos for dogs (whipped cream with dog biscuits on top). I feel bad when they do not get their regularly timed walks or step on a sharp rock or hot asphalt during those walks.
Even though I love these guys, if my wife or another human were in trouble, I would choose the human over them.
Have Mercy
Some people, however, only view animals as property, at best. Their idea of mercy on their dogs is not kicking them very hard or remembering to feed them today.
Oftentimes, these are people who tend to treat many humans similarly. Whether it is being verbally abusive, deceptive, or simply not caring, this type of person would rather record you having a problem than help you.
This thinking infects most of us in some way, ever since the beginning when Cain asked God about Abel, “Am I my brothers keeper?” In other words, “How is this my problem? What has it to do with me?”
Jesus turned this thinking on its head, most notably in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5). To be fondly and righteous means to make others’ problems our own. It means not thinking too highly of oneself, but as a servant to others. It means having compassion and showing mercy on others.
It might even mean caring about what happens to animals. (But always in regards to human life.)
Leave a comment | tags: Animal, Animal welfare, Animals, Book of Proverbs, Dog, dogs, Dutch Bros., Human, loving others, Mercy, Pets, Puppaccino, Puppaccinos, Wicked | posted in Animals, Mercy, Relationships
Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish. -Proverbs 12:1, KJV
Loves Knowledge
My dad has always loved knowledge. For a long time he had a subscription to National Geographic magazine. He still enjoys watching a good documentary. (Sometimes even a bad documentary.)
He made sure his children understood why he loves these things, to be able have a better understanding of our world and the people and places in it. Then he could avoid stupid mistakes, or, when a mistake was made or he flat out did something wrong, he could learn from it.
Hates Correction
A friend of mine had (yes, past tense) a dad who “never did anything wrong.” He taught his kids how to weasel out of responsibility, to not get caught. Since nothing was his fault, he could live with a “clean conscience” knowing no one was coming after him. His only sense of discipline was in crafting better excuses and his body to deal with those who got in his way. (One day, this mentality is what helped lead to his … past tense-ness.)
Outcomes
Clearly, my dad’s instruction and discipline helped to lead me toward Christ (which then led my parents to Him).
My friend and his dad never (or at least not yet, for my friend) saw a need for the Savior. If nothing is your fault, you are guiltless, right? It is easier to fight or weasel your way out of trouble.
Wisdom sees our need for knowledge and correction, and those will ultimately lead to our good God.
Oh, and happy father’s day!
1 Comment | tags: Book of Proverbs, Correction and Discipline, Dad, discipline, Family, Father, Fathers, Knowledge, Learning, Parent, paths of life, Reproof, Wisdom | posted in discipline, Knowledge, Parenting, Paths of Life
Whoever belittles his neighbor lacks sense, but a man of understanding remains silent.
Proverbs 11:12, ESV
Today happens to be my ninth wedding anniversary.
Any good husband will tell you there is a time when you should just keep your mouth shut and listen to your wife.
Honestly, it is advice that can go both ways. Neither partner should be so prideful as to assume you know everything better than the other. Mutual communication benefits both!
Conversely, it is unwise to speak down to the other. Belittling – literally causing someone’s ideas and character to seem small and meaningless – only creates pain and bitterness. It is no longer a partnership but a tyranny, and even more confusing when both are guilty of this. Whoever belittles attempts to control the other, and this means slavery and problems.
It is best to work together and be willing to hear each other out.
And, yes, I may be talking about married couples, but this advice applies to any relationship, even with strangers.
4 Comments | tags: Belittle, Belittles, Belittling, Book of Proverbs, Marital Discord, marriage, Marriage Guidance, marriage problems, Marriage secrets, relationships, Silence, Speech | posted in conversation/speech, marriage
A false balance is abomination to the Lord : but a just weight is his delight. When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom. The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them. -Proverbs 11:1-3 KJV
Dishonesty, or lying, is an abomination to God. Think about: He made it one of the 10 commandments! (#9, Exodus 20:16, Deuteronomy 5:20)
Dishonesty denies the image of God in others. It is the same as saying other people are worthless.
It also leads to problems.
False Balances
Something to arise in the most recent recession (about 2008) was the business of buying gold. You can bring in your jewelry and knickknacks to be weighed and sold based on the current market value. If a merchant used poorly (or fraudulently) calibrated scales, they could pay you far less than the current value. (I spent a very short time doing this, and they usually purchased an average of 15% below market value to make a profit.)
Who does it profit? Obviously the merchant.
Wait and See
One positive to government regulation is that there are frequent inspections to stop people from falsifying their scales. Those caught had to pay huge fines and permanently close up shop. At worst, they also went to jail.
When dishonesty is used, it is usually found out. Just look at the news on almost any given day, when business and government leaders are caught in the act of deceiving people.
Usually, it is because their pride convinces them that they are smarter than everyone else or that they are above everyone else, that the rules don’t apply to them.
But wait and see, their deeds will catch up to them.
It may not be in this life, but there will be consequences.
However, living honestly and with integrity not only protects you from bad consequences in this life, but it can lead you to live like God, who cannot lie (Numbers 23:19, Titus 1:2, Hebrews 6:18), and to Jesus, the way, the truth, and the life.
Leave a comment | tags: Book of Proverbs, Business, cheats, Dishonesty, Gold, Government, honesty, humility, Liars, money, paths of life, Pride, scales, truth, Warning, Weights, Wisdom | posted in Money and Finances, Truth, Warnings
Proverbs chapter eleven is all about integrity.
What does inegrity entail?
Honesty
Telling the truth and doing what’s right is important. Honesty is life-affirming, acknowledging the image of God in others, and, honestly, keeping life simple. It is easier to keep your story straight when you tell the truth and do what’s right.
Responsibility
Doing what’s right, doing what one ought, is also life-affirming. Sin is most often associated with what we did wrong, but it includes what we don’t do that we should. If we did what was needed when it should be done (right away or when time allows), life would be easier. Owning mistakes is included, as growth comes more quickly. It is irresponsible to shift the blame or hope “someone else will do it.” It is better to do what is right, even if someone else could or should do it.
Generosity
Giving to others or taking up the burden of another demonstrates generosity. And – you probably guessed it – it is life affirming. It shows love to others. It tells others “You are worth it.” It clears up problems before they even exist or before they are out of control.
Living with Integrity
If you want to live with integrity, live out the concepts of Proverbs. Take five minutes and read the entire chapter and see how integrated and interrelated all of these concepts are.
They represent God’s character, and living with integrity makes your character more like His.
“Be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Matthew 5:48)
Leave a comment | tags: Book of Proverbs, generosity, Giving, honesty, Integrity, paths of life, responsibility, Wisdom, Work | posted in giving/charity, Paths of Life, Wisdom, Work
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Proverbial Thought 