Rapid Fire Wisdom

 

Proverbs 14:23 In all toil there is profit,
    but mere talk tends only to poverty.
24 The crown of the wise is their wealth,
    but the folly of fools brings folly.
25 A truthful witness saves lives,
    but one who breathes out lies is deceitful.
26 In the fear of the Lord one has strong confidence,
    and his children will have a refuge.
27 The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life,
    that one may turn away from the snares of death.

When we get to the middle of the Proverbs, we find one after another wise sayings which go from one topic to another.  Such is the wisdom Solomon had asked of God as he began his rule. Wisdom helps whatever comes up during any day in life, be it finances, speech, relationships or faith.  Wisdom includes hard work, self-control, honesty, humility, and sincere faith in God. It's one big picture of life worth living as opposed to the foolishness of life lived without God and His truth. Each proverb is worth savoring and taking to heart, as well as bringing together with all the others about the same topic. They give life stability.

Diligence Does

 Proverbs 12:24-27

The hand of the diligent will rule,
    while the slothful will be put to forced labor.
25 Anxiety in a man's heart weighs him down,
    but a good word makes him glad.
26 One who is righteous is a guide to his neighbor,
    but the way of the wicked leads them astray.
27 Whoever is slothful will not roast his game,
    but the diligent man will get precious wealth.
28 In the path of righteousness is life,
    and in its pathway there is no death.

We live in an anxious generation. Many live in a constant state of worry and waiting for the worst.  To be sure, there are many concerns in the world, near and far, but there always have been since the Fall.  Wisdom speaks up and says: "Be Diligent. Do what you can and trust God for the rest.  You will be blessed and bless those around you.

Whoever...

 Proverbs 11:25 Whoever brings blessing will be enriched,
    and one who waters will himself be watered.
26 The people curse him who holds back grain,
    but a blessing is on the head of him who sells it.
27 Whoever diligently seeks good seeks favor,
    but evil comes to him who searches for it.
28 Whoever trusts in his riches will fall,
    but the righteous will flourish like a green leaf.
29 Whoever troubles his own household will inherit the wind,
    and the fool will be servant to the wise of heart.

Don't hold back from giving to others.  If there is one principle threaded throughout these verses, it is that one needs to hand whatever he has wisely and generously. The one who holds back, always wants more, and puts his trust in his wealth will only bring trouble not only to himself, but to his household and others who need his help.  Such a way of living misses out on much: other blessings God has for us, watching our family flourish, and experiencing the joy of watching others have their needs met by God working through us. Don't miss out!

Righteousness Is No Joke

 

Proverbs 10:23 Doing wrong is like a joke to a fool,
    but wisdom is pleasure to a man of understanding.
24 What the wicked dreads will come upon him,
    but the desire of the righteous will be granted.
25 When the tempest passes, the wicked is no more,
    but the righteous is established forever.
26 Like vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes,
    so is the sluggard to those who send him.
27 The fear of the Lord prolongs life,
    but the years of the wicked will be short.
28 The hope of the righteous brings joy,
    but the expectation of the wicked will perish.

We've all known people whose lives are blatantly sinful. They live with no thought of God and ae without hope. Then there are those who "acknowledge" God and laugh off their wickedness They are indeed foolish and revel in it. All of us need the same thing: righteousness. We do not have it on our own. God offers and provides it in Christ. He brings the change we all need. He gives us the desire to do what is right and the hope, joy, and fulfillment we all need and desire. Don't try to laugh off your sin. It will only haunt you.

Ageless Wisdom Is Watching, Cheering Us on...

 

Proverbs 8:
25 Before the mountains had been shaped,
    before the hills, I was brought forth,
26 before he had made the earth with its fields,
    or the first of the dust of the world.
27 When he established the heavens, I was there;
    when he drew a circle on the face of the deep,
28 when he made firm the skies above,
    when he established the fountains of the deep,
29 when he assigned to the sea its limit,
    so that the waters might not transgress his command,
when he marked out the foundations of the earth,
30     then I was beside him, like a master workman,
and I was daily his delight, rejoicing before him always,
31 rejoicing in his inhabited world
    and delighting in the children of man.

As we continue to listen to wisdom personified, we are reminded that she has always been around, watching us from the creation of the world.  She is cheering us on, reminding us of what God has told us and taught us and how much He cares for us.  Wisdom does not keep us from enjoying life; rather she guides us into the abundant life God gave us to enjoy.

It's Deeper than You Think...

 Proverbs 7:24 

And now, O sons, listen to me,
    and be attentive to the words of my mouth.
25 Let not your heart turn aside to her ways;
    do not stray into her paths,
26 for many a victim has she laid low,
    and all her slain are a mighty throng.
27 Her house is the way to Sheol,
    going down to the chambers of death.

As we look at Solomon's call to his sons (and all young men by extension, we find that his warning is more than a physical and emotional one.  A close look at this chapter reveals that this tempting woman of foolishness, who leads one away from wisdom, is also very involved in idol worship, having come from worshipping a pagan god (verse 14). Solomon knew what he was talking about, as we find he himself had been led astray from God through his many wives and concubines from pagan peoples.  It's all wrapped up together.  Satan's attacks are not merely physical and emotional; he is aiming to draw us away from the true and living God. Be on your guard in every situation, relationship, and encounter.

Don't Get Burned!

 Proverbs 6:25 Do not desire her beauty in your heart,
    and do not let her capture you with her eyelashes;
26 for the price of a prostitute is only a loaf of bread,
    but a married woman hunts down a precious life.
27 Can a man carry fire next to his chest
    and his clothes not be burned?
28 Or can one walk on hot coals
    and his feet not be scorched?
29 So is he who goes in to his neighbor's wife;
    none who touches her will go unpunished.

Proverbs is full of practical wisdom for daily life, including relationship advice.  These principles come from the heart of an all-wise God, who gives not only commands, but warnings against breaking those commands.  Such is the case of relationships. It begins with a glance that turns to a stare, then goes deeper into the mind and heart. It is ensnaring. As the old saying goes: "It is playing with fire."  Don't go there. You'll only get burned.  God has made a safe haven for intimacy between husband and wife. Anywhere else and people get hurt.