Proverbs 28:6

The book of Proverbs gives us insights into so many different areas of life. The book gives us instruction on how to live our lives for God. Here is a proverb that gives us insight about riches and integrity: 

Proverbs 28:6 (ESV)

Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity

than a rich man who is crooked in his ways.

Riches can only help in this life and even then they fail to give us assurance. Solomon was a very rich man. He had so much gold he had to use some of it to cover other gold. But in this chapter of Proverbs we read several warnings about the failing and risk of chasing after riches. In verses 6, 11, 19, 20, 21, 22, 25, & 27 we see several warnings about chasing riches and holding them in higher esteem than the poor, hard work and trusting God.  In the above proverb we read that it is "better" to be poor than to have riches and allow them to be used in the wrong manner or earned in the wrong manner.   Integrity trumps money.   In our society today we don't see that.   In this society having money, even obtained under false pretenses, is acceptable.  Athletes with no integrity are honored.   Entertainment heroes are praised, despite life-styles that are absent truth and integrity.   If we have no possessions to speak of but have a life committed to truth and the doing of right, we are in better shape than if we have boat full of money.   Often when leaders are asked to tell their top values they live by, integrity is at the top of every list.   Yet, in truth, people often sell their integrity for a meager amount.   We often see the urge to get more and more by showing less and less integrity. Notice what Solomon said in these other proverbs on integrity: 

Proverbs 2:7 (ESV)

he stores up sound wisdom for the upright;

he is a shield to those who walk in integrity,

Proverbs 10:9 (ESV)

Whoever walks in integrity walks securely,

but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out.

 Proverbs 12:22 (ESV)

Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD,

but those who act faithfully are his delight.

Proverbs 19:1 (ESV)

Better is a poor person who walks in his integrity

than one who is crooked in speech and is a fool.

Proverbs 20:7 (ESV)

The righteous who walks in his integrity—

blessed are his children after him!

Proverbs 21:3 (ESV)

To do righteousness and justice

is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.

God seems to put a lot of value in walking integrity.   So ought we!

Proverbs 27:13

The book of Proverbs gives us insights into so many different areas of life. The book gives us instruction on how to live our lives for God. Here is a proverb that gives us insight about financial advice:

Proverbs 27:13 (ESV)

Take a man's garment when he has put up security for a stranger,

and hold it in pledge when he puts up security for an adulteress.

This proverb is the same as Proverbs 20:16 = 

Proverbs 20:16 (ESV)

Take a man's garment when he has put up security for a stranger,

and hold it in pledge when he puts up security for foreigners.

This unusual proverb gives us some great insight into those who choose to walk on the financial wild side of life.  Taking a risk that is contrary to God's Word should cost you ... personally.   We might miss this harshness of this proverb when we view it from our societal view.  Today we own many "garments."   We have a whole closet full of "garments."  Maybe more than one closet.   So, we might not understand the importance of the phrase, "take his garment."  In Solomon's day a man's garment was limited in number and numerous in use.   You needed the garment you owned for covering, protection against the elements, a carrier of grain, etc.   You typically only had one.  What he is telling us in this proverb is that when you are so foolish to guarantee a loan for a stranger or for someone as non-dependable as an adulterous women, we deserve to have our most secure possessions taken from us.   God, though Solomon’s wisdom, is telling us that we are to be wise in our dealings with those around us.  Giving a “pledge” (committing to covering someone else’s loan) is lacking wisdom.  Much more so when you do so for a stranger and/or someone who lacks integrity and the ability to pay it back (adulterous woman).  Remember, in Proverbs, an adulterous woman is a personification of the fool.   So, the point Solomon is making, is if you want to co-sign for a fool, you might as be willing to give away your most important, prize and secure possession(s).  

Proverbs 26:27

The book of Proverbs gives us insights into so many different areas of life. The book gives us instruction on how to live our lives for God. Here is a proverb that gives us insight about evil having evil returned on them:

Proverbs 26:27 (ESV)
Whoever digs a pit will fall into it,
and a stone will come back on him who starts it rolling.

In this proverb the writer gives us a warning as to what happens when we plot evil toward other people. He uses a word-picture to show the character of the evil: The digging of a pit and the rolling of a stone. I would assume the pit is something we hope someone will fall into and the stone is something we hope to have fall on them. But when we do those things they come back to hurt us (think Wiley Coyote and the Road Runner cartoon). The seriousness of the proverb can’t be mistaken. Those who plot evil, though they may look like they are getting away with it, will soon reap its rewards personally. If you are rolling a stone or digging a pit, beware it is about to get you. If you think someone is digging a pit for you, rejoice … you may soon have to lend them a hand to get out of the pit.  This proverb ought to be a warning to us to not find ourselves on the digging of the pit, or rolling the stone.  What we reap, we sow!  We can be assured that those who commence evil will reap evil.  God will judge and bring all into account.

Proverbs 25:6-7

The book of Proverbs gives us insights into so many different areas of life. The book gives us instruction on how to live our lives for God. Here is a proverb that gives us insight about self-promotion:

Proverbs 25:6-7 (ESV)

Do not put yourself forward in the king’s presence

or stand in the place of the great,

for it is better to be told, “Come up here,”

than to be put lower in the presence of a noble.

What your eyes have seen

Proverbs 25:27

It is not good to eat much honey,

nor is it glorious to seek one's own glory.

Proverbs 27:2

Let another praise you, and not your own mouth;

a stranger, and not your own lips.

Solomon was sought after by kings and rulers and the people he lead.   They all wanted his wisdom and understanding.  They wanted to hear his thoughts.   Rather than allow himself to get into self praise and self promotion, he allowed God to direct him to where he needed to be and to be honored the way God wanted to honor him.   Solomon, because of his wisdom, knew the pitfalls of seeking one's own glory.   Balaam is a great example of a man of God who attempted to seek his own glory, especially for the riches that might be involved.   Elijah's servant, Gehazi, also is a great example of "seeking" one's glory for greed (2 Kings 5:15ff).   God knows our skills and our ability.  He will honor us the way He wishes to honor us.  He will use us the way He wishes to use us.  Self-promotion is a world system.  They tweet, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn to promote their names and skills.  God simply says, let others do that and simply use the skills I give you to accomplish my plan.   God says I will promote you in due time.  Daniel and Joseph are perfect examples of this way of living.   Allow God to uses us and promote us in His way and His timing and His plan.  That is Solomon's life, as well.   It should be ours.  

In these two proverbs Solomon gives the principle he wants us to follow and then, just in case we don't get it, he gives us an illustration of what he means. We are not to seek honor in front of people. Self-promotion is what Solomon has in mind. As a published author I have this challenge everday. I am asked every day by my "Christian" publshing company to hawk my books on the road when I speak. This week I am speaking at a Christian College in Pennsylvania. They have asked if I want to sell my books. The answer is no. Do I want people to buy my books? Yes! Do I have to hawk them to sell them? No! That is the point of these proverbs. Solomon is not saying that honor is bad and that people shouldn't be honored. He is saying that "self-promotion" is evil. It is better for someone to want to sell the books than for me to hawk them. Did I bring books. Yes and I will give away plenty of them. And, if someone else wants them and wants to pay for them, I will sell them. But, I cannot and will not violate this principle of God's Word.

Proverbs 24:5-6

The book of Proverbs gives us insights into so many different areas of life. The book gives us instruction on how to live our lives for God. Here is a proverb that gives us insight about the benefits of wisdom, the theme of Proverbs:

Proverbs 24:5-6 (ESV Strong's)

A wise man is full of strength,

and a man of knowledge enhances his might,

for by wise guidance you can wage your war,

and in abundance of counselors there is victory.

Wisdom brings many benefits to our lives.   In the above proverbs we see that wisdom aides us in our battles.  We see that by wisdom and understanding (synonymous terms in Proverbs) we gain both strength and guidance.   Many go to war on their own strength and in their own wisdom.  But, when we fear God He gives us wisdom that enables us to be strong and wise in our battle.  There is safety in a multitude of counselors.   When we have God’s wisdom we know how important it is to seek out wisdom from others.  We don’t rely on our own instincts and counsel.  That is the difference between those who Fear the Lord and those who don’t.   God speaks to us through the words of others He has given counsel to for us. We do wise to ask them and to hear them.   The benefits of wisdom is  to get counsel on what to do and to have the wisdom and the strength God provides to also carry it out.   Wisdom is the source of knowledge and the source of strength, according to this proverbs.  That is some powerful combination.

Proverbs 23:9

The book of Proverbs gives us insights into so many different areas of life. The book gives us instruction on how to live our lives for God. Here is a proverb that gives us insight about speaking to a fool:

Proverbs 23:9 (ESV)

Do not speak in the hearing of a fool,

for he will despise the good sense of your words.

It is hard to understand how those in Jesus' day did not get what He was saying. They had God in front of them, doing miracles, sacrificing His life and teaching the most divine truth in the best divine way. Christ was the best teacher, yet they were incredibly dull of hearing. So, it is with the unbeliever.  Do not speak in the hearing of a fool for he will depise the wisdom of your words. The unbeliever not only doesn't listen, the unbeliever actually despises your words. I work in the unbelieving world. I walk in their world and they often, reject my words and my counsel. They often despise me and what I say. But then again, I am a sinful man and make hundreds of mistakes. I am flawed and my counsel is flawed. But the unbelieving world will often reject sound counsel as though it is flawed. They don't have an ear for it. They will not only reject it, they will despise it. Don't be alarmed and don't be hurt and don't be embarrassed. They rejected the perfect wisdom from a perfect teacher. They despised Christ. Why should you be any different?  

Proverbs 22:12

The book of Proverbs gives us insights into so many different areas of life. The book gives us instruction on how to live our lives for God. Here is a proverb that gives us insight about wisdom and truth:

Proverbs 22:12

The eyes of the Lord keep watch over knowledge,

but he overthrows the words of the traitor.

Proverbs 22:17-19

Words of the Wise

Incline your ear, and hear the words of the wise,

and apply your heart to my knowledge,

for it will be pleasant if you keep them within you,

if all of them are ready on your lips.

That your trust may be in the Lord,

I have made them known to you today, even to you.

Proverbs 22:20-21

Have I not written for you thirty sayings

of counsel and knowledge,

to make you know what is right and true,

that you may give a true answer to those who sent you?

We live in a society that celebrates and rewards those who seek knowledge and claim to have it.   Going to "college" after high school is "almost" (for some) a natural thought process.  Those who don't consider or don't extend for further education are often, in our society, looked upon as less valuable.   The problem is that knowledge does not belong to man.  As you can see in the above verses, knowledge belongs to God.   God is the keeper of all things "truth."   God disperses it as He will and He lets some know it and, to others, He hides its beauty.   When we seek knowledge from God we can be assured He will deliver it to us .  But it begins by fearing Him.  Those who do not fear Him might "know" things, but they don't "know" what they could if they only feared and reverenced God.   Notice what Solomon wrote earlier in this book of his many proverbs:

Proverbs 9:10

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,

and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.

You can have knowledge of things without God, but you can't have insight.   God gives both knowledge and insight to those who fear Him.  He gives it through His Word.   

God is in the business of watching over truth and protecting the delivery of it. He will go to such an extreme that He will "overthrow" the one who tries to pervert truth for his or her own good. The root word behind the English word, "overthrow" in the above proverb is, "to twist." God will twist the words of the man who attempts to pervert knowledge (truth) to make destruction of them. God is sovereign over the affairs of man and over the words of his/her mouth. God will not allow falseness to be spread throughout the land. God preserves His Word ... the ultimate truth ... over and against the treacherous man who attempts to pervert judgment and sound truth. God "overthrows" those who stand against the Lord and His desire to preserve knowledge. In your arguments and in your fights of words, make sure you preserve knowledge ... God is!

Proverbs 21:3

The book of Proverbs gives us insights into so many different areas of life. The book gives us instruction on how to live our lives for God. Here is a proverb that gives us insight about doing right before doing things:

Proverbs 21:3 (ESV)

To do righteousness and justice

is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.

Making a sacrifice of your time, talent or treasure is a commendable thing. Giving someone your afternoon to help them move, or using your talent to encourage someone or putting money into a charity bucket is always good. But according to Solomon, in the above proverb, that is not what God wants, only. That sacrifice of time, talent and treasure is only the trailer being pulled behind the vehicle of Doing Right and Acting Just. You can’t do the sacrificial things without first doing the right thing and the just thing when called upon. We all think that doing good acts is what God wants. And, He does. But doing good acts must flow out of a heart that is just and right. Don’t get caught up in doing until you are first right with being. It is a lot easier to do right when you first and foremost are right by being IN CHRIST (Romans 5 and 6).   Remember, one of the issues with the nation of Israel was their willingness to go through the motions to do sacrifices:

Isaiah 1:11-14 (ESV)

11 “What to me is the multitude of your sacrifices?

says the LORD;

I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams

and the fat of well-fed beasts;

I do not delight in the blood of bulls,

or of lambs, or of goats.

12 “When you come to appear before me,

who has required of you

this trampling of my courts?

13 Bring no more vain offerings;

incense is an abomination to me.

New moon and Sabbath and the calling of convocations—

I cannot endure iniquity and solemn assembly.

14 Your new moons and your appointed feasts

my soul hates;

they have become a burden to me;

I am weary of bearing them.

God wants our hearts, not our works.   

Proverbs 20:4

The book of Proverbs gives us insights into so many different areas of life. The book gives us instruction on how to live our lives for God. Here is a proverb that gives us insight about the sluggard:

Proverbs 20:4 (NASV)

The sluggard does not plow after the autumn,

So he begs during the harvest and has nothing.

Proverbs 20:4 (NIV)

A sluggard does not plow in season;

so at harvest time he looks but finds nothing.

Proverbs 20:4 (ESV)

The sluggard does not plow in the autumn;

he will seek at harvest and have nothing.

It is not hard to find people who beg.  In communities they stand on corners.  In churches they sit in pews.  In families they make calls to other family members.   They often, if not always, have great stories of why they are in great need.  There stories are believable and, typically, accurate.  But, they are not always complete.  In the above proverb we see Solomon is giving us one possible variable to help us complete their story.  He tells us how those in poverty often got to the place that they are in need.  While others are out working and planting when it is time to work and plant the sluggard is doing nothing.   Remember, Solomon is talking about the “sluggard.”   There are certainly people in need who are NOT sluggards.  This proverbs is not speaking to them.   Solomon must have seen a numerous about of “sluggards” in his day.  He even wrote this:

Proverbs 24:30-34 (ESV)

I passed by the field of a sluggard,

by the vineyard of a man lacking sense,

and behold, it was all overgrown with thorns;

the ground was covered with nettles,

and its stone wall was broken down.

Then I saw and considered it;

I looked and received instruction.

A little sleep, a little slumber,

a little folding of the hands to rest,

and poverty will come upon you like a robber,

and want like an armed man.

As a result their lazy approach to life, the sluggard begs later.    They don't want to do some type of work.  Or, they don't want to do work at a particular time.  Or, they don't want to work at all.  Whatever the reason the sluggard begs in the community, the church and the family.    They find nothing as a result of their work so they are left to beg.   The sluggard would rather play, rest or think.  As long as they don't have to work.  But, they also will beg when everyone else is reaping.

Proverbs 19:6

The book of Proverbs gives us insights into so many different areas of life. The book gives us instruction on how to live our lives for God. Here is a proverb that gives us insight about wealth and friends:

Proverbs 19:6 (ESV)

Many seek the favor of a generous man,

and everyone is a friend to a man who gives gifts.

Rich people have lots of friends. Build a pool and see how many people come over. Buy a boat and see how many people want to go to the lake. Be generous and you'll find someone suddenly hungry and want to go to dinner. When someone is truly generous with others they will have many “others.” Many will seek their "favor." Perhaps this why so many people with money don't act generously? Riches seem to draw others. The power and prestige that comes with riches seems to be attractive to others. Many desire to be rich. And, when you think of it, being rich only matters if others know. Most people want others to know they have money. When you show others that you have wealth you will draw many to you. So, beware of trying to accumulate wealth. You will not only get money you will get many who want to share in it.  The second line in this proverb talks about how people are attracted to free stuff.  They want to know when someone is going to give them a gift.   The proverb is not saying we should not be wealthy.  It is not saying we should not be generous.   What it is saying is that wealth and generosity attracts others.  We need to be aware of that.   We don’t have to stop doing what we do, but we do have to beware of the possibility that others may be coming to us only because we have wealth.  Although the “proverbs” are not written and compiled interrelated as other chapters in the Bible, note what the very next proverb of Solomon states:

Proverbs 19:7 (ESV)

All a poor man's brothers hate him;

how much more do his friends go far from him!

He pursues them with words, but does not have them.

Friends can be fickle!!