Proverbs 10:4

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 work ethic:

Proverbs 10:4 (ESV)

A slack hand causes poverty,

but the hand of the diligent makes rich.

Isn't it amazing how many people complain that life hasn't given them what they deserve!   They sit around and complain and groan and find fault with the system and with "the man".   They envy the wealthy and believe the wealthy were given their wealth and don't deserve it.  It would be probable that they are often right with their assessment of wealth.  However, this proverb tells us that poverty and wealth are not always a problem with the system.   Whereas the system may be wrong and broken, it is not the system that always leads to the distribution of wealth.   There are some who sit around and complain and have nothing because all they do is sit around and complain and do nothing.   They neglect doing work with their "hands" and find they have nothing as a result.   It is equally true that those who have wealth also have a "diligent" hand.   Diligence produces wealth while negligence produces poverty.   The next time you want to fight "the man" and think the rich should be asked to "sacrifice" for the common good, ask yourself if the "negligent" should be rewarded by the hands of the "diligent"?   That is not what God teaches in this proverb.  The system certainly needs to be upgraded, or even dismantled.  But, whatever replaces it can’t be something that rewards the negligence of some by the diligent hand of others.  That is not God’s way.  Work ethic matters to God.  

Proverbs 9:7-8

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 scoffers:

Proverbs 9:7-8 (ESV)

Whoever corrects a scoffer gets himself abuse,

and he who reproves a wicked man incurs injury.

Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you;

reprove a wise man, and he will love you.

When you work with, lead or are in a position where you have to have a relationship with a scoffer, you are in a hard spot.   Scoffing in our society is often defined as an act of jeering or mocking something.   And, even though the Old Testament uses a similar meaning Solomon carries an additional aspect of the scoffer's life in that he/she is often tied to the rejection of wisdom, sound advice, or correct counsel.   The scoffer DOES mock and jeer, but the reason they mock or jeer is because they reject the truth being spoken.   Scoffers are like fools in that they reject truth, but the scoffer is the outward, verbal or aggressor of this rejection.    The scoffer has passed the point of the fool and is certainly far more advanced than the naive one.   The scoffer not only can't handle the truth and doesn't like the truth, they want to attack and ridicule the truth, thinking that promotes them.  In the above two proverbs the scoffer is seen as a the one who attacks the one correcting him and actually brings dishonor on the person speaking the truth.  You WON'T win an argument with a scoffer.   He will hate you in the end.   In contrast, a wise man looks for and desires correction.    You can tell if you are talking to a wise man or scoffer by how they handle correction.   You will walk away with honor or dishonor depending on the person you are talking to, not the truth you are talking.   Odd, but true.

Every day we come across those who make fun of God or of Christ's resurrection or of belief in general. They "scoff" at God's sovereign rule as though they are in charge and have their own destiny in their hand. It is not humorous but we might see how funny it is when they are faced with death or pain or suffering or troubles. The same people who scoff at God's rule and believe they are "in charge" have no hope when things turn tough. The typically blame others ... still not taking personal responsibility for anything. Our temptation is to correct them; to bring them to the knowledge of the truth. But, Solomon, probably surrounded by his own lot of scoffers, warns us that if we try to correct one we will in turn become someone we don't want to be. Dishonor and insults are in line for those who try to correct a scoffer. Solomon gives very little hope to correct a scoffer. Don't expect them to change if you try ... rather it will come back upon you.

Proverbs 8:3

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 wisdom’s availability:

Proverbs 8:3 (ESV)

beside the gates in front of the town,

at the entrance of the portals she cries aloud:

Wisdom is accessible.    That is the point being made in the above proverb.    Proverbs is about wisdom and the difference between wisdom and folly.   Chapter eight of Proverbs is about wisdom crying out to every person.  In the above passage we see that it is “besides the gates, in front of the town.”  Solomon wants us to know that wisdom is not hiding. It is openly available to all who seek it.  James echos Solomon’s words about how God makes wisdom available:

James 1:5-6 (ESV)

5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.

Solomon said it earlier in Proverbs this way:

Proverbs 2:3-6 (ESV)

yes, if you call out for insight

and raise your voice for understanding,

if you seek it like silver

and search for it as for hidden treasures,

then you will understand the fear of the LORD

and find the knowledge of God.

For the LORD gives wisdom;

from his mouth come knowledge and understanding;

God makes wisdom available.  But, the world rejects God’s wisdom:

1 Corinthians 1:20-21 (ESV)

Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe.

God wants to give us wisdom. It is available to all who seek it by faith.

Proverbs 7:20

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 temptation:

Proverbs 7:20 (ESV)

he took a bag of money with him;

at full moon he will come home.”

The world thinks that it can predict disasters to the extent that they believe their meager predictions can allow them preparation.  The above proverb really can't be studied alone, as it is connected with both the chapter and the proceeding proverb.  In chapter seven Solomon is using a narrative about a naive boy who is being seduced by a adulterous women.   The women has trapped the boy in the house and, to make sure the young man doesn't panic, tells the young man that her husband has gone on a journey so the naive one has nothing to worry about.  He has nothing to worry about until the full moon, that is!!   The women (who is a picture of folly in all of our lives) is telling the young man that he has freedom to do his own will until a certain date.  Folly always wants to assure us that we will be fine for this period of our activity.  It is not that folly is avoiding that danger is there and present.  Folly doesn't want to lie she only wants to deceive.   Folly will say we are safe for now ... we should take advantage while we can.  We should engage in this “adulterous” behavior before our spouse comes home, our parents return, our boss stops by, the pastor comes over, etc.  By creating this sense of danger it only heightens the emotion and the senses.  Folly wants us to have a sense of danger, but without allowing us to really see the danger.   The unbelieving world wants to predict danger and then live like hell until the danger comes closer.   This is a "here and now" mindset, rather than a mindset that looks to the future and sees that present circumstances can have future consequences.   Folly would have us live "in the moment" rather than "consider the cost."   Wisdom says to look at future issues and consider the costs.  Pharaoh had plenty of warnings but still never thought the end would come.   Prior to the flood, Noah preached repentance.   They just never thought it would rain.   Don't think the same way.  Don’t think you are safe just because folly tells you "he (judgment day) has taken the bag of money and will come home on the full moon.”  Don’t think you are safe.   You are not!!  Choose Wisdom and prepare.

Proverbs 6:20

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 listening to good counsel:

Proverbs 6:20 (ESV)

My son, keep your father’s commandment,

and forsake not your mother’s teaching.

How many times has your dad told you something that went in one ear and out the other? Probably many. Dads tend to say things that children don’t always listen and attend to. The above proverb is an instruction to us to listen to our fathers. If we want to follow scripture there are actually some promises that are tied to this type of instruction. We tend to dismiss the things our father tells us until we actually become fathers ourselves. The older children become the smarter their dads are remembered. But by that time, it may be too late. This proverb by Solomon is very clear. It doesn’t say, keep your father’s commands when you think they are okay. Or, keep them when you get older and you see that they were pretty wise. No, to be correct, we are to keep them now.  Solomon uses the phrase, "My son," throughout Proverbs.   He is speaking to his actual sons; the sons of Israel; the sons of Abraham; the sons of God.   Following the leadership and teaching of our "proverbial" fathers is important to the transmission and furtherance of God's Word.   When we ignore the teaching of the "father" in God's Word (no matter who that is), we reject God's Word.  He adds, in the second line, not to forsake the teaching of our “mothers,” as well.  The clear message here is that parents are sent by God to provide clear and wise teaching for children.   Of course, not all parents give their children wise teaching.   Some are too busy to do that.  Some are to unwise to do that.  Some are too evil to do that.   Some have no capacity to do that.   Some parents also teach things children should not regard.  This situation creates a challenging dilemma for children.    When parents give counsel contrary to God’s Word, that can cause a confusion in the hearts and minds of children.   The above proverb is presupposing that the parents are giving Biblically wise counsel to the children.    When that happens, God’s plan is successful.  

Proverbs 5:8

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 avoiding temptation:

Proverbs 5:8 (ESV)

Keep your way far from her,

and do not go near the door of her house,

In the first chapters of Proverbs the "adulterous" is a picture of folly and foolishness. However, it is also a a real warning about the sin and dangers of adultery. The warning we have here is to stay away from any thing that may attempt to compromise your values. It is a warning to stay away from something that will take you away from Wisdom (Christ). We don't really think in the way this verse speaks. In our society, today, most believers, and certainly unbelievers, try to get as close as they can to sin. We actually try to play with it and we try to mix with it. But Solomon's warning is to stay away from sin. Sin is to be avoided. We are to not even go near its door. Keep away from her and her house. So, we are to stay away from the person and the passage (the thing that carries or stores the sin or portrays sin.). The above proverb is Solomon’s directive in the midst of the adulterous temptation.   Notice that he leaves no room for compromise. He does not want us to explore it.  He does not want us to investigate it.   He does not want us ignore it.  He wants us to keep “far from her.”  We are not even supposed to go “near” her door.   Staying away from her house is the only way to avoid sin’s charms ... personified by the picture of adultery.   Staying close to sin will hurt you.  Being far from sin will keep your way safe.  That is Solomon’s message.  One way to do this is to “guard” the “entrances” for sin.  Sin likes to enter via our eye-gate, our ear-gate, our mind-gate.   Jesus told the disciples that if their “eye” offended them to “pluck it out:”

Matthew 5:29 (ESV)

If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell.

We are not to play close to sin.  We are to stand guard over the entrances of our lives and make sure sin cannot sneak into our lives and bring certain destruction.  

Proverbs 4:4

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 remembering what we learned:

Proverbs 4:3 (ESV)

When I was a son with my father,

tender, the only one in the sight of my mother,

Children ought to be tender in our sight. In this proverb Solomon is going back to his youth. He remembers the time when his father, David, king of Israel, would sit him on his lap and give him instructions. He is recalling how precious he was to his mother, Bathsheba. It must've been a great memory to him, and it must've been the basis for the teaching and studies he is providing us. Yet, if you look at his history you will note that not everything in his past was what it should've been. His mother, Bathsheba, is the one who had an affair with King David.  To be honest toward Bathsheba, it was probably David that forced her into the relationship. But nevertheless, many in Israel, at the time, may not have seen Bathsheba and therefore Solomon, in the same light as we do today. Solomon was a child born after David had Bathsheba’s husband killed and after the child born out of that affair had died in infancy.  Solomon's mother may have had some real issues in her life as a result of her past with King David. She had baggage. Yet Solomon only recalls the tenderness of his youth. He only recalls how special he was to his mother and to his father. All of us have baggage, or, so the saying goes. It is so important that we don't transfer that baggage to our children. The memories that our children have, as they grow up, ought to be like that of Solomon.  Solomon knew just enough about his mother and father's past to weave it carefully and comfortably into his teaching. (We should note that throughout the book of Proverbs, Solomon uses adultery as a metaphor for folly vs wisdom.  Ironic he would do that, have come about from the adultery of David and Bathsheba.) 

Solomon didn't grow up having to live their past: To be burdened with it. Let's make sure that our children grow up with a tender past and not anchored by those events that we regret and must bare as a burden. Our past should not complicate our children's present lives. It should propel them like it did Solomon; to become great teachers of the lessons we can give them through the past pain and suffering. We should not ignore the past!  But we can pass on to our children the things that we have learned and experienced so that those truths might be the bedrock of their own future.  King David and Queen Bathsheba learned valuable lessons during those times. They made sure that Solomon learned them in a tender way that he might pass them onto us in an inspiring way.

Proverbs 3:5

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 trusting our own ideas and thoughts about things:

Proverbs 3:5 (ESV)

Trust in the LORD with all your heart,

and do not lean on your own understanding.

We all think we know so much about so much. That "knowledge" causes us to attempt to "figure" things out on our own. We think we know the best path to take for careers. We believe we know the best person to marry. We consult "specialist" when it comes to investments. We simply believe we know the best way to the right thing ... for us. Yet, in the above proverb Solomon gives us some sound truth we are to follow. When he says to trust the Lord with all our our heart he doesn't mean with just the "spiritual" aspects of our heart. Solomon is telling us that true wisdom is the type that seeks God's will and God's ways in "all" things. The second line in this proverb stands in stark contrast to the first. We either lean on God for discernment about life or we lean on our own thoughts. There is no middle ground. There is no middle area. We are to trust God fully and lean on Him for discernment and for seeking direction. God knows all things. He knows the way we are to go. He knows who is best to marry. He knows what to invest in. He knows, we don't. Would we seek a surgeon to operate on us who never went to medical school? Then why would seek our own mind on things when God has the knowledge and truth. Seek His understanding and truth ... not our own.

Proverbs 2:3

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 seeking insight and understanding: 

Proverbs 2:3 (ESV)

yes, if you call out for insight

and raise your voice for understanding,

It is interesting that Solomon gives us the formula for wisdom and understanding and includes an attitude of desire. In this proverb he tells us we can have wisdom, but we do have to desire it. He wants us to "cry for" insight and "lift our voice" for understanding. This indicates an active rather than passive approach. James tells us we can have wisdom if we ask for it (James 1).  Daniel asked for wisdom from God, received it and was seen as having much more wisdom than any of his counterparts in the world (Daniel 1). Perhaps the most interesting thing in Scripture about this concept, however, is that, without God's movement in our lives, no one would cry out for God's wisdom, discernment or understanding. God must be the initiator. Only believers, indwelled with the Spirit can "cry out" for insight. That is what Paul writes repeatedly in Romans and 1 Corinthians. God has provided the Wisdom of God through the indwelling Christ through the ministry of the Spirit (1 Corinthians 1). Because of that, believers have their desires changed and can cry out for the fullness of Christ ... which is synonymous with having insight and understanding. God fills us with the mind of Christ which is discernment and understanding. What do we cry out for? Do we cry for material things? Do we cry of safety and security? Do we cry for the fullness of Christ which manifests itself as wisdom, discernment and understanding? Cry out today!!

Proverbs 1:11

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 protecting the weak;

Proverbs 1:11 (NASV)

If they say, “Come with us,

Let us lie in wait for blood,

Let us ambush the innocent without cause;

Proverbs 1:11 (NIV)

If they say, “Come along with us;

let’s lie in wait for someone’s blood,

let’s waylay some harmless soul;

Proverbs 1:11 (ESV)

If they say, “Come with us, let us lie in wait for blood;

let us ambush the innocent without reason;

The bully in life is always looking for ways to hurt the innocent or weak.   It is amazing how much God's Word tells us about the weak and our treatment of them.   What we have in this proverb is Solomon's summary of the evilness of man as they view the weaker men around them.   God tells us to protect those who are innocent and weak.   The world's view is to take advantage of the weak.  You say, "No way!"   Just look at standard business practice.  If a business is weak the competition jumps in to take advantage.   It happens in sports, in families, in churches, as well.   Solomon warns us not to get caught up in that type of attitude.   You may think that this proverb seems more harsh than that, but the spirit of those who are about to attack the "innocent" is the same.   The person has done nothing to you and you are simply gong to lie in wait to hurt them for no reason, other than your advantage.  The world wants us to accept and practice their view.  They cry out to us to join them in their view.   They want us to develop the same philosophy of domination over the weak.   We need to realize the importance God puts on the protecting and helping the weak.   When we respond by faith in the way we treat others we have a way for God to bless us.   God wants us to follow His world view and not man's world view.   When they shout, "Come with us ...", don't respond.  Rather, act in faith to His Word.

Proverbs 31:13

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 an industrious woman:

Proverbs 31:13 (ESV)

She seeks wool and flax,

and works with willing hands.

In our society today the value of a woman is measured in some ungodly and unhealthy ways.    There is, of course, an extreme amount of emphasis placed on the female body and the outward beauty of the women.   The dollars spent, alone, on appearance and sexuality are staggering.   Little is placed on the intelligence of women today.  In fact, in most circles, the smarter the female the less influence she can have.  If she demonstrates her depth of knowledge she can enter the pool of influence, but often limited to only the shallow end of the waters.   There is even less emphasis placed on the industrialness of the women.   What she can do with her hands is often relegated to a lesser area of life.   Solomon, on the other end, seems to relish the women of industry.   She is rewarded for the work of her hands AND the work of her mind.   Notice in our proverb, above, that she is said to "look" for the wool and the flax and then looks to work it with her hands.   She uses her mind to find the wool; she uses her industrious skills to work it and she incorporates a great attitude of will and skill to do so with delight.   The example she sets for us in regard to virtue is amazing.   God has given her a mind, a heart and a will to accomplish much for God's kingdom.  It is does not appear to be a spiritual act, but it is for us.   We can see what God values.   God equips her and she uses that equipment to honor and glorify God, because that is what He values.  Whatever He values we should value.

Proverbs 30:32-33

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 exalting:

Proverbs 30:32-33 (ESV)

If you have been foolish, exalting yourself,

or if you have been devising evil,

put your hand on your mouth.

For pressing milk produces curds,

pressing the nose produces blood,

and pressing anger produces strife.

Pride, arrogance and evil imagination are works of foolishness.  They begin in the heart of evil men and result in difficulty. All men are evil in their hearts. If no work is done in their lives to correct and redeem this evilness, it will burst forth. If, we have exalted ourselves or if we have evil thoughts, we should quickly cover our mouth, as to stop the arrogance before it spreads and to prevent the evilness before it breaks out. Foolishness portrays itself in many different ways. Many of the ways evilness shows itself are compounded by the tongue. The mouth is the gateway for the evil heart. Listen to the mouth and the heart will be made known. Close the mouth and slow the heart from proclaiming and, perhaps, practicing its evil.  For further reading look at Mark 7:14-23

Mark 7:14-23

And he called the people to him again and said to them, “Hear me, all of you, and understand: There is nothing outside a person that by going into him can defile him, but the things that come out of a person are what defile him.” And when he had entered the house and left the people, his disciples asked him about the parable. And he said to them, “Then are you also without understanding? Do you not see that whatever goes into a person from outside cannot defile him, since it enters not his heart but his stomach, and is expelled?” (Thus he declared all foods clean.) And he said, “What comes out of a person is what defiles him. For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.”

The mouth reveals the heart. If the mouth hurts others it comes from a heart full of hate.   You only have to be around a person for a short time and their lips will reveal their life.  

Proverbs 29:2

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 leadership in government:

Proverbs 29:2 (ESV)

When the righteous increase, the people rejoice,

but when the wicked rule, the people groan.

 It seems appropriate, in light of what happens in our world in regard to politics and leadership, that we look deeper into this proverb. As much as "politics" reject the "Religious Right,” this proverbs is actually played out time and time again in many organizations and business entities across our nation. When righteous people rule there is prosperity that last and the members of those organization and business ventures "rejoice." However, when a wicked person is ruling there may be "profit" but it is at the cost of people. Their groans are heard from Wall Street to Main Street. Solomon's words here were written well before our countries two-party system. He is not concerned with political affiliations as much as deity relations. He knows that a person who loves God and is ruling to glorify God will produce an environment that people can find many things to rejoice about. I do not believe that every person who claims to be on the religious right is righteous. I don’t believe everyone on the “left” is void of faith.   But, I do believe to be right with God is to be righteous and that will always benefit the followers if that is the leaders creed and governance. It will not matter your party affiliation.   You can be any party you want if you want to lead in righteousness.   

Proverbs 28:11

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 wealthy: 

Proverbs 28:11 (ESV)

A rich man is wise in his own eyes,

but a poor man who has understanding will find him out.

Money can distort a man's vision.   It can make them "think" they are wiser than they really are.   People love to run to rich men to ask them for advice.   The assumption is that if they have money they also must have wisdom.   The contrast is also assumed: If we don't have money we are not successful and, therefore, not worthy to ask for wisdom.    But, God's wisdom is not the same as man's logic.   Man's logic fails in the face of Godly truth.   God states that a poor man with discernment can see right through the rich man's facade.  Like the Wizard of Oz  the poor man sees them standing behind the curtain.   The Fear of The Lord produces wisdom and discernment.   The Fear of Money (respect for it and desire for it) produces a false sense of security both in the one who has it and the one who doesn't have it.  Men will constantly look to the rich for their wisdom.   The poor, who have nothing and have come to the point where they realize it, are given Wisdom and Discernment.   It is better to be poor with discernment than wealthy with false wisdom.