Archives of:
Proverbs To Live By
New Proverbs Added Frequently
Do not withhold good from those who deserve it,
when it is in your power to act.
(Proverbs 3:27)
(9/15/03)
This proverb and the one following ("Do not say to your
neighbor come back later, I'll give it to you tomorrow.") govern obligations
to our neighbors and those in need. The Hebrew for "those who deserve it"
is, "it's owners." God considers our obligation to those in
need as real, not merely an option. If you can help, help! The positive
aspect of this maxim is, "he gives twice who gives promptly." Don't put off
doing good until later. Do it now. If someone comes with a need (or you
observe the need) and you can help, do it promptly. And if you owe someone,
don't postpone paying if you have it to pay.
A man's wisdom gives him patience;
it is to his glory to overlook an offense.
(Proverbs 19:11)
(9/10/03)
There
is an overview that wisdom and experience impart that can
give one patience. Patience is not an easy virtue to develop for it requires
a level of tolerance and acceptance of disagreeable people, actions and
circumstances. Wisdom helps us keep people and events in perspective in
light of God's big scheme of things. We know that "this too will pass" and
that in life there are stages, cycles, peaks and valleys--times for joy and
times for tears. Wisdom understands human nature and is neither shocked by
its sinful manifestations nor frustrated by attempts to remake it. Wisdom
accepts that our responsibility is to manage ourselves and deal with others
in kindness--and with their sins and stupidity, cutting them some slack in a
spirit of forgiveness. Don't we want others, including God, to be patient
and forgiving of us?
If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat;
if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.
(Proverbs 25:21)
(8/27/03)This proverb doesn't discuss self-defense, but personal relationships with one who could be called an enemy. Many assume Jesus invented the command to "Love your enemies." He didn't. He preached and practiced the Faith of his father in heaven--the same Faith or Religion taught in the Old Testament. Jesus' father, the creator God, taught his people to "Love your neighbor as yourself..."(Lev 19:18), and Jesus taught the same truth. The God of Israel was not, as commonly portrayed, a hard God of rules, wrath, and of impossible demands; He was and is a God who commands his people love others, including even their enemies. Another proverb states, "Do not say, 'I will repay evil'" (Pr 20:22). Paul quotes these proverbs as guides to Christians on overcoming evil (Ro 12:20). People who treat their enemies with kindness will bring remorse to them and blessing from God.
The
Lord detests the sacrifice of the wicked,
but the prayer of the upright pleases him.
(Proverbs 15:8)
(8/23/03) What you are speaks loudest. The spiritual condition of the worshipper will determine if God accepts his worship. Throughout the Bible sacrifices of wicked folk are rejected because they are insincere and blasphemous. Our regular behavior intensely matters to God. Prayer and sacrifice can be seen as parallels since they are both directed toward God, but the outwardness of sacrifice (various religious acts) allows for its being faked, whereas the private inward act of prayer is not usually fabricated by unbelievers. God's great joy is to hear the prayers of his faithful sons and daughters.
If
you are wise, your wisdom will reward you;
if you are a mocker, you alone will suffer.
(Proverbs 9:12, NIV)
(8/21/03) Perhaps the strongest expression of individualism in the Bible. The ultimate gainer or loser is the man himself. Your character is the one thing you cannot borrow, lend or escape from, for it is you. Wisdom's rewards are many (see 3:13-18; 8:35) as are those of the proud, arrogant and foolish mocker (1:22-32). We can benefit or suffer from the character of others, but it is our own that determines our fate. The beginning of wisdom is the fear of God.
For a man's ways are in full
view of the LORD,
and he examines all his paths.
(Proverbs 5:21)
(8/15/03) No matter how careful we might be to conceal sin, God sees. He also evaluates the direction our life is taking and will hold us accountable for it. We command our life by a continual flow of decisions--some good, some bad--and bear responsibility for where they have brought us. Happily, the God who has a clear view of our habits, is the same God who loves us and invites us to allow Him to direct our paths to a better Way--one which leads Godward, delivering immeasurable benefits.
Even a fool is thought
wise if he keeps silent,
and discerning if he holds his tongue.
(Proverbs 17:28)
(8/18/03) Do you talk too much? Many of us do. Talking much is tolerable if you know what you're talking about and listeners are eager to hear your thoughts. Unfortunately, the loudest and most verbose talkers are often the empty-headed knowing little of their subject and lacking the wisdom to realize it--they are fools. Wisdom says be quiet until you know what you're are talking about and are sure listeners want to hear from you. Even a fool if he keeps his mouth shut can be misunderstood to be profound--better for him and those in his company. An old Norse saying is a close parallel: "An unwise man when he comes among the people had best be silent; no one knows that he nothing knows unless he talks too much."