Good Sunday Morning to everyone who faithfully reads this blog and to those who might be checking it for the first time. We have been involved in studying Proverbs, one chapter each day. Chapters 10-22 draw many comparisons between right and wrong and the results that follow each one. As we continue to read in chapters 11 just take 1, 2 or maybe 3 verses or a theme that "jumps" out at you as you read today.
There are several verses on "money" or "wealth" that really struck me.
vs 4 Having riches verses living right - being rich won't help you on the day of judgment but right living will keep you from death
vs 18 If you want riches that last - be godly, not evil!
vs 25 Be generous if you want to prosper and refresh others in order to be refreshed yourself. That's good - if you are tired, go out and do something for someone else!!
vs 28 If you want to go down the tubes - trust your money! Being godly will have your flourishing like Spring!! In other words - don't put all you stock in whether you have money or not. It's living for god that brings a freshness to your life.
I believe verses like these and others will mean more and more to us during this time in our country when we are putting so much emphasis on what we don't have! No where in the Bible does it say you have to be rich to be happy, in fact, it is just the opposite. It's not that we can't be wealthy but it's where we put our trust and what we do with the money God gives us. His plan is for us to give and have a spirit of generosity and not worry about our money. We are rich if we have Him because He owns everything!!! There are no limits in God's economy!! If He wants you to have it, He will open the doors for it to belong to you. Just keep your hands open and not closed and they will be filled!!!
2 comments:
Those verses on wealth are good. One of them stuck out to me---vs. 24--"there is one who withholds more than is right." That verse alone is convicting. This sounds like a person who gives, but doesn't give it all. It all belongs to God....our whole life. We don't just surrender bits and pieces to him...that is withholding more than is right. When we come to Him, we give 100% of our life, not 40 or 60% or something. And, He asked so little of us when it comes to our finances that the small 10% is really hardly anything, but he blesses our obedience in it even though it is just giving back to Him what is already belonging to Him. God is so good and a faithful father..
A couple of others that stuck out are just regarding character issues.
v13-"A talebearer reveals secrets, but he who of a faithful spirit conceals a matter." This is just plain wisdom to be a person of integrity. I have been on the receiving end of a talebearer (and it is hurtful), and I've also said more than I should at times. Wisdom is to conceal a matter...I want to be a faithful spirit! When someone confides in us, keep it confidential. Be someone that is trustworthy.
v. 16--"A gracious woman retains honor."--That speaks for itself. Being gracious with people helps us retain our honor or dignity as women. Very practical.
v. 22-"As a ring of gold in a swine's snout, so is a lovely woman who lacks discretion."--Beauty doesn't make up for a lack of discretion. Beauty really is cultivated from the inside out, and discretion is one of those terms that is used over and over again in proverbs to describe a wise woman. Discretion is kind of like the way we handle ourselves and how wisdom can be delivered. How we say it, our attitude, how we speak of others, our body languages. I know I can improve on all those areas! But, learning discretion is part of cultivating our inner beauty too.
One of my all time favorites (and one of Paul Stern's favorites) is verse 30--The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise. Let's win souls, get new converts, witness, testify of the great things God has done for us. It says here that we will be wise! I like that! God is so good. Our commission is already to win souls, and the Lord is already providing a reward of wisdom among other things.
I have trouble finding time to blog a lot of days, but I'm reading with you! I loved the comment or post the other day that suggested memorizing a verse out of each chapter. What a great idea. That would be a fun thing to do with my kids. And good for us both. =) I bought myself a new Bible this year just because I want to read through it with new perspective. Okay, it also had a little to do with the fact that the old was was literally falling apart. But I love how it translates some things in a fresh way for my tired brain. Verse 16 says "A gracious woman gains respect." That verse alone was enough for me today. I think that all those verses about watching our tongues and idol chattet and gossip can be summed up sometimes with just learning to be gracious toward others. I love that! Lord, help me to walk that out every day and be that gracious woman.
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