Proverbs Chapter 19
1 Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.
2 Also, that the soul be without knowledge, it is not good; and he that hasteth with his feet sinneth.
3 The foolishness of man perverteth his way: and his heart fretteth against the LORD.
4 Wealth maketh many friends; but the poor is separated from his neighbour.
5 A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape.
6 Many will entreat the favour of the prince: and every man is a friend to him that giveth gifts.
7 All the brethren of the poor do hate him: how much more do his friends go far from him? he pursueth them with words, yet they are wanting to him.
8 He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul: he that keepeth understanding shall find good.
9 A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall perish.
10 Delight is not seemly for a fool; much less for a servant to have rule over princes.
11 The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.
12 The king's wrath is as the roaring of a lion; but his favour is as dew upon the grass.
13 A foolish son is the calamity of his father: and the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping.
14 House and riches are the inheritance of fathers: and a prudent wife is from the LORD.
15 Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger.
16 He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his own soul; but he that despiseth his ways shall die.
17 He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.
18 Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying.
19 A man of great wrath shall suffer punishment: for if thou deliver him, yet thou must do it again.
20 Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.
21 There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.
22 The desire of a man is his kindness: and a poor man is better than a liar.
23 The fear of the LORD tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil.
24 A slothful man hideth his hand in his bosom, and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.
25 Smite a scorner, and the simple will beware: and reprove one that hath understanding, and he will understand knowledge.
26 He that wasteth his father, and chaseth away his mother, is a son that causeth shame, and bringeth reproach.
27 Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge.
28 An ungodly witness scorneth judgment: and the mouth of the wicked devoureth iniquity.
29 Judgments are prepared for scorners, and stripes for the back of fools.
Chapter 19 of the Book of Proverbs continues with what the 'Open Bible' labels as moral, ethical, and spiritual precepts. I was immediately drawn to verse 23... "The fear of the Lord tendeth (leads) to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil". Those are two invaluable (priceless) promises.
Do you live your life 'satisfied'?
I grew up with a singer that got famous singing about "no satisfaction" (can't get no...). Did you ever wonder why so many seemingly successful entertainers can't seem to cope with the fame and fortune? They seem to have everything! Why aren't they satisfied with life?
It's because of what we've been talking about in these studies.
We aren't just physical beings with a soul. We are first Spirit. We are made in the image of God... Spirit, Soul, and Body. With one part non-functional we are not complete. You won't be able to 'abide satisfied'. It's our spirit that has to be 'born again'. When we acknowledge that Christ Jesus died for our sins according to the scripture and we accept His sacrifice by Him taking our sins on the cross. Our spirits are no longer 'dead in sin' but alive again. Then as we learn "the fear of the Lord" we are led into life and abide satisfied. It's a progression as we see in these proverbs. There are a lot of choices we have to make and actions we have to do; but we are now 'free' to choose. What we have to do is found in verse 20... "Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end". The Christian experience should be one of continual growth.
My Christian experience started at the age of 31. My only regret was I wish it would have been sooner. I could have applied verse 20 a lot sooner. Don't you want to be wise in your latter end? How many people already approaching their 'latter end' have NO wisdom of God? May the Lord send laborers into His harvest field. Maybe just point a friend to this site to start a conversation. Let's grow together...
See you tomorrow, Pastor Herb