Consider the implications of verse 15: “It’s a dangerous thing to guarantee payment for someone’s debts. Don’t do it.”
Guaranteeing payment would include practices such as co-signing a loan for someone else. If the person defaults on the loan, you are responsible for paying it off. It’s risky business.
Read More risk, wisdomThe world has its own proverb: Nice guys finish last.
Let’s face it, we’ve all seen mean-spirited and/or deceptive people make it to the top. We’ve all seen nice guys (or gals) finishing last. That’s where the proverb came from.
We want Solomon’s proverbs to be true—that meanness gets you nowhere (v 18) and that all crooks (or “bad people”) are punished (v. 21).
Read More judging, rewardThere’s a rumor going around. It goes something like this: God will help you get rich, if you are generous. You have to be incredibly generous, and it will pay off. Verses like those in Proverbs 11:24-28 say so.
Maybe you’ve heard this rumor. The trouble is it doesn’t square with the gospel.
Read More wealth, rewardAs children of God, we are people of hope.
We believe the God who created the universe has actually changed us when we accept Christ into our hearts, and that means we have the power to make good choices.
Using this example from Proverbs, we are no longer free to cause trouble or to be mean and cruel.
Read More sin, hope, choices“To accept correction is wise, to reject it is stupid” (v 1). Did that first sentence cause you to pause? We may agree with it . . . but usually as far as it concerns other people, right? I don’t know about you, but I have yet to meet anyone who likes to be told they’re wrong, particularly about moral issues. Think back: how have you taken correction in the past?
Read More correctionHere’s a strange thought. Imagine if Solomon could see just a few minutes’ worth of television commercials. Okay, it would blow his mind, but once he got past that, I wonder if he would key in on a theme that runs deeply through our consumer culture.
In today’s verses, he’s warning against envy and dissatisfaction.
Read More dissatisfaction, envyLying vs telling the truth. Talking more than listening. Speaking hurtful words instead of healing words.
There’s a lot going on in this passage, but it all relates to our speech. Words matter, Solomon tells us, and so much so that “we are rewarded or punished for what we say and do” (v 14).
Maybe lying is your problem. It comes naturally to some, especially for those who don’t like confrontations.
Read More heart, lyingScripture says the Lord considers us to be His friends, but friendship goes both ways. How do we hold up our end of the friendship? I mean, He’s given us so much. Eternally. Daily. Think of all the prayers He has answered for you. Have you ever wanted to give back and be a friend to him (v 22)?
Of course, our efforts would be small, just like those of a human child to please their parents; however, those heart-felt gifts are very valuable.
Read More friendship, trustworthinessWe know we are to honor our mothers and fathers (refer to the 10 commandments in Exodus 20). That’s non-negotiable, but what if the advice our parents gave wasn’t always good?
Some people who grew up in non-Christians homes really wrestle with this. But it may also be a concern for some who grew up in Christian homes where the parents struggled in their walk with Jesus.
Read More wisdom, honor parentsIf you’ve been following along with the reflections on Proverbs, this passage is going to seem familiar. It cautions against sins such as deceit, pretense and even pride.
In fact, proverb after proverb sounds so similar. Solomon is saying repeatedly, using strong language and various examples, that there are only two choices in life: good and evil, God’s way or Satan’s way. If something is not good, it is evil.
Read More grace, wisdom, good choices, evil choices