Proverbs 28:27 "He who gives to the poor will lack nothing, but he who closes his eyes to them receives many curses."
A wicked man flees though no one is pursuing. Yeah, I guess if you commit a crime or sin, you probably are watching your back, and guilt hangs heavy, causing you to think everyone knows, or everyone is watching. Not a fun feeling. You just want to turn yourself in to stop going crazy. Verse 17, also.
Verse 6 emphasizes again how important blamelessness is over wealth.
Why would concealing sin lead to a lack of prosperity? Confession and renunciation of these sins lead to mercy. Is mercy to be equated with prosperity? When I think of prosperity, I think of financial wealth, not necessarily mercy. How could I not count mercy among riches?
I've considered playing the lottery, but I don't want to hassle with it. I don't know how to pick numbers or whatever, and I don't know how to find out if I won. That seems to be chasing fantasies. If my hope is winning a fortune by chance, of course I'll be in poverty. If I work hard, I'll be fine.
Sometimes I withhold rebuke in order to keep the peace. I shouldn't do that. Sometimes I pull out the ol' flattering tongue anyway. Why would I do that? If I know what's right, why not rebuke a wise man in the things that matter?
I've struggled with this idea of giving to the poor. Of course my heart breaks for the people I ride by on my bike in the morning, sleeping in doorways on Grand Rapids' streets. A lot of them want like 50 cents or whatever. I rarely carry change, so I can't give them anything. Do I write a check to charity and hope they take care of them? Or do I bring them into my home? Two extremes, I think. I have much to give.
Showing posts with label money. Show all posts
Showing posts with label money. Show all posts
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Saturday, August 01, 2009
Pr. 13: Proverbs for Living
Proverbs 13:6 "Righteousness guards the man of integrity, but wickedness overthrows the sinner. "
So if you don't go running your mouth like an idiot, people will be less intent on killing you. (v. 3)
Along with great wealth comes the chance you'll be kidnapped for ransom. Is this a warning that there may be unintended consequences for the things we dream of? (v. 8)
Pride is incongruous with unity. (v. 10)
A man is more apt to take care of the money he earns honestly than dishonestly. (v. 11)
Verse 12 is like this. "Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life. "
Don't stop hoping, your heart will thank you. You have to know things will get better. Longings can't be fulfilled if you don't have them. (See v. 19)
It is good to leave an inheritance. Who can take it with him? (v. 22) The sinner's wealth is stored up for the righteous? Someone will get a sinner's wealth, and it's not ultimately that sinner.
Verse 23 is heartbreaking, a poor man's field may produce abundant wealth, but injustice sweeps it away? Is this wealth too sudden, and therefore unmanageable? Is sudden wealth swindled away?
I imagine it may be hard to swat your kid when they do something bad, brainless or rude, but discipline is born out of love. If you hate your kid, you'll let them run amok. (v. 24)
So if you don't go running your mouth like an idiot, people will be less intent on killing you. (v. 3)
Along with great wealth comes the chance you'll be kidnapped for ransom. Is this a warning that there may be unintended consequences for the things we dream of? (v. 8)
Pride is incongruous with unity. (v. 10)
A man is more apt to take care of the money he earns honestly than dishonestly. (v. 11)
Verse 12 is like this. "Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life. "
Don't stop hoping, your heart will thank you. You have to know things will get better. Longings can't be fulfilled if you don't have them. (See v. 19)
It is good to leave an inheritance. Who can take it with him? (v. 22) The sinner's wealth is stored up for the righteous? Someone will get a sinner's wealth, and it's not ultimately that sinner.
Verse 23 is heartbreaking, a poor man's field may produce abundant wealth, but injustice sweeps it away? Is this wealth too sudden, and therefore unmanageable? Is sudden wealth swindled away?
I imagine it may be hard to swat your kid when they do something bad, brainless or rude, but discipline is born out of love. If you hate your kid, you'll let them run amok. (v. 24)
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Pr. 11: Proverbs for Living
Proverbs 11:21 "Be sure of this: The wicked will not go unpunished, but those who are righteous will go free."
As I read through the 11th chapter of Proverbs, I was wondering what, if anything, ties this list of sayings together. And there really isn't a common thread. What does seem to bind them together as a whole is that there are clearly consequences for evil, and conversely, consequences for righteousness.
Descriptors of what happens to evil folk is that they are brought down by their own wickedness. God abhors them. They are deceptive and unfair, "earning" dishonest wages. Their hope ends in wrath. Just, you get the point. There is no hope in living among and like the wicked. They will not go unpunished.
Theres also quite a bit about generosity. In giving, the righteous man invites riches, while the stingy, greedy types have only their money and perish.
As I read through the 11th chapter of Proverbs, I was wondering what, if anything, ties this list of sayings together. And there really isn't a common thread. What does seem to bind them together as a whole is that there are clearly consequences for evil, and conversely, consequences for righteousness.
Descriptors of what happens to evil folk is that they are brought down by their own wickedness. God abhors them. They are deceptive and unfair, "earning" dishonest wages. Their hope ends in wrath. Just, you get the point. There is no hope in living among and like the wicked. They will not go unpunished.
Theres also quite a bit about generosity. In giving, the righteous man invites riches, while the stingy, greedy types have only their money and perish.
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