July 30, 2015

Throughout this whole chapter Solomon is laying out what life is like for the wise ones and the fools.  So many of these verses can be related to our lives now and what we see going on in our day and age.  Talking about money, work ethics, conversing with others, and the list could go on.  I encourage you to go and read the whole chapter, I’m just going to talk about a few verses that really stood out to me.

Money

• Tainted wealth has no lasting value, but right living can save your life. (Proverbs 10:2)  Talking about how we obtain our money, money that doesn’t come from hard work or honest jobs doesn’t last.  Most people you hear about that win lotteries or from gambling, that money doesn’t last.  An inheritance or money coming from your diligence and hard work, when used right, is sure to last you.
• The earnings of the godly enhance their lives, but evil people squander their money on sin. (Proverbs 10:16)  Today, the thought is that if I can charge it, I’m good.  Here is a wake up call, being in debt is a sin.  Just as the rich rule the poor, so the borrower is servant to the lender. (Proverbs 22:7)  Having a shopping addiction, gambling addiction, drinking/smoking addiction, eating out addiction, all this is a form in which you are squandering your money, and yes an addiction is a sin.
• The blessing of the Lord makes a person rich, and He adds no sorrow with it. (Proverbs 10:22)

Work Ethics 

• Lazy people are soon poor, hard workers get rich.  A wise youth harvests in the summer, but one who sleeps during harvest is a disgrace. (Proverbs 10:4-5)  So many people today think they don’t have to work and they can get everything handed to them.  Through not working and lack of planning, it all leads nowhere, what a sad and pathetic way to live.  2 Thessalonians 3:10-12, Even while we were with you, we gave you this command:  “Those unwilling to work will not get to eat.”  Yet we hear that some of you living idle lives, refusing to work and meddling in other people’s business.  We command such people and urge them in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and work to earn their own living.  
• Doing wrong is fun for a fool, but living wisely brings pleasure to the sensible. (Proverbs 10:23)
• Lazy people irritate their employers, like vinegar to the teeth or smoke in the eyes. (Proverbs 10:26)

Conversing with Others

• The wise are glad to be instructed, but babbling fools fall flat on their faces. (Proverbs 10:8)  Don’t be the guy who thinks they know everything, be open to opinions and advice.  I love listening to others and getting to know what they think, it can help me in so many ways.  Through my job, through college, and through my spiritual walk, listen to others around you.
• The words of the godly are a life-giving fountain; the words of the wicked conceal violent intentions. (Proverbs 10:11)  Be careful who you listen to and what you do absorb.
• People who accept discipline are on the pathway to life, but those who ignore correction will go astray.  Hiding hatred makes you a liar; slandering others makes you a fool. (Proverbs 10:17-18)  This goes with being instructed, accepting discipline and correction will help keep you or put you on the right path.  Verse 18, hiding hatred, or not forgiving your neighbor makes you liar.  Slandering, gossiping, talking poorly about someone makes you a fool.  We need to learn to lift people up.
• The words of the godly encourage many, but fools are destroyed by their lack of common sense. (Proverbs 10:21)
• The mouth of the godly person gives wise advice, but the tongue that deceives will be cut off.  The lips of the godly speak helpful words, but the mouth of the wicked speaks perverse words. (Proverbs 10:31-32)

Let God into your life today and truly experience the change that He will bring you.  Don’t be a fool, be a man of God and a man of Wisdom.