Read Proverbs 1 – 3
Highlights:
Live and learn! The theme of Proverbs is wisdom. It is kind of an extended commentary on Matthew 7:24-27 and teaches in comparison or contrast. Keep in mind that knowledge is the ability to acquire facts, and wisdom the ability to rightfully apply those facts (2:1-6). The wise are protected and preserved (2:8; 3:5-6), In contrast he points out the simple, the fool, and the scorner (1:4,7; 3:34) because there's a price if wisdom is rejected (1:24-28).
Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it. Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee (Prov. 3:27-28).
Proverbs provides its readers with much wisdom by which to live their lives. This book is an excellent guide, instructing the reader how to walk through life following godly wisdom. There are few decisions that a person could encounter that Proverbs would not help.
The advice given here in these Scriptures from the Book of Proverbs should be of use to every believer. As we try to live our lives for Christ, we seek to be fair and helpful people. These verses clearly lend themselves to that sort of lifestyle. If we look at the verses carefully, we can really find two lessons in them. The first is, if you owe something, pay it. The writer states not to keep anything from a person that is due them. This is a major problem in today's society. There are many out there who are living far beyond their means. This is a dangerous place to live. Many simply leave much that they owe unpaid. This is certainly against God's will. There are many families and friendships torn apart over money that was loaned or borrowed. It is not advisable to do either of these two things. Scripture tells us that, The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender (Prov. 22:7).
The second piece of advice from these verses is one that instructs us to be charitable when we can. There are many times when it is in our power to help the less fortunate around us. In these instances, we should do our best to represent Christ in a positive light. How did Jesus reach out to those in need? The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; He hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised (Luke 4:18).
These two pieces of wisdom, if applied to our lives, will help bring our finances into God's will. That is, however, only one small part of the blessing we can see on our lives. We need to let the Word of God lead and direct our lives, not just in part, but in whole.
Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord (Col. 3:16).
Thought for Today:
Wisdom is not automatic. It comes to those who earnestly seek for it.
Christ Revealed:
As the Creator who founded the earth . . . He established the heavens (Prov. 3:19). All things were created by Him, and for Him (Col. 1:16; Eph. 3:9; Heb. 1:2-3).
Word Studies:
1:4 give subtilty to the simple, impart insight (prudence) to the teachable; 1:11 lurk privily, wait secretly; 1:28 early, diligently; 2:1 hide . . . with thee, receive and treasure My Commandments in your heart; 2:7 buckler, a shield used in hand-to-hand combat; 2:12 froward, opposed to God; 2:16 strange woman, adulteress; 3:26 thy foot from being taken, your life from all danger.
Prayer Suggestion: Sing praises to the Lord (Ps. 30:4).
Optional Reading: Titus 1
Memory Verse for the Week: Galatians 6:8