Proverbs
19
Verse 19:1 talks about being poor:
Better to be poor and live with
integrity
than a fool with a foul mouth.
I believe God and Jesus’ focus on wealth is not to have us become
prayers for wealth, but rather using those blessings to serve God. See once you
let money rule your life, God becomes second. That is the problem with wealth
and power; suddenly it controls your life and not allowing God to work. God
wants us to enjoy life and prosper, but He wants us to do so with integrity and
obedience.
Verse 19:6 is sad but true:
Many try to win the favor of a
generous person,
and everyone is a friend to someone who gives gifts.
It’s amazing how many friends you get when they expect
something. As nice as friends are, close friends are more valuable than the
ability to be generous. At the same time this does not mean be stingy and not
give, just realize many of these friends may be shallow.
Verse 19:8 shouts for us to gain wisdom:
Whoever gains a wise heart loves
his own soul,
and whoever preserves understanding experiences true goodness.
We tend to stop trying to learn as we grow older, but this
impedes our growth. Sometimes we just become a “wise guy” as we age and not
gain wisdom. Look for that before you consider resting on your “laurels.”
Verse 19:18 talks about discipline:
Discipline your children while
there is still hope of influencing their future,
so as not to play a part in their destruction.
I fear this is being disposed of in today’s world. The
parents now live in fear of DFCS knocking down the door because of childhood
bumps and bruises. I have lived this with Devon and worse recently with
Miracle. Because she rides horses she always looked beat up, and it took three
or four interviews with DFCS to clear the matter up. I’m not saying beat your
children, but a loving corrective spank is critical for their development,
otherwise we as parents serve our children poorly.
Verse 19:21 talks about impulses and why we need to control
them:
The impulses of the human heart may
run wild,
but the Eternal’s plan will prevail.
We tend to follow our impulses more than God’s word. Heck
“if it feels good, do it” has been rammed down our throats and has taken a hold
in society. Many today strive for pleasure than pleasing. This mindset has
developed into major problems like debt and infidelity where delayed
gratification is not an option. We want it now and it is killing our
relationship with God, unless He is dishing out blessings.
Li�~|T�