Worth or worthless

DEVOTION

PROVERBS

WORTH OR WORTHLESS

Prov 19:2

2 It is not good to have zeal without knowledge, nor to be hasty and miss the way.

NIV

This translation seems to leave the meaning of this saying. When we look at the interlinear the saying goes as such: Also without knowledge the soul not good and he that hasten with his feet sins. This certainly has the implication knowledge is that of God, rather than extensive education in worldly affairs, or human understanding because this is about the soul of a man. It does no good for us do anything if we do not have the knowledge of God within our soul. The Hebrew word translated soul means a living breathing being. Because when God created man and he formed him from the ground and then breathed his very breath into the nostrils of Adam, we have that very breathe of God within us. This implies our soul is from God. So then anything we do without that knowledge is but humanity at its worst. It is a worthless, fruitless effect to apply our lives to anything without having that knowledge of God within us.

Rom 1:28-29

28 Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done.

NIV

We would have to include the whole of this discussion that was revealed to Paul by the Spirit in order to get the completeness of the truth. However this conclusion portion of the discussion gives us the idea that God put the knowledge of himself into all men. Yet many did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God. This is not good for the soul. Forfeiting the knowledge of God gives way to depraved thinking. When we act with haste, which is to decide with human thinking, which is depraved, it is worthless. The Greek word translated depraved means exactly that, unapproved, rejected, worthless. To act without the knowledge of God, to have goals, ambitions, desires without the knowledge of God, without having God as the center focus of our plans, it is worthless, our lives are worthless. This means our lives have no meaning, no purpose, and no value. Acting in haste leads to sin. Acting, living not having God as the center theme of our lives leads us to sin, we miss the way. We miss the narrow path that leads to eternal life. If we do not have eternal life, if we miss it, because we rejected or suppressed the knowledge of God, our lives mean nothing.

Mark 8:36-38

36 What good is it for a man to gain the whole world , yet forfeit his soul? 37 Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? 38 If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father's glory with the holy angels."  

NIV

Living in haste, having zeal for life, pursuing after the things of the world, being a type “A” personality, being aggressive and passionate about life has no meaning at all without knowing God. Let us keep our focus on God, let us run the race toward God. Let us seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, he will take care of the rest. This will make our lives worth living.  It will make our living have worth. 

Integrity

DEVOTION

PROVERBS

INTEGRITY

Prov 19:1

Better a poor man whose walk is blameless than a fool whose lips are perverse.

NIV

It seems right to consider this as a contrast saying. If then the poor man who walks blameless or we could say with integrity, as the Hebrew word implies, the fool is the rich man, as the Hebrew word implies the fat, has lips which are not filled with integrity. There is the contrast between the poor and the rich. Although wealth alone does not make a person a fool, or speak with perverse lips, it is implied that in the course of seeking wealth it can be obtained through ill-gotten gain. It might be said among the abundantly wealthy in this country, some have gotten that way through varied forms of perverse lips. In contrast those who are not wealthy have at least the ability to have some integrity and dignity in their lives. In contrast to the preserve lips, they are the honest working souls that make this country as great as it is. Their work is honest, giving their best to whatever endeavor they are engaged in. This reasoning is again because of the contrast. The poor is not implying the beggar, the indigent, but those who work, supporting themselves through honest methods. It is also true honest methods can develop a certain amount of wealth. So then this speaks more to the contrast of those who use honest methods for gain to those who use dishonest methods for gain. Whenever we take advantage of others for our personal benefit it is ill-gotten gain, whether that be materially or socially. Hard work always prevails. Although some would say it is better to work smart then hard. We then should say honest work always prevails, at least in the eyes of God. It might seem those fools who use perverse lips to their gain are not wise in the eyes of God. It is better to have less of this world and more of God than vice versa. God will always reward our honest work, that which is done with integrity. In working in this manner we honor God, we bring him glory. The fool who uses other than honest methods for gain, does not bring honor to God, but in fact shows himself to be unwise in Godly matters. Let us always be pure in our endeavors, as we have already known that we should do our work as onto the Lord, which would have to be with honesty or integrity thus blameless.  

Friend

DEVOTION

PROVERBS

FRIEND

Prov 18:24

24 A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

NIV

There are several renderings of this saying of Solomon which would make it a totally different meaning. The one rendition would indicate that in order to have many friends we must first be friendly and that we might still only have one friend that would be closer to us then our brother. Some of our scholars of old like that interpretation, however others would agree with how this translation has stated it, as well as several other translations use the same type of language just slightly different. The interlinear even makes this a little more confusing as the word which it translates as “Must shew himself friendly” seems to mean something else. The Greek word would imply to spoil or good for nothing. We would then have to conclude that we might have way too many “friends” which in all reality are nothing more than acquaintances. This could agree with having to show ourselves to be friendly. Having so many acquaintances, being a Christian especially, should require us to be of service to them, or put them and their needs before ours. This could certainly be our ruin. If we are being run raged helping everyone who thinks they are friends, in the loosest meaning, we would never have time for our own family needs.  This is not to say we should avoid making friends, but that word friend should be reserved for the one who sticks by us and in turn us by them. In life we may only have one or two actual friends who fit this definition. It seems in our society and particularly on social media our status depends on how many friends we have. The more followers on Twitter we can accumulate shows how important we think we are. True friendship should be something we cherish and it would never be our ruin.  Now having many acquaintances does give us opportunity to share the gospel message or pray with them, giving them the opportunity to see God at work in their lives. Yet still we should be aware not to spread ourselves too thin that we do not have our own time with God and with our own family whom he has blessed us with. Let us consider the word friend not in the plural by in the singular. 

Poor and rich

DEVOTION

PROVERBS

POOR AND RICH

Prov 18:23

23 A poor man pleads for mercy, but a rich man answers harshly.

NIV

It certainly is true in most cases those who are poor show a certain among of humility. The poor in some cases are reduced to begging, asking for help to survive the seemingly cruelties life has brought them. It would be an extreme example to find a poor man filled with pride. It might be said that a poor person is dependent on those who are not poor. In our society it seems the Federal Government, as of late, has perpetuated the poor to be even more dependent upon it for everything. This takes away any self-sufficiency and dignity a person might have. Although this seems to be a sad state of affairs in society, it is the only way to live in the kingdom of God. In the eyes of God we all are poor and need to look to him for all aspects of life. We have nothing that can offer us eternal life, he has everything to offer us, both eternal life as well as supplying all our needs. The problem is we might think of ourselves as being rich. We might see our wealth as a source of meeting not only our needs, but our every desire. Although there are a few philanthropists who give to the poor, some of them give to the non-poor organizations who claim to assist the poor. Even then those who give to the poor are few and far between. The average man who has the mindset to accumulate enough wealth for himself and his later years gives very little, instead he gives a harsh answer. Although we have been accustom to judging and passing by those at intersections or off ramps with their signs pleading for assistance, how many of us actually give? Is our closed window similar to a harsh answer? What difference would a ten or twenty dollar bill be in our lives? The harsh answer of the rich also has an application in the kingdom of God. Those who think their wealth supplies them security, see no need to submit to God. They see no need for God, although there certainly are rich people who are believers. Yet in this proverb, Solomon may well be seeing their being more dependent on self then God. If we are not willing to give our wealth for the needs of others, are we more like the rich man then like Lazarus? What about the rich man who came to Jesus asking what must he do to inherit eternal life?

Mark 10:17-23

17 As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. "Good teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?" 18 "Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered. "No one is good — except God alone. 19 You know the commandments: 'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, do not defraud, honor your father and mother.'"  20 "Teacher," he declared, "all these I have kept since I was a boy." 21 Jesus looked at him and loved him. "One thing you lack," he said. "Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."  22 At this the man's face fell. He went away sad , because he had great wealth. 23 Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, "How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!" 

NIV

It might be said the rich give God a harsh answer, telling him no thanks, we have our wealth. This also reminds us that we cannot serve both God and money. The poor have no chance of that as they have no money, although they could certainly have the desire for it. The wealthy have to be very careful not to hoard their wealth, putting their trust in it. This also reminds us that we cannot out give God.

Luke 6:37-38

37 "Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. 38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." 

NIV

So let us be both the poor and the rich. Poor, relying on God, and rich, giving, helping those in need. Sure, all are in need of salvation, all are in need of the gospel message, but the poor need food, while the rich enjoy their dinner. So then let us always be poor in our relationship with God, looking to him for all we have. Let us also be rich with the poor in material things, not keeping all our wealth for ourselves, but sharing, giving to those in need. Let us not judge them or the validity of their need, let us just give when the opportunity presents itself. No harsh answer. If we who are rich in material things give the poor a harsh answer, would we then expect to receive a harsh answer from God? Then we should see ourselves as both poor and rich, yet as believers. 

Something Good

DEVOTION

PROVERBS

SOMETHING GOOD

Prov 18:22

22 He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the LORD.

NIV

There is some discussion among our scholars of old regarding various texts including the Septuagint which makes some additions to this saying. They read: “He who puts away a good wife puts away a good thing, but he who retains an adulterous is a fool and wicked". Although it seems to make the same point, this version does not appear in any of the translations of today. Although all this is not germane to the topic at hand, it is nevertheless interesting. Let us consider this idea of finding a wife being good. We would have to go back to the beginning of mankind, in the time of the creation to be able to understand the mind of God regarding this truth.

Gen 2:18

18 The LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him."

NIV

We might then come to the conclusion that celibacy is evil as it defies the very words of God. Sure the Apostle Paul talked about staying single.

1 Cor 7:1-7

7:1 Now for the matters you wrote about: It is good for a man not to marry.   2 But since there is so much immorality, each man should have his own wife, and each woman her own husband. 3 The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband. 4 The wife's body does not belong to her alone but also to her husband. In the same way, the husband's body does not belong to him alone but also to his wife. 5 Do not deprive each other except by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. 6 I say this as a concession, not as a command. 7 I wish that all men were as I am. But each man has his own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that.

NIV

This would seem to contradict God. Yet this particular translation may have taken some liberties with the original text. This Greek does not indicate Paul is saying is it better for a man not to marry, but it is good for a man not to touch a woman. In the context, then going on talking about so much immorality it would make more sense to indicate Paul was speaking about intimate relations outside the bonds of marriage. He does not  say that he wished all men were single, like him. He says he wishes all men were as he was. This could also imply seeing the truth of being true to each other in the bonds of marriage, giving ourselves to each other, our bodies not being our own. He might well have been saying would never touch a woman outside the bonds of marriage which would then totally agree with the fact God said it is not good that man should be alone. God did not supply Adam with many women to touch as he pleased. God supplied Adam with a suitable help mate, one woman to walk by his side through life. This is the intent of this proverb. When we man finds a wife, a suitable helpmate, a woman to walk by his side through life, he finds a good thing. We could say that in the same sense about women. When a woman finds a husband, she finds a good thing for she has found a man to walk by her side through life. However, although it may not be the most popular view in our culture, the man is still the one responsible to God for his family, his wife and his children. Therefor since God holds the man, the husband, accountable, the man must then have the authority in the relationship. We would also have to consider that this proverb does not speak about a man finding a good wife, but that finding a wife, whether a good one or a bad one, finds that which is good in the eyes of God. This stands up to the words of God about it not being good for man to be alone. However we also have to contend with the idea that way too many married people today have lost that commitment and leave one another for some other pleasures. This would then strike at the core of touching women or men outside the bonds of marriage. It seems this is the way of the world, but it should not be the way of those who put their trust in God. Yet, even in the household of faith our humanity sneaks in and we fail to uphold to perfection. Yet the idea has never been compromised, finding a lifelong mate is a good thing in the eyes of God. When we become committed to this concept God shows favor toward us.  So let us see that which we have in marriage is something good. 

words

DEVOTION

PROVERBS

WORDS

Prov 18:20-21

20 From the fruit of his mouth a man's stomach is filled; with the harvest from his lips he is satisfied.

21 The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.

NIV

Words are important, they actually set the course of our lives. We can use words which would bring us destruction or the destruction of others or we can use words for our own good as well as building others up. Whatever words we use we will either suffer or enjoy the consequences of them. We are told the tongue is the most difficult member of the body to tame.

James 3:7-8

7 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, 8 but no man can tame the tongue . It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

NIV

James goes on to give more advice to us regarding our tongue. He tells us that we can use it for duel purposes, praising God and cursing men.

James 3:9-12

9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness.   10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. 11 Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? 12 My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.

NIV

This certainly is in conformity with the Wisdom of Solomon given to him from God. Our tongue, our words have the power of life and death. This most assuredly means within ourselves, but it also could be applied to others, We have the words that could bring life, eternal life to others, if we but voice them. We also have the words if not voiced could bring death to others. It is also possible our words could bring us down. If we say we are believers, Christians and use words that are not pleasing to God in the presence of unbelievers, we defame him. Oh sure we may not curse or use vulgarity, but do we speak about the same things unbelievers do? Can they tell we are believers by our words? Even in the body of Christ do we use our words to build each other up or simply use words to boast about ourselves? Even self-defamation might be a form of boasting. The idea of how much we are aware of our failures and express that about ourselves might be used to demonstrate just how spiritual we are. Words mean something, and it would be good for us to be quick to listen and slow to speak. Whatever we say reflects on who we are. So then, we should use words carefully so they bring us life and bring life to those around us. Of course the best words are always the words spoken by God. So then, when we speak the words of God we speak life. When we speak the words of men that may well not bring any life at all, but rather death. The point God was making through James was we cannot use both types of words. We cannot speak about the things of God and the things of men at the same time. This could apply to so many aspects of our words. The most dangerous form of words of men is gossip. It is extremely destructive on all accounts. Sometimes just small talk turns to idle words which mean nothing at all and have no life in them. If words have no life, then would they have death? Just a thought. Yet it would seem the main point is that our words will bring us one or the other, life or death. Let us  use words that cause life to spring up within us and those around us.

1 Thess 5:10-11

 11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

NIV

Let us consider Job, as God did. Let our words encourage each other, let our words comfort others and bring them relief.

Job 16:5

5 But my mouth would encourage you; comfort from my lips would bring you relief.

NIV

Disputes

DEVOTION

PROVERBS

DISPUTES

Prov 18:18-19

18 Casting the lot settles disputes and keeps strong opponents apart.

19 An offended brother is more unyielding than a fortified city, and disputes are like the barred gates of a citadel.

NIV

It would seem right to combine these two as they speak about the same issue. It is difficult to consider that believers would even live with any disputes. Yet these sayings are not written for the unbeliever as they are not reading them in order to be corrected, rebuked, taught or trained in righteousness, as we are. So then first we should consider the easiest solution to any dispute is to flip a coin, heads we win, trails we lose, the matter is settled. But is it? Does that put the matter to rest within our being, our spirit? It should, yet this second saying proves there can be a resentment within if we are unyielding to consider the matter closed. If we carry resentment, bitterness or are unwilling to forgive, we are being like a fortified city. We close ourselves off from others, keeping them at bay, at a distance, not allowing them to enter into our hearts. If they attempt to make restitution they are shut out by our barred gates. At least in the casting of lots we agree to disagree and let the matter go, parting ways equitably. This allows each of us to move on being the person we need to be, if that is as a believer then following after God, if that is as an unbeliever then so be it. But, as we are believers, we cannot allow ourselves to be shut off from settling the matter. It hurts both the offended and the offender. If the dispute arises between two believers it is even more important to settle it immediately. When we are offended we cannot be that fortified city, unyielding to offer forgiveness. It seems when we are offended we stew, waiting for the offender to come seeking forgiveness. Then, maybe we might forgive, but only after making sure they understand how terrible they were for offending us. We need to explain how much they hurt us, how they should have acted or spoken in a different manner, taking the opportunity to teach them a lesson. But this is not the way of God. He forgives without finding fault or without a harsh rebuke. Our offense against God has already been forgiven at the cross. If we are going to be followers of Christ, then we need to be the forgiver even before the offender asks to be forgiven. Yes, we are to seek forgiveness from God, but in reality he has already forgiven us. The act of repentance or seeking forgiveness is for our sense of completeness. It provides us with that sense of peace with God. He has already been at peace with us, because of Christ. God justifies us through our faith. So then we should live in that same manner with other believers. They live in peace with us, because of their faith. We should forgive them even before they ask. What if God said we hurt him and he is not sure if he can forgive us, it might take a while for him to get over it? Sounds wrong, doesn’t it. Then let us not be unyielding. Let us not shut up our gates. Let us be open and willing to forgive and move on in our walk with the Lord and with each other. Let us be done with disputes.