Prov 29:24 It IS our business

The accomplices of thieves are their own enemies;
    they are put under oath and dare not testify.

Ever heard of the phrase, "a partner in crime"?

A partner in crime is someone who shares in someone else's sin . . . that can happen in two ways. We can participate in the sin with the first person, or we can help cover up or ignore the sin after the fact.

The root of the Hebrew word that is in the original documents has to do with giving testimony to something that's being covered up. The same word is used in the context of an ointment that gives off an aroma that is difficult to conceal.

The accomplice, or partner in crime shares in the thief’s sin and doesn’t give up the deed even when he hears the victim cursing the thief. The point here is that the person who is an accomplice to sin is every bit as bad as the person initiating the sin. We can’t run with people intent on committing sin and not be one of them, and not share in their guilt. In fact, we will even go so far as to help conceal their crime.

What I took from the proverb was that we are partners in crime, if we hear about a sin and don't say anything about it. If we take no action, we are an accomplice.  I believe the Bible tells us that the Christian, when they are aware of sin in the congregation or they perceive that there has been a sin committed, must speak up, preferably to the sinner first, and not hold their peace, lest they be an accomplice to the sin.

If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take them into your house or welcome them.  Anyone who encourages such people becomes a partner in their evil work. II John 1:10-11

It really IS our business. We must help a brother or sister who is heading the wrong way by speaking to them in the Biblically correct manner. In Matthew 18 we find these instructions:

If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, then you have won them over. But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses. If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church....."

If we say nothing, we are a partner in crime. How many people, young and old, have had their faith in Christ shaken or destroyed, because a sinner in the congregation was allowed to continue, and Christians stood by, saying nothing? We must not be accomplices, or partners in crime. We must stand for the truth.  
Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6

Proverbs 26:1 Snow in July

1  Like snow in summer or rain in harvest,
    honor is not fitting for a fool.

I believe this verse is talking about when things seem appropriate, and when they don't.We've all heard the expressions and cliches about having snow in the summertime --- it just doesn't seem right. Snow belongs in the winter months, right? When it does happen, it is so unusual that it is heralded on the news!

Rain in the harvest times of Solomon's era would have seemed just as unusual. The typical weather for their harvests was fairly dry . . . and it needed to be. Their agricultural methods were uniquely different from today. There were no huge combines to creep across the fields and harvest ripened grain --- they actually cut their grain before it was ripe, and gathered it into "sheaves" or bundles that would stand upright in the fields. Standing up like this allowed rain and dew to drain away, and avoided trapping the moisture as would happen if the bundles were lying on the ground. (Later then the grain was ready, the sheaves would be taken to the threshing floor, where the husks would be shaken or gently beaten to release the grain.) Of course, if there were unusually heavy rains when the sheaves were standing in the fields, some of the crop would be lost.

Just like snow in the summer, and heavy rains in the ancient harvest times; it is unusual, and it is not fitting to praise someone for foolish behavior. David told us in Psalm 14:1,

The fool says in his heart,
    “There is no God.”
They are corrupt, their deeds are vile;
    there is no one who does good.

But in our culture, it is troubling (and not fitting) that wicked men and women are praised as heros and held up as people whom we should emulate! Their sins and their excesses are celebrated.
Let's look at Psalm 12:7-8:

⁷ You, Lord, will keep the needy safe
    and will protect us forever from the wicked,
⁸ who freely strut about
    when what is vile is honored by the human race.

We learned in the very first chapter of Proverbs that fools despise wisdom and knowledge, and won't listen to instruction.
We need to make certain that the people that we honor, the people we praise and celebrate and allow to influence us and our families, are godly people --- not foolish people!

Prov 17 : 6 Family Ties

Pro 17:6  Children's children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers.

Some of you are aware of the painful situation that exists in our family --- one of our children is estranged from all of us; he has not spoken to us (or to his siblings) for three years now, and has resisted our efforts to reconcile. I first approached this verse with some dread . . . it is difficult to think of grandchildren that I may not see, or be able to hug and love.
It is indeed an honor to parents when their children and their grandchildren walk in the virtues that they have tried to model and teach. It is a blessing to live long enough to see those new families established, and to observe them serving and honoring God.  It crowns a long and full life.

As I studied, however, and as my weekend (last) unfolded, I looked at this verse with fresh understanding. Let me explain. Late on Saturday night, my husband and daughter had just dropped his mom at her house, making sure she was snug and safe, and then they headed toward home (thirty miles away). Minutes after they left, she called in a panic and said her cat had knicked her hand with one tooth (whether it was accidental or he was irritated, we'll never know) and she could not stop the bleeding. Hubby turned around and went back when called, and doctored her hand for the night. (It was pretty large, and looked like it might need stitches if it wasn't handled correctly.) Concerned that it would be difficult for her to change the bandage with one hand and poor eyesight, I made the trip on Sunday, to clean and re-dress her wound. I took her to a local cafeteria for some prepared foods to stock her fridge, and washed up the dishes I found, so that her injured hand would not need to get wet. After I opened her Bible for her and set out her plate of lunch, I started for home.

As I drove away, I was glad that I could help her. I felt contentment because I had been able to minister to her in my own limited way. I had to stop myself from thinking about her other children who live far less than thirty miles from her, but who show less concern for her --- well, there is less action coupled with the compassion. (Remember earlier this week?!)  I stopped, though, and asked for Him to forgive me for those thoughts, since that is their concern, not mine. Mine is to do what Scripture and my heart tells me is right, and "do it as unto the Lord."

I'm not saying all of this to get a pat on the head. Please don't take that away from this post. This is the point I am trying to make, but that Matthew Henry said, far better than I can say:

It is an honour to children to have wise and godly parents, and to have them continued to them even after they have themselves grown up and settled in the world. Those are unnatural children who reckon their aged parents a burden to them, and think they live too long; whereas, if the children be wise and good, it is as much their honour as can be, that thereby they are comforts to their parents in the unpleasant days of their old age.

I believe this is what the second half of the verse means. And I am so grateful that He has blessed me with the opportunity to serve, to comfort, and to honor her.

Lord, thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve others in some small way.  I take as my example the way You ministered, when You were here on earth. Help me to show Your love and be Your hands and feet, right here where I live.