Proverbs 28:8 Turn about is . . .

He who increases his wealth by exorbitant interest amasses it for another, who will be kind to the poor.

 Solomon is hearkening back to the Law given to Moses, and then to the Hebrew people. Here is one example of God's instructions about loaning money to someone:

And if your brother becomes poor, and falls into poverty among you; then you shall help him: yea, though he be a stranger, or a sojourner; that he may live with you.  Leviticus 25:35

So the Holy Spirit is noting for us in this verse, that if someone oppresses another, by charging huge and exorbitant interest rates for a loan, or helping someone out of a tight spot, the increase may very well be taken from him. And it would be poetic justice if those ill gotten gains were used to relieve others who are poor and needy, would it not?

Here is the heart of the principle:  If a Christian is one of those who would make a dishonest profit and charge exorbitant interest God might well take his money and give it to someone who would show mercy on the poor. Because we are supposed to be merciful, right?

Deuteronomy 15:7, 11
If there is a poor man among your brothers in any of the towns of the land that the LORD your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward your poor brother. There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy in your land.

Luke 6:38
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.

Even in the secular world, we have an example of this principle, in the old saying, "Turn about is fair play." Perhaps we should try to remember that, and always treat others as we'd want to be treated . . . whether it's a brother or sister who is in a tight spot and needs financial help, or a person who just needs some of our time. Time is such a precious commodity in this age -- but investing our time to listen and encourage someone whose heart is aching is truly showing the mercy that we'd want to receive, if we were in their shoes.

Never criticize a man until you have walked a mile in his moccasins.  (American Indian proverb)

Lord, help me to empathize and understand those around me who need my time and encouragement.

Proverbs 28:7 The company we keep

A discerning son heeds instruction,
    but a companion of gluttons disgraces his father.

Whoso keepeth the law is a wise son: but he that is a companion of riotous men shameth his father.

Riotous . . . Webster says "profligate behavior, unrestrained revelry, wantonness, noise, uproar, or disturbance" . . . We're not talking birthday celebrations in the kitchen; we're talking about wild parties that can lead to binge drinking, sexual promiscuity, even drugs. 

"Party animal." Have you known anyone that has smiled and said that those words describe them? Have you been the person that loves to be at wild parties? Have you chosen your friends from the wild side, instead of choosing from among the godly people that you've known?

Hanging out with the "wrong" people can not only start you on a path that will lead you away from God, but it can also harm your reputation. (Many people have turned away from the party life and found that a decision they made while partying or drunk has impacted their ability to get a job or a mate.) One's best decisions are made while sober -- not while intoxicated! 
We may think that we are not allowing those folks to influence us. It can begin in a very subtle fashion, but it will happen, and will gain momentum like a snowball rolling downhill. 

The contrast here is that the wise person studies the Word, keeps it, guards it, and learns from it. And because of that, the wise person also guards their reputation, keeps it clean, doesn't let it get dragged in the dirt. 

Proverbs 22:1a A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches…

Ecclesiastes 7:1a A good name is better than precious ointment…  

Some people say that they "need" to stop at the local sports bar before going home from work, or they stop in at the club for drinks and more. It's easy to overindulge - eat too much and drink too much. After all, how many television shows portray the party life as one big, long Happy Hour, with no responsibilities and no consequences . . .
Riotous living looks like fun from the outside, and might seem fun for a while, but we all know what happened to the Prodigal Son - he wasted his entire inheritance on riotous living and wound up eating with the pigs.  Sometimes young Christians will think that it's not so bad to party with their unsaved friends, but they miss the point that they don't look a bit different from anyone else, standing there with a drink in one hand and a plate of pub food in the other -- and we're supposed to be different.

Romans 12:2a    "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind... 

Whether we are a son or a daughter, young or old, we are wise to surround ourselves with people who will help us, build us up, strengthen our faith, and display Christian character and the fruits of the spirit. In doing so, we'll be better able to avoid shaming and disappointing our Father.

Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

Proverbs 28:6 I'd rather have Jesus

Better the poor whose walk is blameless
    than the rich whose ways are perverse.

 Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich.

I highlighted two words up there for us to focus on. Let's take the second one first (I know, I know, I'm squirrely.) What are a person's "ways"?  Is Solomon talking about a person's attitude, their manner of living, the way they handle crises, or the way they treat others? Let's go exploring, shall we?

You shall walk in all the ways which the Lord your God hath commanded you, that you may live, and that it may be well with you, and that you may prolong your days in the land which you shall possess.  Deuteronomy 5:33

In this verse, "ways" is a reference to the Law, and the Hebrew people's obedience to it. Now let's fast forward to the book of Job, and read:

Job 31:4 Does not he see my ways, and count all my steps?

So, a person's ways are how he or she lives, day by day, when people aren't watching, and when true character shows through. Of course, our ways are often quite different from God's ways. In fact, the help of the Holy Spirit is the only solution for making our ways mirror God's ways. 

Now, I highlighted another word up there . . .  if you search the Hebrew meanings for "perverse" in this verse, the first one that was listed in my commentary was "false."  That set the gears to turning.  Someone who is false, though he/she is rich.

 Have you ever thought about how rich we are, as Christians in this country? I believe that the majority of our readers are in the United States and the UK, where there are many, many churches, and you don't need to be registered with the government to attend one. We can walk into stores and purchase a copy of God's word, and we can read it anywhere we like -- we don't have to hide. There are radio stations that we can listen to, that only play gospel music or hymns. There are television stations that have a constant supply of preachers and evangelists for us to listen to and learn from. Wow!

Compare that to a person in China who must attend secret services in another Christian's home. Compare that to a poor person in Sudan, who will be tortured, exiled, or killed, if they mention their faith in Christ. How about another person in the Philippines, who is forced to endure hunger, disease, and persecution, in order to share a Bible and walk miles to hear the Word preached (again in secret). 

Those people who are poor in situation or environment, but are faithful to Christ, are better than the "rich" Christian whose ways are "false." The one who forgets to pray until a crisis looms. Or goes days, weeks, even months without opening the Bible beside their bed. Or the one who joins in worldly activities and attitudes, instead of standing up for righteousness. 

I've stepped on my own toes here, so I hope you will forgive me if I happen to have bruised yours as well. While I hunt for the box of bandaids, give a listen to this old hymn that was a standard for George Beverly Shea . . . 

Proverbs 28:5 Do you understand the verdict?

Evildoers do not understand what is right,
    but those who seek the Lord understand it fully.


As I studied this verse, I had an "aha!" moment when I was looking at the roots of the words, in the Hebrew language. Sometimes that can give us a better understanding of what ole Solomon was telling us.

On the surface, I think we all would agree that "evildoers" (people who are still in a sinful life without a relationship with Christ) would have a difficult time understanding what is right and wrong in some situations. Some things are pretty obvious -- we shouldn't haul off and murder someone simply because they made us angry or we decide that we don't care for the way they do things. Kinda reminiscent of the Queen of Hearts in Alice, right? "Off with their heads!"  Some of the more subtle issues of life, though, may give an evildoer some difficulty, in deciding what to do. We can be assured that we have the Holy Spirit to help us know what to do, and how to handle various situations that crop up in our lives. That's a comfort, isn't it?

Now, on the other hand, if we look at these words in bold type,

Evildoers do not understand what is right,
    but those who seek the Lord understand it fully.

 . . . then we can get a whole new take on this verse. In the Hebrew, the root there means "verdict" or "judgment."   Ah! That's different! Let's explore this, OK?

We know that our God is a righteous and holy Creator. 

 "I am the Lord, your Holy One, the Creator of Israel, your King."  Isaiah 43:15

While He is full of grace and mercy, there are still times when He must enact judgment on His creations. 

For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.  Ecclesiastes 12:14

And we know that as followers of Christ, we will be held accountable for our words, our thoughts, and our deeds:

Romans 14:12-14 So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.

Read more: http://www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/bible-verses-about-judgment-20-scriptures-to-study/#ixzz2CseTpqUw

So then each of us will give an account of himself to God . . . Romans 14:12

In I Peter we read that judgment will begin at our doorstep and encompass the "evildoers" as well:

For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God, and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?  I Peter 4:17

But the sinners of this world may not have a clue. They need to hear the gospel, and then they need to obey it. Then they can avoid the ultimate judgment for evildoers:

                       The wages of sin is death . . .   Romans 6:23a

How can they hear? That is where you and I come in!  They simply have got to hear the second half of that verse:
           ....but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.   Romans 6:23b

It's up to us to tell them. They can't escape the verdict --- they can't really understand it --- unless we tell them. We are those who "seek the Lord and understand it fully." It's a hefty responsibility, but He has promised He will help us. We can say, as Paul did:

But I have had God's help to this very day, and so I stand here and testify to small and great alike.  Acts 26:22

There is nothing more compelling, more convincing, than a personal, eye-witness account. And we can give that to them. Let's be determined to live a life that is a testimony to God, and to speak a word for Him when we can. Who knows how many will avoid that verdict, because of us?

Read more: http://www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/bible-verses-about-judgment-20-scriptures-to-study/#ixzz2CscgjYlL

Read more: http://www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/bible-verses-about-judgment-20-scriptures-to-study/#ixzz2CscgjYlL

Ecclesiastes 12:14 For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.

Read more: http://www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/bible-verses-about-judgment-20-scriptures-to-study/#ixzz2CscgjYlL

Proverbs 28:4 It ain't over till it's over

4.  To reject the law is to praise the wicked; to obey the law is to fight them.

This is a war that has been going on for many, many years . . . it's the conflict between good and evil. I'm not just talking about the "dark" side and the Force here, but the serious battle that exists on this earth, between people of faith, and people with no faith.

Solomon was talking about the law handed down to Moses.

1John 3:4 Whoever commits sin transgresses also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.

Since the sacrifice of Christ on the cross, and His resurrection, we are not bound by the law:

Galatians 3:24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.

But, even though we are not bound by the law, we are followers of Christ, and strive to grow more like Him each day, in righteousness and in grace. And today, just as in ancient Israel, there are men and women who do wrong and sin, and they are in constant conflict with those who are trying to live lives for Christ's glory. Many of the arguments, strife, and heart-ache that plague us today, are a result of this ongoing battle.

We may smile at the idealistic young person who dreamily says they'd like to change the world, and usher in an era of world peace. While it's a laudable, lovely idea, there is very little chance (for now) that all of the world's peoples will live in harmony. We know that Bible prophecy points to a time when "the lion will lie down with the lamb" but that is with direct and divine intervention -- not a result of mere mortals!
Closer to home, we realize that there will always be those who mock our efforts to imitate Christ and live for Him. We are indeed in a battle:

We are human, but we don't wage war with human plans and methods. We use God's mighty weapons, not mere worldly weapons, to knock down the Devil's strongholds... break down every proud argument that keeps people from knowing God... conquer their rebellious ideas, and we teach them to obey Christ. II Corinthians 10:3-5

And there may soon come a time when we will actually be persecuted for our faith:

But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, persecutions, afflictions... what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me. Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.  II Timothy 3:10-16

It's an ongoing battle, and we can count on strength from above . . . and we know that "it ain't over til it's over" . . .

Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death. Revelation 12: 10-11

Isn't it wonderful to know the conclusion, the end of the battle, the outcome of all this strife, will be a victory for Christ and all of His saints? It's kinda like reading the end of the book first, and then the rest of it! The Devil will keep trying to change that outcome, but God's Word is sure, and it's faithful -- He (and we) will win in the end!

Happy Thanksgiving

I'd like to wish all of you a blessed Thanksgiving Day and a happy day of celebration with family and friends. Spend some time thinking about (and maybe adding to) your list of Gratitudes from yesterday's post, and pause to pray. 
Praise the Father for all of His blessings.

We'll be resting today and tomorrow . . . we'll be back on next Monday to resume our studies in Proverbs!

Gratitudes

I'd like to challenge all of you to join me in a "Gratitudes" activity. I'm sure that at some point in your life, whether as a child or an adult, you have been encouraged to make a list of the things for which you are thankful.

Not a going-through-the-motions kind of thing, but a real, stop in your tracks, grab a piece of paper one. Do you have paper and pen handy? Good!

We have so much to be thankful for. We are so blessed. Try to go beyond the things that first come to your mind, and think about your life. What makes you truly grateful when you think about it?

First on my personal list would be my salvation:

Psalm 118:21
I will give you thanks, for you answered me; you have become my salvation.

Colossians 2:6-8
So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

Of course, I'm grateful for my health, and for the love of my family. I'm also grateful for all of you:

2 Thessalonians 1:3
We ought always to thank God for you, brothers, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love every one of you has for each other is increasing.

I've been blessed by the opportunity to post here and be challenged and encouraged by your responses. God has used this in ways that I never would have dreamed, and hope that I have been able to help some of you.
2 Corinthians 4:15
All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.

I'm grateful for the small things, too, like when I can go to bed in a warm house, hearing the hum of the clothes dryer and the dishwasher going, while I lie down to rest.

I hope that you will take a few moments to make a "Gratitudes" list, and to lift up a prayer of thankfulness to our Father, the source of all of our blessings.
If you have time, leave a comment with a couple of your "gratitudes" for others to share.