Tag: Proverbs 19:1-7

Monday, July 18, 2022

If You Quit Listening

19 Better to be poor and honest

    than a rich person, no one can trust.

2 Ignorant zeal is worthless;

    haste makes waste.

3 People ruin their lives by their own stupidity,

    so why does God always get blamed?

4 Wealth attracts friends as honey draws flies,

    but poor people are avoided like a plague.

5 Perjury won’t go unpunished.

    Would you let a liar go free?

6 Lots of people flock around a generous person;

    everyone’s a friend to the philanthropist.

7 When you’re down on your luck, even your family avoids you—

    yes, even your best friends wish you’d get lost.

If they see you coming, they look the other way—

    out of sight, out of mind.

-Proverbs 19:1-7 The Message

19 Better is a poor person who walks in his integrity

    than one who is crooked in speech and is a fool.

2 Desire without knowledge is not good,

    and whoever makes haste with his feet misses his way.

3 When a man’s folly brings his way to ruin,

    his heart rages against the Lord.

4 Wealth brings many new friends,

    but a poor man is deserted by his friend.

5 A false witness will not go unpunished,

    and he who breathes out lies will not escape.

6 Many seek the favor of a generous man,

    and everyone is a friend to a man who gives gifts.

7 All a poor man’s brothers hate him;

    how much more do his friends go far from him!

He pursues them with words but does not have them.

Verse 1 study: The integrity of life is more important than wealth, but people act as if this doesn’t exist. What they are afraid of is not getting everything they want. So they will go the extra mile to get what they want to increase their wealth. It can include several things.

1. Cheating on their taxes.
2. Steal from the store or employers.
3. Withholding tithes.
4. Refusing to give.

When you have a relationship with God and know him, you realize that a lower standard of living or poverty is a small price to pay for personal integrity. But, do your actions show you sacrifice your integrity to increase your wealth? What do you need to change to get your priorities straight?

Verse 2 study: We rush through life without knowing what to expect. Rushing life can be a lack of planning. We miss the mark when planning is lacking in a person’s life. Many people marry and don’t consider what to expect from their partner. Others illicit sex or drugs without thinking about the consequences. Some go and work without considering if they are suitable for that type of work. Don’t rush into the unknown. Understand what you are getting into and how you want to take the first step. If it’s still unknown, follow God.

Verse 3 study: Sinners make their own bed and have to lie in it. Unfortunately, they blame God for their actions.

Verse 4 study: A fact of life stated without moral judgment. The sinful partiality is blatant.

Verses 4, 6, & 7 studies: The rich and powerful attract companies easily. But it is, in fact, noted with insult.

Verse 5 study: Perjury is a severe crime in an ordered society and is seriously punishable. Divine retribution is not in view here but rather the demands of standard social order.