Wise Up: Proverbs 22
Proverbs 22 (NIV)
1 A good name is more desirable than great riches;
to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.
2 Rich and poor have this in common:
The Lord is the Maker of them all.
3 The prudent see danger and take refuge,
but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.
4 Humility is the fear of the Lord;
its wages are riches and honor and life.
5 In the paths of the wicked are snares and pitfalls,
but those who would preserve their life stay far from them.
6 Start children off on the way they should go,
and even when they are old they will not turn from it.
7 The rich rule over the poor,
and the borrower is slave to the lender.
8 Whoever sows injustice reaps calamity,
and the rod they wield in fury will be broken.
9 The generous will themselves be blessed,
for they share their food with the poor.
10 Drive out the mocker, and out goes strife;
quarrels and insults are ended.
11 One who loves a pure heart and who speaks with grace
will have the king for a friend.
12 The eyes of the Lord keep watch over knowledge,
but he frustrates the words of the unfaithful.
13 The sluggard says, “There’s a lion outside!
I’ll be killed in the public square!”
14 The mouth of an adulterous woman is a deep pit;
a man who is under the Lord’s wrath falls into it.
15 Folly is bound up in the heart of a child,
but the rod of discipline will drive it far away.
16 One who oppresses the poor to increase his wealth
and one who gives gifts to the rich—both come to poverty.
Thirty Sayings of the Wise
Saying 1
17 Pay attention and turn your ear to the sayings of the wise;
apply your heart to what I teach,
18 for it is pleasing when you keep them in your heart
and have all of them ready on your lips.
19 So that your trust may be in the Lord,
I teach you today, even you.
20 Have I not written thirty sayings for you,
sayings of counsel and knowledge,
21 teaching you to be honest and to speak the truth,
so that you bring back truthful reports
to those you serve?
Saying 2
22 Do not exploit the poor because they are poor
and do not crush the needy in court,
23 for the Lord will take up their case
and will exact life for life.
Saying 3
24 Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person,
do not associate with one easily angered,
25 or you may learn their ways
and get yourself ensnared.
Saying 4
26 Do not be one who shakes hands in pledge
or puts up security for debts;
27 if you lack the means to pay,
your very bed will be snatched from under you.
Saying 5
28 Do not move an ancient boundary stone
set up by your ancestors.
Saying 6
29 Do you see someone skilled in their work?
They will serve before kings;
they will not serve before officials of low rank.
6 Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.
Proverbs repeatedly teaches us to raise our children in the ways of our God. As I get older and have the benifit of time to aid me in the reflection of my life and how we raised our children, I can see the wisdom of this concept. We have the benefit of having some of our grandchildren living with us while they look for a house and can see how molding children at an early age in the ways of our Lord is so much easier than when they are older or even as adults. It is never too late to teach your children about our God and what he did for us by sending Christ to save us. It is just easier to do when they are young. I thank my parents frequently for insisting that I went to church and Sunday school regularly. My decision to accept Christ was my own but the exposure they insisted I get had great benefit in making that decision. I pray frequently that all of my chilldren and their families know Jesus and make him the center of their lives.
Amen. I couldn’t agree more
Solomon talks a lot about riches and the poor. I liked vs 1 and 4 today.
22:1 “a sterling reputation is better than striking it rich; a gracious spirit is better than money in the bank.”
22:4 “the payoff for meekness and the fear of God is plenty and honor and a satisfying life.”
You can’t share your money with everyone but a gracious spirit, meekness and the fear of God will go a lot further. It is with you always and is useful in all circumstances.
Lord I want to develop and grow in graciousness, meekness and the fear of God, being generous with those things daily, pleasing you and blessing others by overflowing those unending riches. Lord you will take care of any other riches.
24 & 25…
I can be hot tempered myself, so when I am around someone who gets upset it definitely affects my mood. It’s good to read that keeping some distance between myself and folks like that is better for my faith. I have been trying to surround myself with fellow believers more so than ever before and this verse is a reminder to continue to widen my faith based circle and to shrink my non-Christian one.
Verse 2. Rich and poor have this in common,
The Lord is maker of them all.
God really levels the playing field, doesn’t He. We as humans make so many distinctions of class and importance but just being His creation made in His wonderful image makes us all valuable and equally important. Our behaviours made need change and growth but regardless we are all so important, He suffered and died out of great love for us. Wow, how amazing!
This verse caught my attention as well and really humbled me.