Wise Up: Proverbs 23
Proverbs 23 (NIV)
Saying 7
1 When you sit to dine with a ruler,
note well what is before you,
2 and put a knife to your throat
if you are given to gluttony.
3 Do not crave his delicacies,
for that food is deceptive.
Saying 8
4 Do not wear yourself out to get rich;
do not trust your own cleverness.
5 Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone,
for they will surely sprout wings
and fly off to the sky like an eagle.
Saying 9
6 Do not eat the food of a begrudging host,
do not crave his delicacies;
7 for he is the kind of person
who is always thinking about the cost.
“Eat and drink,” he says to you,
but his heart is not with you.
8 You will vomit up the little you have eaten
and will have wasted your compliments.
Saying 10
9 Do not speak to fools,
for they will scorn your prudent words.
Saying 11
10 Do not move an ancient boundary stone
or encroach on the fields of the fatherless,
11 for their Defender is strong;
he will take up their case against you.
Saying 12
12 Apply your heart to instruction
and your ears to words of knowledge.
Saying 13
13 Do not withhold discipline from a child;
if you punish them with the rod, they will not die.
14 Punish them with the rod
and save them from death.
Saying 14
15 My son, if your heart is wise,
then my heart will be glad indeed;
16 my inmost being will rejoice
when your lips speak what is right.
Saying 15
17 Do not let your heart envy sinners,
but always be zealous for the fear of the Lord.
18 There is surely a future hope for you,
and your hope will not be cut off.
Saying 16
19 Listen, my son, and be wise,
and set your heart on the right path:
20 Do not join those who drink too much wine
or gorge themselves on meat,
21 for drunkards and gluttons become poor,
and drowsiness clothes them in rags.
Saying 17
22 Listen to your father, who gave you life,
and do not despise your mother when she is old.
23 Buy the truth and do not sell it—
wisdom, instruction and insight as well.
24 The father of a righteous child has great joy;
a man who fathers a wise son rejoices in him.
25 May your father and mother rejoice;
may she who gave you birth be joyful!
Saying 18
26 My son, give me your heart
and let your eyes delight in my ways,
27 for an adulterous woman is a deep pit,
and a wayward wife is a narrow well.
28 Like a bandit she lies in wait
and multiplies the unfaithful among men.
Saying 19
29 Who has woe? Who has sorrow?
Who has strife? Who has complaints?
Who has needless bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes?
30 Those who linger over wine,
who go to sample bowls of mixed wine.
31 Do not gaze at wine when it is red,
when it sparkles in the cup,
when it goes down smoothly!
32 In the end it bites like a snake
and poisons like a viper.
33 Your eyes will see strange sights,
and your mind will imagine confusing things.
34 You will be like one sleeping on the high seas,
lying on top of the rigging.
35 “They hit me,” you will say, “but I’m not hurt!
They beat me, but I don’t feel it!
When will I wake up
so I can find another drink?”
Do not wear yourself out to get rich;
do not trust your own cleverness.
Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone,
for they will surely sprout wings
and fly off to the sky like an eagle
Proverbs 23:4, 5
Money is not inherently evil; but the love of money is (1 Timothy 6:10). Wealth can be a great blessing or a great curse that can be used to serve God or as a god to be served. Let’s not be fooled, the god of money is a thief. It will steal my time, my energy, my thoughts, and my relationships for there is never enough money for those who love money. Worldly wealth, like all idols, demands much but offers nothing of eternal value. Wisdom reminds me that earthly riches evaporate over time and she calls me to seek that which is real and eternal. Will I listen?
Lord give me the wisdom and strength to resist the pull of riches. Help me cling to you so I might be renewed and refreshed by your Spirit and not seek false promises of money. Teach me to listen to you so I might serve and honor you.
Proverbs 23:6-7 NIV
[6] Do not eat the food of a begrudging host, do not crave his delicacies; [7] for he is the kind of person who is always thinking about the cost. “Eat and drink,” he says to you, but his heart is not with you.
The interesting thing about this is its advice for the partaker of the food. But I say it’s also a reminder for a host. Sometimes I fuss about the cost of things and this reminder is for me to be generous. It goes to what Bill is saying about the money above. Wow isn’t it amazing how all these verses we’ve read over the years have different impact based on the timing of reading them. God may I be generous and not pursue riches that will “fly off”.
Saying 12
12 Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to words of knowledge.
This verse really spoke to me today. It reminded me that I don’t have all the answers and I need to pay attention to instruction that is being being given me and to listen to words of wisdom when shared with me. I pray God will guide me to be able to recognize wisdom when it is offered up to me.