trust

Proverbs 11:28 “Those who trust in their riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf.” You all have heard the picture of a hearse is never followed by a U-Haul truck.  What then does follow a hearse?  Nothing.  While on this earth value is in a righteous person being faith filled with the goal of eternal life in heaven.  Blessings on earth abound yet, Heaven is our Home.

Generosity

Proverbs 11:24 “One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.” Have you ever heard of a hoarder becoming wealthy because they keep and save everything they possibly can?  Never happens.Have you ever heard of a person who is generous with their wealth becoming wealthier?  Generosity is never regretted while hoarding is always detrimental.  The obvious: Be generous.

Integrity vs. Duplicity

Proverbs 11:3 “The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.” Deception, manipulation, betrayal, duplicity, fraud, dishonesty, two-faced are all synonyms for the thought of a dishonest nature often found in those who lack faithfulness.  All of these words describe failure; yet, they all describe common human behavior.A Christian will never be involved in the above but will rather live with honesty, wholesomeness, integrity, trustworthiness and ethics.  One would have to live such a life to represent their Savior.

Want to be wise? Then….

Proverbs 11:2 “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.” It cannot be stressed enough the importance of walking humbly, faithfully and honorably with our Heavenly Father.  Humility is one of those deep words like hope and love.  Eliminate any one of these words and life is turned upside down.  With making these 3 words a piece of our being and life becomes God pleasing.  What could be better? Have a great weekend.

Honesty

Proverbs 11:1 “The Lord detests dishonest scales, but accurate weights find favor with him.” Cheating is never rewarded.  Why, if that statement is so obviously true is cheating so commonplace?  Answer: Man fails to realize the overwhelming blessings which can come from simply being truthful and honest.  Man falsely thinks comfort comes from being self centered and pride filled while ignoring the truths of humility, honesty and walking humbly with our God.  Let’s be wise and walk humbly with our Heavenly Father.

Listen and speak carefully

Proverbs 10:31 “From the mouth of the righteous comes the fruit of wisdom, but a perverse tongue will be silenced.” No one questions that fruit is sweet like honey.  Fruit is an enjoyable and healthy part of everyone’s diet.  One can live without eating fruit, but there is no logical reason to do that.  God calls wisdom fruit.  Wisdom is to be enjoyed as a healthy ingredient of life.  Why would a person possibly want to live without the joy and delicious sweetness of wisdom?  We want to be God’s children who both listen carefully to gain wisdom and carefully study and expound only wise thought.

The future

Proverbs 10:28 “The prospect of the righteous is joy, but the hopes of the wicked come to nothing.” You and I are concerned about our present life, but we are also concerned about our future.  Our present was at one time our future, so we could all ask—how are we preparing for our future?  Are we continually living life to have a closer and deeper relationship with our Heavenly Father or are we nonchalant about that relationship?  Our answer to that question will determine our present and future contentedness and happiness.

Storms of life

Proverbs 10:25 “When the storm has swept by, the wicked are gone, but the righteous stand firm forever.” When God created this world He intended perfection.  When Adam and Eve fell all life changed.  The result became storm after storm.  Men, women, children–all now live in a world where life has its continual struggles.  Where do you and I find relief?  Only in the faithful and wonderful love of our Father who freely gives a rock solid righteousness.  We live secure in the arms of our Father.

Delight in wisdom

Proverbs 10:23 “A fool finds pleasure in wicked schemes, but a person of understanding delights in wisdom.” Would you rather go to the casino to gain wealth or work wisely and accumulate investment rewards?  Would you rather help others or expect that others should support you?  Would you like to live thinking God’s unconditional love will protect you or will you read your Bible and gain a close relationship with your Heavenly Father?  Where do you expect to find wisdom–from this world or from your relationship with God? Have a great weekend.

God’s blessings

Proverbs 10:22 “The blessing of the Lord brings wealth, without painful toil for it.” God’s blessings are emotional, spiritual, physical, financial, temporal and eternal. Every person who places their confidence in their Savior enjoys blessings received as an adopted and loved child of our Heavenly Father.  We receive these blessings solely because of the gracious love God has for each of us.  How wonderfully blessed we all are.

Say less

Proverbs 10:19 “Sin is not ended by multiplying words, but the prudent hold their tongues.” Multiplying words does not multiply results—just the opposite.  In a wise person’s mind there is the thought of stating the truth and then allowing that truth to stand as wisdom has been expressed and no more need be said.  To babble on completely detracts from wisdom.

Discipline

Proverbs 10:17 “Whoever heeds discipline shows the way of life, but whoever ignores correction leads others astray.” Discipline gives direction.  Without direction life can only be chaotic and orderless.  Direction is totally essential if one is to lead a successful life as defined by our Heavenly Father.  God is our GPS.  But, some choose to drive aimlessly, ignoring what could have been an enjoyable and wonderful trip.  Every once in a while we will have a flat tire, but we do know where we are going.  Enjoy discipline.