How much wealth buys salvation?

Proverbs 11:4 “Wealth is worthless in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death.” Your and my assets are not even as valuable as a speck of gold on the head of a pin to offer our God to gain salvation.  Our salvation comes from faith.  Our Savior and the righteousness He bought with His blood is our golden prize and is the most valuable possession we have.  Fame and fortune are not only meaningless, but they can also be destructive.  Never admire fame and fortune.  Always admire the lifesaving faithfulness evidenced by God’s children—of which you are one.  Praise God! Have a great weekend.

Honesty (Integrity) vs. deceitfulness (duplicity)

Proverbs 11:3 “The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity. How valuable to you is your reputation?  Do you realize that everything you do defines your reputation?  Aside from your faith, your reputation is your most valuable possession.  Who you are guides your entire life.  Do you daily ask yourself—how does what I am doing affect my reputation?  If you have not asked yourself that question—you should, for the answer defines you.

Pride vs. humility

Proverbs 11:2 “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.” Let others tell you of their appreciation for your efforts, but never allow that praise affect the purpose of your cause because that praise could have been criticism and could have left you distraught and deeply damaged your efforts.  Always be wise in your causes and purpose while letting humility and wisdom reign with your Savior walking at your side.

Expectations and hopes

Proverbs 10:28 “The prospect of the righteous is joy, but the hopes of the wicked come to nothing.” There is a natural desire for all of humanity to live a happy and successful life.  The formula for such a life is clearly defined in this passage.  All one has to do is live a life with our Savior at the center and continually focus on the principles clearly defined by our Heavenly Father.  A life of joy is available to all—-why not grab that life and never let go!

Two choices

Proverbs 10:23 “A fool finds pleasure in evil conduct, but a man of understanding delights in wisdom.” To be a student of foolish pleasure or a student learning and practicing wise council is a choice each of us makes many times a day.  Are we aware of that truth or do we live as if choices are arbitrary and pleasure is really what matters?  Although pleasures can be a wonderful gift from our Heavenly Father, we should love being wise every second of our lives.

God’s blessings

Proverbs 10:22 “The blessing of the Lord brings wealth, and he adds no trouble to it.” Is having lots of money and being recognized everywhere you go the epitome of a great life?  Yes, it is if you have a total lack of understanding and wisdom.  What is the greatest of blessings?  Trips, nice cars, beautiful home-maybe a couple, buying power, fashionable clothes–these are definitely blessings, BUT, the greatest blessing on this earth is peace and contentedness.  Those blessings only come with a close and loving relationship with your Heavenly Father.  Work hard on attaining the true definition of wealth. Have a great weekend.

Talk exposes

Proverbs 10:19 “When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.” Who do you look forward to listening to?  Who do you not look forward to listening to?  Do people look forward to hearing from you?Exposing wisdom is not always our goal in speaking—but it should be.  Teaching, caring for, helping others and serving our Savior in our daily lives, in our daily words, with wisdom, should be the goal of every Christian.

Who enjoys discipline?

Proverbs 10:17 “He who heeds discipline shows the way to life, but whoever ignores correction leads others astray.” Is God really saying discipline is very good?  Absolutely He is saying that.  Without discipline at all ages of life only chaos is the result.  Have you seen a child out of control?  Or a man out of control?  Or an elderly person destitute?  All three cases involving different phases of life display a lack of discipline.  Life could be much more enjoyable with discipline.  Abuse is the result of discipline’s absence.  Success and honor are lost when discipline is missing.  Learn to love discipline.

Why think?

Proverbs 9:14 “Wise men store up knowledge, but the mouth of a fool invites ruin.” Thinking about the effects of what one has to say before speaking is the trait of a wise person.  Listening carefully and understanding what is being said before responding is also a sign of a wise person.  Listen, learn and gain knowledge are all traits of a wise person.  Be careful to never fall into the trap of the second half of this passage.

Our walk

Proverbs 10:9 “The man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked paths will be found out.” Honesty or uprightness or integrity are all synonyms for the character all of us should practice as a natural part of our lives.  Just the opposite is ruinous and will destroy anyone’s trust.  Always be honest.  Simple, extremely valuable truth. Have a great weekend. 

Is this self evident?

Proverbs 10:4 “Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth.” Every human adult with normal mental capacity has the responsibility of being accountable at the least for themselves.  When the least of responsibilities is ignored only failures result.  Life becomes purposeless and despondency results.  When the opposite is practiced and a purposeful life is lived, wealth, contentedness and joy are realized.  Imagine including the love and blessing of our Heavenly Father.  Life doesn’t get better and one’s future couldn’t look brighter.

Wisdom=joy; Foolishness=grief

Proverbs 10:1 “A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son grief to his mother.” Parenting and leading is not easy.  Those of you who are parents—have you had the continual thought—how can I expose my God-given children to think wisdom?  To those in a leadership position—do you think—how can I teach wisdom?  If that type of wise thinking is continually exposed and is grasped by the one intended to gain, the result will be a joy and a life full of reward for wisdom is a treasure chest without measure.