WHICH LIFESTYLE DESCRIBES YOURS?
Saturday, 23rd July 2016
Proverbs 10: 1-32 (NKJV)
A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish son is the grief of his mother.
2. Treasures of wickedness profit nothing, but righteousness delivers from death.
3. The Lord will not allow the righteous soul to famish, but He casts away the desire of the wicked.
4. He who has a slack hand becomes poor, but the hand of the diligent makes rich.
5. He who gathers in summer is a wise son; He who sleeps in harvest is a son who causes shame.
6. Blessings are on the head of the righteous, but violence covers the mouth of the wicked.
7. The memory of the righteous is blessed, but the name of the wicked will rot.
8. The wise in heart will receive commands, but a prating fool will fall.
9. He who walks with integrity walks securely, but he who perverts his ways will become known.
10. He who winks with the eye causes trouble, but a prating fool will fall.
11. The mouth of the righteous is a well of life, but violence covers the mouth of the wicked.
12. Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all sins.
13. Wisdom is found on the lips of him who has understanding, but a rod is for the back of him who is devoid of understanding.
14. Wise people store up knowledge, but the mouth of the foolish is near destruction.
15. The rich man’s wealth is his strong city; the destruction of the poor is their poverty.
16. The labor of the righteous leads to life, the wages of the wicked to sin.
17. He who keeps instruction is in the way of life, but he who refuses correction goes astray.
18. Whoever hides hatred has lying lips, and whoever spreads slander is a fool.
19. In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is wise.
20. The tongue of the righteous is choice silver; The heart of the wicked is worth little.
21. The lips of the righteous feed many, But fools die for lack of wisdom.
22The blessing of the Lord makes one rich, and He adds no sorrow with it. …
Our text today contrasts the righteous and the wicked lifestyles. A son is either wise or foolish. A wise son gives joy to his parents while a foolish son brings pain to his parents (v. 1). Money obtained illegally does not last but a life of righteous living delivers from death (v. 2). God will not allow the righteous to go hungry as the Psalmist confirms in Psalms 37: 25, but He throws away the substance of the wicked. A lazy and careless man will be poor while a diligent and proactive person succeeds. Since a man reaps what he sows, the righteous lifestyle attracts God’s blessings while the wicked lifestyle attracts judgment (v. 6). Righteous living leads to safety and security while an unrighteous life leads to shame and ridicule (v. 9). The righteous person works to support life and help the poor, while the wicked work to satisfy their appetite for sin (v. 16).
Am I a wise child or a foolish one? Am I quick to cut corners and make illegal money? Does my life attract God’s blessings or poverty and judgment? If our lives are not right before God, please let us repent of our sins and ask Christ for forgiveness today.
Prayer: My Father, help me to live a righteous life in Jesus name. Amen.