Casting Pearls

(Proverbs 9:8 KJV)  Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.

In the next few verses Solomon gives advice but also explains something that is troubling to many of us.  The popular saying is “the rich get richer and the poor get poorer”.  Jesus reminded us,

(John 12:8 KJV)  For the poor always ye have with you; but me ye have not always.

Proverbs has numerous reference to the poor.  It almost seems like there are some people who are locked in and can never dig out.  This passage reminds us that there are some people whom we cannot help because they refuse to change.

Some people refuse to listen.  Some people hate you when you try to help.  Others will take your advice and move forward.  That is an application of something else Jesus said.

(Matthew 25:29 KJV)  For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.

So?  We are to be generous but we are also to be discerning.  When possible, and it isn’t always, target those who have the wisdom to listen to wisdom.  Don’t feel like you must right every wrong.  In some situations it is like the person who would correct the grammar in books she was reading.  The book refused to listen. 

Having Pity

(Proverbs 19:17 KJV)  He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.

Why are we to reach out and help those who are less fortunate?  In an ideal world it would simply be because we are wonderful people, we feel like it.  This tells us God will reward us.  It goes deeper than that.  God takes it personally.  Consider these words:

(Hebrews 13:2 KJV)  Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

There are places where the Bible infers that angels are moving and acting among us.  Even more personal,

(Matthew 25:40 KJV)  And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

We serve each other and we serve the poor because when we do we do it for Jesus.

So?  Motivation and action go together.  Have you ever felt like you have been taken advantage of?  Live with it and do what is right. 

Legal Theft

(Proverbs 22:23 KJV)  For the LORD will plead their cause, and spoil the soul of those that spoiled them.

In the NASB you have to go to the marginal reading to get the parallel that the KJV has out in the open.  The KJV says that God will “spoil” (6906) those who “spoil” the poor.  The NASB uses two words in English, “take” and “rob”, to convey the same idea. 

There are many ways to rob people.  Some are legal.  You can write a contract that takes advantage of the unwary.  You can establish schools that don’t teach.  You can offer welfare programs that weaken instead of strengthen.  You can promise and then squirm out on a technicality.

As God’s children we are not allowed to take that route.  If people are struggling we are to be supportive not a big sucking sound on their lives.  Jesus expressed it in the positive and the negative.  The negative seems more in tune with this verse.

(Matthew 25:45 KJV)  Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.

So?  Go forth and do good.  Do it because God has worked a miracle in your life and you want to glorify Him, not because you are keeping score. 

Do What You Know

(Proverbs 15:9 KJV)  The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the LORD: but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness.

We do not need to know every subtle bend in the road to avoid evil.  We have clear commands given in the word.  If we follow those obvious commands the subtle variations and blind spots will be covered.  Remember when Jesus was talking to the sheep and the goats in Matthew 25.  Both of them asked the same question.

(Matthew 25:44 KJV)  Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?

Both were prepared to take care of Jesus because that was the obvious move to make.  Only the righteous sheep obeyed when they didn’t think Jesus was watching.

So?  To get a driver’s license you need a basic knowledge of the law.  You don’t need to know the law code numbers or exact wording.  To live for Jesus you also need to know the basics.  The manual has been provided.