(Proverbs 31:24 KJV) She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
This gives us a little picture window into life as it should be. Remember that this lady is described as a “virtuous woman” (KJV) or an “excellent wife” (NASB). Again we see her generating income. This is cottage industry and it is praised. This is small business and it is given as an example.
It is assumed that she is doing this work herself. There is no mention of sweat shops or employees. Earlier it talked about her household and her maidens but there is no mention of that here.
Small business is given good press in the scripture. This is free enterprise. This is buying and selling in a free market. It does not rule out large business. This is a positive, not a negative. The Bible does talk about economics and we do not find socialism and government control.
So? Be a faithful hard working citizen of earth and heaven. Find a way to be productive whether you are an employee or the boss.
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Feeble Excuses
(Proverbs 30:26 KJV) The conies are but a feeble folk, yet make they their houses in the rocks;
This is another one of those verses that make me scratch my head and go, “What?” It is part of four verses with contrasts. So what is the contrast here?
It can’t be that the “conies” (badgers NASB) (8227a) are hiding. That would not contrast with being un-mighty. Making the rocks a home would signify taking a strong defensive position. This would not be hiding but planning ahead in an area that is not your expertise.
Am I stretching? Sure, I am not Agur, the author of this Proverb. But go with it. We all have weak areas. We have skills or situations that do not play to our strengths. Get into the rocks. Find a way to compensate for you weakness by planning ahead. Position yourself so that you are as strong as possible.
So? We will all find areas that we feel helpless. Plan. Act. Trust. Maybe God will find a way to praise us for our organizational skills.
This is another one of those verses that make me scratch my head and go, “What?” It is part of four verses with contrasts. So what is the contrast here?
It can’t be that the “conies” (badgers NASB) (8227a) are hiding. That would not contrast with being un-mighty. Making the rocks a home would signify taking a strong defensive position. This would not be hiding but planning ahead in an area that is not your expertise.
Am I stretching? Sure, I am not Agur, the author of this Proverb. But go with it. We all have weak areas. We have skills or situations that do not play to our strengths. Get into the rocks. Find a way to compensate for you weakness by planning ahead. Position yourself so that you are as strong as possible.
So? We will all find areas that we feel helpless. Plan. Act. Trust. Maybe God will find a way to praise us for our organizational skills.
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
“How Do You Like My New Dress?”
(Proverbs 29:5 KJV) A man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth a net for his feet.
Whom does flattery trap? Who is the “he” of this verse? Who is being warned?
I think this is a warning for both sides. Today consider the one who “flatters” (2505b). It would seem that flattery is wrong in this context. I can’t be totally sure. Maybe your neighbor needs to be trapped. But this is not a glowing testimony.
The word has a root meaning of “smooth, slippery.” I get a picture in my mind of the snake oil salesman who has the glib tongue. He will say anything to make the sale. There is an obvious inference of a lack of honesty.
So? Be restrained when it comes to flattery. Our calling is to righteousness and this type of compliment is based on deception. Simple straight speech is our way. Of course that brings up the question of how you like your wife’s new dress.
Whom does flattery trap? Who is the “he” of this verse? Who is being warned?
I think this is a warning for both sides. Today consider the one who “flatters” (2505b). It would seem that flattery is wrong in this context. I can’t be totally sure. Maybe your neighbor needs to be trapped. But this is not a glowing testimony.
The word has a root meaning of “smooth, slippery.” I get a picture in my mind of the snake oil salesman who has the glib tongue. He will say anything to make the sale. There is an obvious inference of a lack of honesty.
So? Be restrained when it comes to flattery. Our calling is to righteousness and this type of compliment is based on deception. Simple straight speech is our way. Of course that brings up the question of how you like your wife’s new dress.
Monday, January 28, 2013
Second Nature Sharing
(Proverbs 28:27 KJV) He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.
We have just come through the Salvation Army Bell Ringer Season. A few Grinch Stores banned them but I still saw them around. I have a hard time walking by one of their kettles without putting something in. That is because I believe they are a worthy cause.
The believer “gives” (5414) to the “poor” (7326). This is an assumption. Being generous is one of the traits of a Christian. Sharing should be second nature.
My only qualification would be to try to discern who is really poor. Look for what used to be called the “worthy” poor. They are usually hard to find because they are not standing on street corners with their hand out. I don’t qualify giving to excuse us from helping. There are plenty of genuinely needy around. I am just saying that unless your resources are unlimited try to put what you have to the best use.
So? Give. Share. Help. And not just at Christmas time.
We have just come through the Salvation Army Bell Ringer Season. A few Grinch Stores banned them but I still saw them around. I have a hard time walking by one of their kettles without putting something in. That is because I believe they are a worthy cause.
The believer “gives” (5414) to the “poor” (7326). This is an assumption. Being generous is one of the traits of a Christian. Sharing should be second nature.
My only qualification would be to try to discern who is really poor. Look for what used to be called the “worthy” poor. They are usually hard to find because they are not standing on street corners with their hand out. I don’t qualify giving to excuse us from helping. There are plenty of genuinely needy around. I am just saying that unless your resources are unlimited try to put what you have to the best use.
So? Give. Share. Help. And not just at Christmas time.
Sunday, January 27, 2013
Open a Can of Rebuke
(Proverbs 27:5 KJV) Open rebuke is better than secret love.
Two unfortunate realities are expressed here. It would seem that both are common to the nature of man, not just modern culture. The first is that we are afraid to express honest correction to those who are in error.
Too often we are afraid to express “open” (1540) “rebuke” (8433b). Think about it. What has become the most frequently quoted scripture of the 21st century? “Judge not...” Actually it is a fragment of a scripture and just as we cannot build a Bible from a fragment of Dead Sea Scroll, we cannot build a life of righteousness on an isolated scrap of the Sermon on thee Mount.
One of the responsibilities we have as members of the body of Christ is correction of the brethren. It is often ignored, frequently misused and subject to abuse. It is also commanded.
So? Don’t go around looking for people to correct but be aware that there are times when one believer must help another stay on track.
Two unfortunate realities are expressed here. It would seem that both are common to the nature of man, not just modern culture. The first is that we are afraid to express honest correction to those who are in error.
Too often we are afraid to express “open” (1540) “rebuke” (8433b). Think about it. What has become the most frequently quoted scripture of the 21st century? “Judge not...” Actually it is a fragment of a scripture and just as we cannot build a Bible from a fragment of Dead Sea Scroll, we cannot build a life of righteousness on an isolated scrap of the Sermon on thee Mount.
One of the responsibilities we have as members of the body of Christ is correction of the brethren. It is often ignored, frequently misused and subject to abuse. It is also commanded.
So? Don’t go around looking for people to correct but be aware that there are times when one believer must help another stay on track.
Saturday, January 26, 2013
Biblical Affirmative Action
(Proverbs 26:21 KJV) As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.
In this verse we have a Biblical example of affirmative action. Notice that Solomon speaks here of a “contentious” (4066) “man” (376). This is the same word that is used repeatedly of the nagging wife. When it comes to sin and righteousness, gender knows no bounds.
I have experienced my share of being nagged. We all have. I respond different ways on different days. I find it very easy to succumb to the temptation to strike back. I feel an overwhelming need to defend myself. I call this a temptation advisedly. That kind of response is sin. This is the situation that Jesus is talking about when He said,
So? Resist evil by turning the other cheek and not sinning. An added benefit is that it will drive them crazy, but that is an unworthy motive.
In this verse we have a Biblical example of affirmative action. Notice that Solomon speaks here of a “contentious” (4066) “man” (376). This is the same word that is used repeatedly of the nagging wife. When it comes to sin and righteousness, gender knows no bounds.
I have experienced my share of being nagged. We all have. I respond different ways on different days. I find it very easy to succumb to the temptation to strike back. I feel an overwhelming need to defend myself. I call this a temptation advisedly. That kind of response is sin. This is the situation that Jesus is talking about when He said,
(Matthew 5:39 KJV) But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.This is for our everyday relationships. It is an attitude we are to have with people around us, not with the robber coming through the window.
So? Resist evil by turning the other cheek and not sinning. An added benefit is that it will drive them crazy, but that is an unworthy motive.
Friday, January 25, 2013
Servants of the Narrow Gate
(Proverbs 25:7 KJV) For better it is that it be said unto thee, Come up hither; than that thou shouldest be put lower in the presence of the prince whom thine eyes have seen.
Jesus described the way to salvation as narrow, both the gate and the road. That means we need to be careful where we walk. This verse gets into another area where we need to toe the line. It is a hard balance to find.
On one side we are earning recognition. We are to be good scouts, you have probably heard the Scout Law, even if you didn’t know what it was.
Yet we are to be willing to take second place. That is the hard part. Genuine humility is hard to maintain. I think that is why we are reminded so often by our Calvinist brothers that we are dirty rotten, no-good sinners. It helps us keep our perspective.
So? Be willing to serve. If you are moved into leadership or prominence, continue to serve. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you keep the balance and stay on the narrow road.
Jesus described the way to salvation as narrow, both the gate and the road. That means we need to be careful where we walk. This verse gets into another area where we need to toe the line. It is a hard balance to find.
On one side we are earning recognition. We are to be good scouts, you have probably heard the Scout Law, even if you didn’t know what it was.
A Scout is:It is like a listing of the fruit of the Spirit. You can’t act this way without making a splash. Millions of young men are working at this.
Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful,
Friendly, Courteous, Kind,
Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty,
Brave, Clean, Reverent
Yet we are to be willing to take second place. That is the hard part. Genuine humility is hard to maintain. I think that is why we are reminded so often by our Calvinist brothers that we are dirty rotten, no-good sinners. It helps us keep our perspective.
So? Be willing to serve. If you are moved into leadership or prominence, continue to serve. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you keep the balance and stay on the narrow road.
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