(Proverbs 30:15 KJV) The horseleach hath two daughters, crying, Give, give. There are three things that are never satisfied, yea, four things say not, It is enough:
I have lived most of my life in Southern California. It is semi-arid with no places that I know of where a “leech” (5936) would thrive. I only heard about them on vacation and I am not sure if I have ever seen one in real life. They are bloodsuckers. They live by pulling the life blood out of other creatures. My understanding is that they never let go, even in death.
We run into people like that. They don’t want to give. They make no contribution. All they will do is demand and take. Our modern welfare system has been guilty of creating a whole class of people who have developed an attitude that we have an official title for: Entitlements. I am in the process of signing up for Social Security and Medicare. They are entitlements. We think we deserve them. Maybe. Maybe not. Most of us have paid into the system for years and feel like we are entitled to some fulfillment of the contract.
Our welfare system goes beyond that. It starts with the best of intentions. The purpose is to help people in need. That is good. The problem is that it quickly moves from aiding the needy to rewarding sloth and indolence. When charity was in the hands of the church there were natural safety features that encouraged people to get back on their feet. In the government system the tendency is the other direction. What would happen if the social workers of the world were suddenly successful? They would all lose their jobs. Can you spell “conflict of interest”?
So? As Christians we need to find the line between giving people what they want and giving them what they need. Rarely are they the same thing.
Sunday, April 30, 2017
Saturday, April 29, 2017
Pick a Category
(Proverbs 29:19 KJV) A servant will not be corrected by words: for though he understand he will not answer.
“Slave NASB” (5650) or “servant KJV”? To us they are two different concepts but in the Old and New Testaments they are interchangeable. Part of that is a view of social class that was different. Part is an understanding that we are all in submission to something. Modern Americans with their John Wayne, macho mind set tend to think that we are totally free. The Bible does not look at it that way. In the Bible the masses are controlled by sin. That is why the world is in a handbasket on a journey. The only hope is to submit to the lordship of Jesus. As Jesus Himself said,
So? Whom do you serve? Who is your master? Don’t be afraid to be a slave. You are anyway.
“Slave NASB” (5650) or “servant KJV”? To us they are two different concepts but in the Old and New Testaments they are interchangeable. Part of that is a view of social class that was different. Part is an understanding that we are all in submission to something. Modern Americans with their John Wayne, macho mind set tend to think that we are totally free. The Bible does not look at it that way. In the Bible the masses are controlled by sin. That is why the world is in a handbasket on a journey. The only hope is to submit to the lordship of Jesus. As Jesus Himself said,
(Matthew 6:24 KJV) No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.The only way to belong to Jesus is to give Him your heart, soul, mind and strength. Words alone won’t cut it.
So? Whom do you serve? Who is your master? Don’t be afraid to be a slave. You are anyway.
Friday, April 28, 2017
Beware the Proud Heart
(Proverbs 28:25 KJV) He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in the LORD shall be made fat.
Arrogance is one of the sources of “strife” (4066). It is of interest to me that this is the same word that is repeatedly translated “contentious” when referring to wives that trouble a marriage. Some people are so full of themselves that they have only one mode and that is the demand to have their own way and everyone else is wrong. This obviously leads to a lot of friction. In a marriage it is deadly. In other relationships it is divisive and destructive.
Unlike marriage, you can often walk away from the arrogant person in every day life. You can move to a new home, get a new job, change churches and so forth. The reminder for us is to work at not being the “arrogant” (7342) one in a social contact.
So? I am not sure how to tell if I am arrogant. Like going senile, you are probably the last to know. I would suggest taking it seriously when someone tells you to come down off your high horse. Give it serious thought. It could be that they are the arrogant one trying to manipulate you. It could also be a moment of sincere rebuke that needs to be prayerfully considered.
Arrogance is one of the sources of “strife” (4066). It is of interest to me that this is the same word that is repeatedly translated “contentious” when referring to wives that trouble a marriage. Some people are so full of themselves that they have only one mode and that is the demand to have their own way and everyone else is wrong. This obviously leads to a lot of friction. In a marriage it is deadly. In other relationships it is divisive and destructive.
Unlike marriage, you can often walk away from the arrogant person in every day life. You can move to a new home, get a new job, change churches and so forth. The reminder for us is to work at not being the “arrogant” (7342) one in a social contact.
So? I am not sure how to tell if I am arrogant. Like going senile, you are probably the last to know. I would suggest taking it seriously when someone tells you to come down off your high horse. Give it serious thought. It could be that they are the arrogant one trying to manipulate you. It could also be a moment of sincere rebuke that needs to be prayerfully considered.
Thursday, April 27, 2017
Soul Food
(Proverbs 27:7 KJV) The full soul loatheth an honeycomb; but to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.
This is a verse about balance. Notice that two souls are held up for sampling. I say “souls” instead of “man” (5315) because that is the word. The KJV is more accurate here. The Hebrew is “nephesh” which is usually translated “soul”. This is referring to the basic inner nature or core of your being. The two examples are extremes. The word is to not be in either extreme.
What is the problem with extremes? They drive us to make bad choices. They jumble our priorities. Here the example is one we can understand. We know what it is to eat so much of our favorite food that we don’t want any more. We know what it is to be ready to eat anything. The principle is one that should be applied to every area of our lives from leisure to purchases.
So? Keep your eye on the center line. Pretend you are on a narrow bridge in the fog and all you can see it the yellow line outside your window. They usually don’t lead you over the edge.
This is a verse about balance. Notice that two souls are held up for sampling. I say “souls” instead of “man” (5315) because that is the word. The KJV is more accurate here. The Hebrew is “nephesh” which is usually translated “soul”. This is referring to the basic inner nature or core of your being. The two examples are extremes. The word is to not be in either extreme.
What is the problem with extremes? They drive us to make bad choices. They jumble our priorities. Here the example is one we can understand. We know what it is to eat so much of our favorite food that we don’t want any more. We know what it is to be ready to eat anything. The principle is one that should be applied to every area of our lives from leisure to purchases.
So? Keep your eye on the center line. Pretend you are on a narrow bridge in the fog and all you can see it the yellow line outside your window. They usually don’t lead you over the edge.
Wednesday, April 26, 2017
A Word to the Not-Wise
(Proverbs 26:5 KJV) Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.
“Fools” (3684) need to be kept in their place. I am sure there are many ways to do it but this verse seems to be telling us not to encourage their foolishness. This seems to be calling for us to get aggressive about keeping them from running away with the show.
What do you do when the fools outnumber you? What do you do when they are in charge? We can’t be aggressive in those circumstances but we are still called to be honest.
So? Pay careful attention to your situation. Truth does not change. When people will listen does.
“Fools” (3684) need to be kept in their place. I am sure there are many ways to do it but this verse seems to be telling us not to encourage their foolishness. This seems to be calling for us to get aggressive about keeping them from running away with the show.
What do you do when the fools outnumber you? What do you do when they are in charge? We can’t be aggressive in those circumstances but we are still called to be honest.
So? Pay careful attention to your situation. Truth does not change. When people will listen does.
Tuesday, April 25, 2017
All Around Righteousness
(Proverbs 25:5 KJV) Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness.
I don’t know how you read this without thinking of politics. We all have a tendency to evaluate how our leaders are doing based on our personal opinions. We assume our personal opinions are the best because they are ours. We interpret the standards of God for our own convenience. While we do that righteousness still exists. Right and wrong still exist.
We don’t seem to be able to get leaders who do more than pay lip service to eternal standards. They go to church and live life as it pleases them. We should be encouraging them to pick the right people for support. If we could surround the president with godly people then the advice would keep pushing in the right direction.
So? The presidential election is behind us but we have lot of voting at different levels that is still to come. Keep praying and voting. Be salt.
I don’t know how you read this without thinking of politics. We all have a tendency to evaluate how our leaders are doing based on our personal opinions. We assume our personal opinions are the best because they are ours. We interpret the standards of God for our own convenience. While we do that righteousness still exists. Right and wrong still exist.
We don’t seem to be able to get leaders who do more than pay lip service to eternal standards. They go to church and live life as it pleases them. We should be encouraging them to pick the right people for support. If we could surround the president with godly people then the advice would keep pushing in the right direction.
So? The presidential election is behind us but we have lot of voting at different levels that is still to come. Keep praying and voting. Be salt.
Monday, April 24, 2017
Asking for It
(Proverbs 24:6 KJV) For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counsellors there is safety.
Life is full of conflict and challenges. We have phrases such as “battle of the bands”, “gas war”, “conflict resolution” and many others that point out the competition in a free society between people with different priorities and values. Some may be just as insignificant as what to have for dinner. Others may involve surgical procedures. As Christians we are not above making mistakes or needing the advice of others.
It is not a sign of weakness to seek counsel. Often it is a sign of wisdom. We often take input without thinking about it. We read body language and tones of voice. Other times we have to make a point of asking serious questions.
So? In regard to the Lord we are told to ask, seek and knock. That can sometimes be done when we seek the accumulated wisdom in other believers. It doesn’t make us less, it makes us more.
Life is full of conflict and challenges. We have phrases such as “battle of the bands”, “gas war”, “conflict resolution” and many others that point out the competition in a free society between people with different priorities and values. Some may be just as insignificant as what to have for dinner. Others may involve surgical procedures. As Christians we are not above making mistakes or needing the advice of others.
It is not a sign of weakness to seek counsel. Often it is a sign of wisdom. We often take input without thinking about it. We read body language and tones of voice. Other times we have to make a point of asking serious questions.
So? In regard to the Lord we are told to ask, seek and knock. That can sometimes be done when we seek the accumulated wisdom in other believers. It doesn’t make us less, it makes us more.
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