Who Wouldn't Want That?

Proverbs 1:1 The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel;

Chapter one starts off with Solomon; why is it so important to know what Solomon had to say?

1 Kings 3:7 And now, O Lord my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in.

1 Kings 3:9 Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?

1 Kings 3:12 Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee.

We should take note of what Solomon has to say because God made him to be the wisest man that has ever lived. Therefore what he has to say will teach me how to live as well as what decisions to make in this life. After we are told that we are to read the proverbs of Solomon the first two words we read in verse two are "To Know." If I listen to the instructions of Solomon then I will receive instruction of wisdom, justice, judgment and equity; (the quality of being fair.)

Proverbs 1:2 To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding;

I'm to know then I will become aware of words of understanding. Who wouldn't want that?

Outrageous Anger

Proverbs 27:1 Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.

BOAST➡ To exalt one's self, magnify or exalt.⬅

Do not brag about tomorrow, because you don't know what the next day will bring forth. The Lord said "Give us this day."

Proverbs 27:2 Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips.

PRAISE➡ To commend; to applaud;⬅

First we are told not to brag on ourselves and then in the next verse it is reinforced; don't applaud yourself. Don't waste your time patting yourself on the back, let someone else do it.

Proverbs 27:4 Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand before envy?

WRATH➡ The effects of anger⬅

ENVY ➡ discontent excited by the sight of another's superiority or success, accompanied with some degree of hatred.⬅

Anger effects are cruel, and fury is outrageous, but who is able to stand before discontent excited by the sight of another's superiority or success, accompanied with some degree of hatred?

Proverbs 27:8 As a bird that wandereth from her nest, so is a man that wandereth from his place.

WANDER➡ In a moral sense, to stray; to deviate; to depart from duty or rectitude.⬅

Like a bird that wanders from their place of security and the comfort of their home, their familiar surroundings. So is the man that strays from their morals and departs from their duty. The beginning of this departing is so subtle almost unnoticed, it starts with a thought; wouldn't it be nice to_________! Or just a little ________! And before you know it you are caught in the trap and have allowed yourself to wander far away to, places you never intended to go.

Don't boast, don't pat yourself on the back for you may get outrageous with your anger and find yourself in places you never intended to be. It's just a trap to get you to fail. 

Do What?

Proverbs 26:1 As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is no seemly for a fool.

What would you think if you heard the weather man say that we could expect 3 to 4 inches of snow by daylight? Not to much if it was January but what if was July? Now that would be impossible living in the U.S.! What if the farmer were to decide to go out in the rain to harvest his crop? That wouldn't be a bright idea for much of his hard work would be wasted by what he would destroy in the process. As uncommonly as it would to have snow in summer or seeing a farmer harvesting his crop in the rain. The same would be true to honour to fool for all the foolish he or she has preformed. We are giving this long deserved award to ______for they're get accomplishment in being never on time, destroying more of our companies machinery than anyone, never paying attention to instructions, and by their actions alone have caused at least two known deaths. Let’s give a big round of applause for this great FOOL. This would never happen. We must be careful to whom we give honor too!

Romans 13:7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due ; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.

A Good Name; Pricless

Proverbs 22:1 A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.

If I had a choice of great riches; I don't know maybe millions of dollars or a good name which would I choose? It's easy to say "A good name" for no one is offering me millions of dollars. If today I had the opportunity, lots of money or a good name which would I choose? Would I think once I have the cash I will rebuild a good name? If this is the way I'm thinking then I believe I have missed what is being taught here. I see two things here; first how much would I be willing to sale my name for? In order to have a good name one must do something, if you want your car to shine you must put the time into waxing it. If you want a good name you must put time into having one. A bad name comes with a price tag; Judas sold his for 30 pieces of silver. Second riches have wings, loving favour doesn't. 

 Proverbs 23:5 Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven. What will I choose today? Riches or good name? Something that will fly away or something that will last, even after I'm gone? Will I be remembered for my wealth or will my name be wealthy to the minds of those I touched? Will I be remembered like Judas or as one who loved Jesus? Such deep questions for a worldly mind! I think I'll word toward the good name. One might say "then you'll never have anything worthwhile?" To which I would say "yes I would for I'll have a good night’s rest" and that my friend is priceless! 

Do Right

Proverbs 21:3 To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.

Doing what is right and fair is more acceptable to The Lord than offering sacrifice.

Samuel put it this way:

1 Samuel 15:22 And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord ? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.

Sacrificing our time, money and talents is wonderful but if we fail to do that which is right and fair towards others then we aren't obeying The Lord.

Bob Jones senior said  "It's never right to do wrong in order to get a chance to do right." Do Right in our Talk, Do Right in our walk for The Lord, Do Right in our business with our Customers, why should one pay more just because they can for the same service or product we sale or do for less to those who can't afford it. What would be the goal for doing such an act?  Would it be right to rob a bank if you gave all the money to a needy work for The Lord? No that's doing wrong in order to a chance to do good. I do service work therefore when the cost of the work is more than the base price. I must be careful not to price the work higher because of what I see the customer has. It's better to be fair and do right.

Luke 6:31 And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.

Rule "how do I want others to treat me?" "Then I must treat others with the same respect and attitude."

The CEO

Would you say that God is our CEO? If that is what you believe then would you say that you're His representative out doing his work? Sounds right, God in His office you and I on the streets representing Him with His support; what could be better? That's it, a little truth with a little feel good or should I say lye.

2Corinthians 6:1    We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain

What! Workers together with Him. What, no office! we are workers together, co-laborers, God and I working together? We don't report to God in His big office we work with Him. We don't check in to get our daily assignments, no He is with us, I guess He really meant what He said.

Hebrews 13:5    Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

So when you I step out the door this morning on our way to do whatever. Remember you're not by yourself we are in His presence, He's working with us as He works on us.

Confused

Proverbs 15:32 He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding.

Here we read of one who refuses instruction and the results of doing so are they despise their own soul.

DESPISE ➡ to look down on with contempt or aversion, to regard as negligible, worthless, or distasteful.⬅What's the instruction of this chapter that will keep us from becoming worthless or distasteful?

#⃣1⃣ V-2 Our TONGUE

Proverbs 15:2 The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.

#⃣2⃣ V-11 Our HEART

Proverbs 15:11 Hell and destruction are before the Lord : how much more then the hearts of the children of men?

#⃣3⃣ V-19 Our WAYS

Proverbs 15:19 The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain.

#⃣4⃣ V-26 Our WORDS

Proverbs 15:26 The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord : but the words of the pure are pleasant words.

#⃣5⃣ V-30 Our EYES

Proverbs 15:30 The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: and a good report maketh the bones fat.

#⃣6⃣ V-31 Our EARS

Proverbs 15:31 The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise.

Don't refuse the instruction from The Lord.

Proverbs 12:15- The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.

Proverbs 16:17-The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul.