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𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐛𝐬 𝟏𝟗:𝟏𝟖

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐲 𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐰𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐡𝐨𝐩𝐞, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐥𝐞𝐭 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐲 𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐥 𝐬𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐜𝐫𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠.

Do you want a family tree to God’s glory, man’s benefit, and your children’s happiness? The Creator God and King Solomon gave you two crucial rules in this proverb. What a privilege to know two points of certain truth, but you must apply them to get their benefit.

Is there hope for your children? It depends how old they are. Once set in ways of sin, it is very hard to reverse their foolish thinking. It may take a miracle to recover them, and God has not promised miracles for lazy parents. Get serious today about child training.

Train your children today: tomorrow may be too late. Do not waste a single day. You do not have forever. They quickly grow beyond training, and then they are gone from your influence. Efforts to train or chasten then will likely provoke them. It will be too late.

God gave them to you helpless and open to instruction. He gave you a window of time to train them, which closes very quickly. Then you must pray for a miracle, which God has not promised to give, if you chose to ignore or reject His wisdom earlier in their lives.

The proverb has two clear lessons for you. Child training and its related chastening must be done early in a child’s life, and this chastening must be done firm enough to cause proper pain, without compromise for foolish parental pity or tearful appeals by the child.

Child training is not an option; it is a commandment (Pr 22:6; Ep 6:4). Chastening is not an option; it is a commandment (Pr 23:13-14; 29:15,17). Chastening is the use of punishment to produce pain for the enforcement and reinforcement of training.

Chasten. To inflict disciplinary or corrective punishment on; to visit with affliction for the purpose of moral improvement; to correct, discipline, chastise.

The corrective punishment God teaches here is by the use of the rod (Pr 13:24; 22:15; 23:13-14; 29:15). Horses are trained to run fast with a whip, or riding crop; asses are kept controlled and made useful by bridles; fools are corrected from foolishness by a rod (Pr 26:3; 10:13). Some stripes on the back are a wonderful training method, as many generations of sober Americans and others would testify, if they could (Pr 19:29; 20:30).

Due to the influence of confused Benjamin Spock, who renounced his hallucinations before he died, spanking with a rod is now considered abusive, barbaric, cruel, or Neanderthal. But it was once practiced by all nations with good results, just as Solomon clearly taught. Speaking on behalf of our grandparents that practiced such child training, consider Encyclopedia Britannica’s entry for flogging in its 14th edition:

FLOGGING has been one of the most universally utilized methods of punishing public crimes, as well as a means of preserving family, domestic, military and academic discipline.

What happened to this scriptural, wise, obvious, and universal method of discipline and training for much of society? It was thrown out in the bathwater along with God, the Bible, the Ten Commandments, prayer in schools, creation, balanced budgets, protection of the unborn, opposite s*x definition of marriage, personal responsibility, duty and honor, and a secondary education good enough to read and grasp the Federalist Papers.

There is not a better idea than spanking for chastening children. God settled the issue by King Solomon’s rules for child training in the book of Proverbs. History, observation, and common sense confirm the wisdom. You cannot improve on it, no matter how many or how educated its opponents may be. If you waste your children’s early years wishing or looking for a different approach, they will soon shame and trouble you (Pr 29:15,17).

Two generations now have neglected chastening, and youth today are haughty, selfish, lazy, rebellious, and undisciplined compared to their chastened grandparents. Traits not allowed one hundred years ago in any children are now the norm. Public, academic, and employment standards are reduced regularly to accommodate an undisciplined generation. The folly of modern parenting is coming home to roost on their offspring.

Children, daughters included, will be well behaved when they are old, if you train them when young (Pr 22:15). You must chasten them betimes – early in life, while there is hope, before it is too late (Pr 13:24). Dear parent, get a strong sense of urgency today.

Betimes. At an early time, period, or season; early in the year; early in life. In good time, in due time; while there is yet time, before it is too late.

Chastening is God’s method for training your children for godly and successful lives, but it must be done early in life. If you wait too long, children become hardened in rebellion, established in their own thoughts, formed in their own habits, resentful of corporal correction, and able to leave the home and live on their own. As you know from delayed civil punishment, men are hardened to do evil when it is not speedily executed (Ec 8:11)

You must begin when they are young, and then only reminders will be needed later. Self-discipline and right conduct can be taught early, and they must be taught early. Every year of life makes it more difficult to change habits and attitudes. Train them now, while they are young. Consistent chastening early will do more good than harder and more frequent chastening later. The earlier you begin, the less is required. Start today!

Training can begin in infancy, for Hannah delivered Samuel to the priests at Shiloh right after his weaning (I Sam 1:24-28). He was prepared to live away from home, follow instructions, and worship God from a very, very early age. Self-discipline, a key virtue, can be effectively taught by what may or may not be touched to a diapered pupil in a highchair. True parental love finds creative ways to accomplish much of the goal early.

You must chasten early, and you must chasten firmly. Do not let tears and crying move you, for children quickly learn to beg, plead, promise, cry, and scream to avoid discipline. Ignore his tears now to save him and you much worse crying later. The interruption of domestic tranquility for a few minutes now is much less than the calamity coming without it. Do not let anything distract or stop you from grasping this sober equation.

It is ungodly pity that hinders you from doing your duty for their happiness and good. Eli’s choice to compromise with his sons brought infinitely more pain to his entire family and him than any short difficulty that chastening would have caused. Consider it! When you ignore a child’s infraction or a character fault in order to have a peaceful evening after work, you are asking for many years without peace in the near future.

No good parent enjoys chastening his child, for he would much rather hold him tenderly or enjoy his happy company, depending on age. But the goal of saving him from hell in life must drive you to your duty. True love is not just hugs and kisses: true love is correction; withholding correction is hatred (Pr 13:24). If you truly love your children, you want their very best in a functional and prosperous life, which requires chastening.

If you spare the rod, you hate your son, for you create future pain and trouble for him in his life. This foolish choice will come back to haunt both of you (Pr 29:15). David chose to spare the rod on Adonijah, and it cost that foolish son his life (I Kgs 1:6; 2:23). Never sacrifice the future on the altar of the present, no matter your dislike of chastening. Make your child great in the future by chastening him in the present – today, if he needs it.

Exalting friendship with your children will lead to problems, for it will be hard to chasten with the right consistency and severity. You must first be a parent, and then you can be a friend. Chasten them, and you will bring rest to your soul; you will be able to take perpetual ease later when your chastening has earned it (Pr 29:17). Your fellowship with successful children in the future will be great (Pr 10:1; 15:20; 17:21,25; 19:13; 23:24-25).

Do you want a great family tree to God’s glory, man’s benefit, and family happiness? The Creator God inspired King Solomon to give you two crucial child training rules in this proverb. Have you grasped the lessons? Do you understand the value? Can you see the consequences of your choice? What a privilege to know two points of certain truth for your family’s success, but you must apply them to benefit from them.

If you have young children, there is hope today. Do not plan on tomorrow, for your case may soon be hopeless. If you have been negligent in the past, confess your sin fully to God and beg Him for mercy for children already past the point of hope. He does forgive and can mercifully help you recover the lost opportunity (Joel 2:25-27). There is always hope with God on your side, but God charged you to start their training when young.

True Christians are God’s sons by adoption through Jesus Christ (Gal 4:4-7), and He proves His love by chastening them when they disobey. He does have pity (Ps 103:13-14), but He chastens and scourges every adopted son (Heb 12:6). Chastening proves His love, for only bastards are ignored to go their own way (Heb 12:7-8). If you receive painful results for sin, on the inside or outside, you can know you are greatly loved.

https://letgodbetrue.com/proverbs/index/chapter-19/proverbs-19-18/

𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐛𝐬 𝟏𝟖:𝟖

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐚 𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐬 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐠𝐨 𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐲.

Gossip is sin, and it is cruel and painful sin. Spreading news about a person can ruin a reputation and destroy friendships. True love covers faults and failures; telling them is hateful wickedness. Protect others by keeping secrets to yourself and by silencing tattlers.

God hates talebearing, which is telling things about another person that should be kept private. It does not matter if the things are true or not. If they are not true, then telling is slander; if they are true, then it is talebearing. If there is not a very strong reason from God or an authority to disclose a personal matter, then keep negative information buried.

Talebearers spread private news about others; they are cruel and wicked. God considered this proverb important enough to repeat it (Pr 26:22). Learn the rule. Solomon also wrote, “A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter” (Pr 11:13). And, “He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets” (Pr 20:19).

Gossip and tattling at home and school used to be punished, for men once knew God’s law. He condemned talebearing by Moses in 1531 B.C. (Lev 19:16). Talebearing is the same as backbiting, tattling, and whispering in the Bible, four sins that are condemned as wickedness (Pr 16:28; 26:20-26; Ps 15:3; Rom 1:29-30; II Cor 12:20; I Tim 5:13).

Mothers used to say, “If you cannot say something good about another person, then say nothing at all about them.” This is precious advice from a generation that feared God and knew Bible wisdom. If only good and positive things were shared about others, just think how loving and unifying that would be for families, businesses, churches, and nations!

Talebearing hurts the reputation of the person with the private fault, sin, or event being told; it also hurts the person hearing the report, for it damages his opinion of his friend. The effects of this common sin are very destructive with deep, long-lasting consequences. The damage and pain occurs in the most inner parts, the heart and the soul (Pr 20:27,30).

Once you reveal private information, what can you do? It is near impossible to correct your sin. You cannot take back words you foolishly or maliciously let out of your mouth. Those that heard you cannot totally erase what you told them, no matter how much you ask them to try. You have wounded the character and reputation of another; you have undermined friendship or unity by revealing private information about others. This is sin!

This sin is the r**e of a man or woman’s name and person, which can last a lifetime, so the Bible warns against it often. Learn this lesson of noble character and never violate it. Never say anything critical of others, unless you have to for godly or authority reasons. Think positive things about others, so negative words never come out (Matt 12:34-37).

Telling personal information about others has become well accepted. It is honored as excellence in news reporting by the media. There are radio and television programs and Internet sites dedicated to spreading rumors and/or news about people, especially those in authority. This is one of the chief signs and symptoms of this despicable generation.

A talebearer tells secrets (Pr 11:13; 20:19). He, or often she, cannot keep the news to himself. He wants to spread it to damage the character and standing of another person or to gratify curiosity and be perceived as an informed person. Both motives are from hell! If you have a concern about another person, tell it to them alone (Pr 25:9; Matt 18:15).

What should you do, if a person starts to gossip in your presence? Solomon wrote, “The north wind driveth away rain: so doth an angry countenance a backbiting tongue” (Pr 25:23). You should first get angry to show them that you do not approve at all. If that does not work, tell them they are wrong. If they persist, then get away and stay away.

This proverb does not prevent informing an authority about a crime or potential crime. Calling the police about suspicious activities is not talebearing. Reporting a crime is not talebearing. Those in authority have a need for information. Only a little wisdom should see the huge difference between talebearing and helping authority (Gen 37:2; I Cor 1:11).

Love is an important part of the Christian religion (Col 3:12-15), and love will only do what is in the best interest of other persons, including keeping personal information secret (Pr 10:12; 17:9; I Pet 4:8). Love of others, their reputations, and their friendships should put a guard on your tongue. Your goal should be to build them up, not tear them down.

Many claim to be Christian, but the real evidence and proof is not in words, but in actions (Jas 2:14-20). True Christianity is more a lifestyle than a creed. And the single greatest evidence of Christianity is not faith, but love (Jn 13:34-35; I Cor 13:13). Love shows the greatest change in a person. God declared that a person learning to love others correctly, like never backbiting or talebearing, is greater than an apostle (I Cor 12:31; 13:1-7).

https://letgodbetrue.com/proverbs/index/chapter-18/proverbs-18-8/

𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐛𝐬 𝟏𝟕:𝟗

𝐇𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐡 𝐚 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐬𝐞𝐞𝐤𝐞𝐭𝐡 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞; 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐭𝐡 𝐚 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐭𝐡 𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐬.

Forgive and forget is love. Do you know how to win love and build friendships? They are arts taught by wisdom – they are learned behavior. All men are naturally arrogant, envious, hateful, malicious, selfish, and vengeful (Rom 1:29-31; II Tim 3:2-3; Tit 3:3).

Only God’s grace can save a man from his inherited evil tendencies from Adam. Then love and friendship can be learned by wisdom (Pr 8:9; 14:6; Tit 3:4-7). Dale Carnegie’s ideas on winning friends and influencing people are very inferior to Solomon’s wisdom.

Have you learned love and friendship? Are you a loving friend? Do others rejoice in your friendship? Do you have many friends? True love and friendship overlook and forget personal offences against you, but foolish men will bring them up and destroy peaceful relationships. True love and friendship never repeat a person’s failures or sins to others, but foolish men will be backbiting, talebearing, and whispering (Pr 10:12; 11:13; 16:28).

Covering a transgression is how you show love and win friends. It is forgiving and forgetting personal wrongs others do to you. A certainty of human relations is that others will irritate and offend you. But what you do with those personal transgressions is the key. By ignoring the provocations and slights of others, you esteem them more important than yourself – which is true love and friendliness (Phil 2:3; I Cor 13:4-7).

Wise men glory in opportunities to pass over personal transgressions by others; their discretion and self-control eliminate their anger (Pr 19:11). Nothing ruffles them, especially the minor irritations that commonly occur among men. They know they have been forgiven much, so it is easy for them to forgive others. They know they have beams in their eyes, so they do not worry about the minor specks in others’ eyes (Matt 7:3-5).

Covering a transgression is how you show love and win friends. It silences every backbiting tongue and drives away every talebearer and whisperer (Pr 11:13; 16:28; 18:8; 20:19; 25:23; 26:20-22; Ps 101:5). It refuses to repeat rumors or facts that degrade a person’s reputation. True love thinks no evil of others and does not rejoice when it hears of failures or sins in others’ lives (I Cor 13:4-7). Covering a transgression is burying news that reflects poorly on another’s character. Love protects the reputations of others.

Covering transgressions is not compromising with sin. If a man sins against the LORD, it must be dealt with differently than offences between men (I Sam 2:25; I Cor 5:1-5; 6:7). God’s rules for handling these greater matters are dealt with throughout the Scriptures. You should never cover or overlook sin against God to win or keep friends. The topic at hand is personal offences you may cover (Pr 19:11; Matt 5:38-48; 18:15-22; I Cor 6:1-8), or the failures and sins of others that are not your responsibility. If a man has repented of a sin, no matter how heinous, there is no love or profit in repeating it to others.

Arrogant and rebellious men will not learn the wisdom of covering personal offences, and ignorant and foolish men cannot learn it. Both pretend they must protect themselves by reminding others about faults and weaknesses. They believe they must avenge any slight they feel from others. They cannot let offences pass. They must remind others of their sins. They burn inside, sometimes for years, for slight offences. They must get revenge.

In order to justify themselves and demote others, they repeat any failure they hear about others. They have a burning heart that loves to hear gossip about others and spread it widely. They receive perverse pleasure by being able to insinuate and whisper about the sins of others. These wicked beasts do not know love and thus seldom have real friends.

Love and friendship begin in the heart. When others offend you, ignore it, even in your heart. When others slight you, ignore it, even in your heart. When others provoke you, think kind and merciful thoughts about them. Do not think of reprisal. Forget the matter. Do not plan an opportunity to bring it up. When others fail or have sin in their lives, do not gloat or glory about it. Be known only for repeating blessings and successes of others.

Love and friendship are best practiced at home. If you can be charitable, gracious, and merciful with siblings or a spouse, you can be so to any man. Children must be taught to overlook sibling offences rather than tattle or revenge them; they must be taught to never repeat sibling failures to others. They must learn to cover offences and seek love.

This proverb can enhance your marriage. Because marriage is a familiar and intimate relationship with another, you will know more of your spouse’s faults and failures than any other person. Can you cover, forgive, and overlook without saying anything? Or do you think that bringing up the matter again helps either you or them? You know nothing about love, and you will destroy your marriage by building walls between marital friends.

Ignore and overlook personal offences against you by others. Do not repeat rumors, gossip, or facts about others that put them in a bad light. Both of these are sins against Christian charity that destroy love and friendships. Let every man show the same forgiveness to others that God has shown to him (Eph 4:31-32). The joy and security of faults and failures being forgiven and forgotten are blessings of the Christian religion.

https://letgodbetrue.com/proverbs/index/chapter-17/proverbs-17-9/

𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐛𝐬 𝟏𝟔:𝟐𝟗

𝐀 𝐯𝐢𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐭𝐡 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐧𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐫, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐭𝐡 𝐡𝐢𝐦 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐠𝐨𝐨𝐝.

Do you understand violence? The word “violence”? The concept of violence? There is much more to it than, for example, the 2013 sequel in 3D of “Texas Chainsaw Massacre.”

Men love to categorize and rank sins to justify themselves, and this includes the word and concept of violence. Are you willing to let God and Solomon teach you wisdom here?

The context of this proverb has condemned an ungodly man for digging up evil about others and sharing it (Pr 16:27), a froward man for sowing strife, and a whisperer for separating close friends (Pr 16:28). The proverb at hand condemns a violent man.

Violence may certainly mean the use of physical force to cause bodily harm, to destroy property, or to interfere with personal freedom. However, violence may also mean other harm to people, such as corrupting their morals and leading them to do something wrong.

Both kinds of violence are wrong. Persons capable of either kind should be avoided. The methods of such men should be explained, identified, and condemned. Those who seek to hurt others in any way are wicked and should be clearly marked as dangerous to men.

Violent people are not content being violent themselves – they entice others to join them in their abuse and injury of others, whether bodily or morally (Pr 1:10-19). They use all sorts of invitations and justifications to convince the gullible to join them in their sins.

The result is “the way that is not good.” This is the figure of speech called meiosis or litotes: intentionally understating a thing (Pr 17:26; 18:5). Literally, violent people lead men to folly and wickedness, a result considerably worse than merely “not good.” God drowned the earth with the Flood for corrupting His way on the earth (Gen 6:11-13).

Consider an example. So-called family planning counselors advise women to abort their babies. These are violent persons in the bodily harm sense – they want to shed innocent blood, so they entice foolish women with premeditated lies to help murder their babies.

What about a young man using, “I love you,” to steal a girl’s virginity? Has he done her violence? He has reduced her value, and she can never get it back (Deut 21:14; 22:24,29). He did it by enticement, and he led her into fornication – another way that is not good.

The Bible speaks of marital violence when divorce laws are used to get rid of a covenant spouse to pursue someone else (Mal 2:16). God hates abuse of divorce laws to get out of a right marriage or to get into another – He calls it marital treachery (Mal 2:10-16).

The Bible speaks of violence to God’s law (Zep 3:4). False teachers that abuse scripture fit the proverb perfectly (Mal 2:7-8). Of course, they use enticing words to prey on the gullible, especially women (Rom 16:17-18; II Tim 3:6-7). Paul feared the churches at Ephesus and Corinth would fall to their enticements (Acts 20:28-31; II Cor 11:1-4).

Let the breadth of this proverb sober you – s*xual health advisors, a hot date with a cool guy, marriage counselors suggesting divorce, and popular pastors teaching false doctrine. Can you identify them? Have you marked them? Do you reject and avoid these and other evil seducers (II Tim 3:13; Gal 1:6-9)? Are you guilty of any of their violence?

Rather than the corrupt ways of evil seducers of any kind, look for the old paths and the good way, where you can please God and find rest for your soul (Jer 6:16). How can you find such ways? In God’s written word the Bible, which you should use to judge everything you hear, no matter how enticing it might sound (Ps 119:128; Isaiah 8:20).

Let the words of Jesus Christ keep you in the right way, never measuring by popularity, “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it” (Matt 7:13-14).

https://letgodbetrue.com/proverbs/index/chapter-16/proverbs-16-29/

𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐛𝐬 𝟏𝟓:𝟑

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐲𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐋𝐎𝐑𝐃 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞, 𝐛𝐞𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐥 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐠𝐨𝐨𝐝.

Where can you hide from God’s sight? David could not hide in heaven, hell, the farthest parts of the sea, or in darkness (Ps 139:7-12). God is everywhere to see everything (Jer 23:24; 32:19). He is not watching from a distance, as one pagan lied in her popular song.

What can you hide from God’s sight? David could not hide his thoughts, dreams, or even his unspoken words (Ps 139:1-6). God fully knows even the thoughts and intents of your heart (Pr 15:11; Heb 4:12-13). There is nothing of your life that you can hide from Him.

What will God overlook or approve? The LORD is in His holy temple. His eyelids see and hate all of your hypocrisies, sins, and evil thoughts (Ps 11:4; Hab 1:13). Though you may excuse your sins to others or influence them by other means, you cannot affect God.

No matter where you go or what you try to hide, the LORD Jehovah sees and knows it all. All your ways are naked and opened to His all-seeing eyes (Pr 5:21; Job 34:21-22; Heb 4:13). If you have secret sins that others do not know, He knows each one fully.

Young reader, what is hidden in your bedroom? God sees it, knows why you have it, and will curse you for it. Achan buried stolen stuff in his tent, but the Lord showed it to Joshua; he and his family were stoned to death and burned for it (Josh 7:1-26). What is hidden in your heart? God sees it and will punish you, unless you repent.

Be sure your sin will find you out! God gave Moses these precious words (Num 32:23). You cannot hide sin from God. He sees and knows it all, and you will pay for it. The eyes of the Lord should cause you to tremble in holy fear and hate any thought of sin.

Men have lied to themselves that God does not see (Job 22:13-14; Ps 10:11; 73:11; 94:7; Ezek 8:12; 9:9). Reject such dangerous folly, dear reader, for it is Satan lying to you. Do not deceive yourself. You would not commit a crime knowing a policeman or judge was watching, so why consider sinning after knowing God the Judge of all is watching?

God also sees your good works. He does not miss a single prayer you make in secret (Matt 6:1-8). A poor widow sneaking her two mites into the treasury was fully known to God (Luke 21:1-4). Every good thing you have done will be remembered in the great Day of Judgment, even those you forget (Eccl 12:14; II Cor 5:10; Matt 25:31-40; Heb 6:10).

God sees every person, all eight billion of them. But His eyes look for those few that love and obey Him, and He will strongly bless them for it (II Chr 16:9). Though very great, He humbles himself to behold His children on earth (Ps 113:4-9). Though perfectly holy, He sees a man’s entire life and heart to overlook some faults (II Chr 15:17; I Kgs 15:3-5).

Christian woman, God sees all you do for your husband and children. Comfort yourself at the end of a long day that your Heavenly Father sees and cares. He knows and revenges any trouble that others cause you, even a cruel husband (Mal 2:13). Remember the case of poor Hagar – the Lord saw her and rescued her in her great need (Gen 16:1-14).

Christian, He sees all your afflictions, so comfort yourself in any distress. He bottles your tears and writes them in His book (Ps 56:8; Mal 2:15). He hears you talk about Him with others, and He writes your name down for it (Mal 3:16). Not a sparrow can fall without His providential care, and you are of more value than many sparrows. Trust Him today.

https://letgodbetrue.com/proverbs/index/chapter-15/proverbs-15-3/

𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐛𝐬 𝟏𝟒:𝟐𝟎

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐨𝐨𝐫 𝐢𝐬 𝐡𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐧𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐫: 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐡 𝐡𝐚𝐭𝐡 𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐬.

Money lies! Money corrupts! This proverb represents Solomon’s sad observation of human selfishness: men are friendly for what they can get from others. Even a poor man’s neighbors hate him, because he is of no use to them in getting ahead. But a rich man, no matter what his character or conduct, has many more friends than the poor man.

Money lies! The fine things of the rich, their many friends in high places, their dignified manners, and their ability to help are all dangerous illusions. Such things tell you nothing about the heart and soul behind the proud eyes and beneath the luxurious clothes. Many rich men are arrogant and not noble or virtuous at all (Pr 18:23; I Sam 25:10). As a woman’s beauty does not prove character, neither does a man’s wealth (Pr 11:22; 31:30).

Money corrupts! Men that ought to love their neighbors will hate them for the simple reason they are poor. Men that ought to hate proud oppressors will grovel before the rich, in hope they might eat crumbs that fall from his table. If the rich ask for a favor, these sycophants will leap at the opportunity and often shut their eyes to the compromise or evil involved (Pr 17:23). Solomon warned at length about this danger (Pr 23:1-8).

The measure of a person is his character and conduct, not his wealth. Nabal was rich, but he was a fool (I Sam 25:2-11). Ruth was a poor widow, but she was a virtuous woman (Ruth 3:11). Instead of valuing what a person earns or owns, wise men examine his worship of God and moral conduct. The real measure of a person is his independent fear of God, love of Christ and others, and pursuit of truth, wisdom, and righteousness.

What are the lessons? The proverb is not teaching what should be, but rather what is common. One lesson is that popularity proves nothing (Pr 19:4,6). Another is a warning against measuring by assets, rather than character (Pr 19:7). Another is to remember that true friends are not affected by a change in circumstances (Pr 17:17). And a further lesson is to guard against preferential treatment of the rich and respect of persons (Jas 2:1-10).

But there are other lessons. God chose His elect for salvation mainly from the poor of this world (I Cor 1:26-29; Jas 2:5). Therefore, though poverty may indicate a low standing in society, it says nothing of one’s standing with God. It was much better to be the beggar Lazarus being licked by dogs than to be the rich man living in luxury (Luke 16:19-31).

No matter how dear are the friends, or how many there are of them, that reject you, God will never desert you, no matter how poor (Ps 73:25-26; Heb 13:5-6). He set His love on you when you were his hateful enemy, and He will not remove His love for the minor turns of life’s events (Rom 5:6-11). He became poor to make you rich (II Cor 8:9).

https://letgodbetrue.com/proverbs/index/chapter-14/proverbs-14-20/