Proverbs 11:22

Proverbs 11:22 

English Standard Version 

  Now you know the root of the old saying about putting lipstick on a pig -- you can dress it up however you want, but it's still just a pig.  Of course, if you love bacon, that may be good news indeed, but I highly doubt the Old Testament was looking at things from that angle, seeing as how they didn't eat pork...

  But the Proverbs here are reminding us that anyone (not just women) who fails to exercise discretion is hoping that some physical traits will cover up a lack of character.  And this can work for a while... but eventually, character is always revealed.  Who we are matters, and Proverbs is advising us to build strong character, for that's more important than superficial traits like beauty.  It's a hard thing to teach children, and to believe for ourselves, because we see how those with strong superficial traits can get ahead -- but character matters more.  May we pursue sinking our roots deep into Scripture and drawing wisdom from that, to pursue Godliness above all else, to grow closer to God, no matter how tempting and alluring some of the world's treasures are.

Proverbs 11:1-4

Proverbs 11:1-4 

English Standard Version 

  Scripture is packed with wisdom & guidance telling us that money will not give us the ultimate security that we so desperately want, but we ignore it, because we're convinced that we need it and that we can have everything.  Rather than start with treasure in heaven, though, we tend to start with treasure on earth, because that's easier to grasp and understand.  Only treasure in heaven will save, however, no matter how much treasure on earth we accumulate.  Many are tempted to try and grasp wealth by unrighteous methods, and that corrodes and corrupts the soul.   It can be hard to trust in heavenly wealth -- it doesn't show up in bank statements or sit in our wallet.  It can give us peace that earthly wealth cannot -- peace in the depths of our souls if we learn to trust God with our eternal future.  That is a deposit unlike anything else in the world.

  So how's your spiritual checkbook balance?  Is it growing?  Holding steady?  How can you let God add to that today?

Proverbs 9:13-17

Proverbs 9:13-17 

English Standard Version 

  Thousands of years ago, long before Al Gore invented the internet, the book of Proverbs predicted the rise of social media here in chapter 9!  Folly doesn't have to be the correct voice -- it's simply the loudest, and even though folly doesn't know anything, it doesn't stop folly from shouting to everyone who passes by, tempting them to turn away from their current path and opting for something easier, distracting them from their course by shouting loudly.  It's easy to engage with folly.

  If you are going straight on your way, avoid the temptation to engage.  Stick to your convictions, to your path, to your course.  Choosing to stray and engaging with folly will only lead you away, even if it seems so easy.  After one step away from your path, the next is even easier, and soon you'll be on another path entirely.

Proverbs 8:12-21

Proverbs 8:12-21 

English Standard Version 

  A good reminder here to keep us all humble -- good things in life are gifts, and we are wise to seek wisdom above all else -- even fine gold and choice silver.  I wonder how many mistakes in life would be avoided if we'd learn this lesson.  Imagine the different world we'd live in if each of us pursued what was wise rather than what might make us the most money or give us the most power.  Politics would be different, and so would each community and each household.  We'd certainly share much better!  We often hoard out of fear rather than share out of wisdom.  What's the line?  How do we know?  It's probably different for each of us, but wisdom helps us learn what is 'enough' and what is more than we need.  May we seek such wisdom, so that we, too, can live just lives, trusting in the strength of God and fearing only the Lord, nothing else, trusting that our treasury has been filled by God alone.