Proverbs 2:1-5

Proverbs 2:1-5 

English Standard Version 

  Social media is awash in people promising riches.  They'll teach you how to trade penny stocks and options and make a huge fortune with very little effort.  They'll probably teach you how to trade various coins and NFTs and other products that may or may not have any real value.  It's easy to dismiss these, but lots of people invest their time and money into these schemes, hoping for a way to get rich quickly.  

  Seek the Lord like silver, Scripture teaches us, and we'll discover unimaginable wealth.  True riches, God tells us, are obtainable, only they don't look like what the world will tell you they look like.  These riches bring peace of mind and stability in ways money can never buy.  Joy, deep joy, is purchased with the Lord's treasure, and when you buy such things, you don't have less treasure -- you have more, because of the way the Lord produces abundance.  

  I pray for the ability to discern true wealth from the world's wealth.  It's so easy to get confused and spend too much time and energy pursuing earthly wealth.  There's nothing inherently wrong with material wealth -- until we fall in love with it and love it more than God.  That's when it's dangerous.  That's when it steals our heart.  That's when we start to lose sight of God's treasure, and we become poor, no matter how much earthly treasure we may have. 

  

Proverbs 1:20-22

Proverbs 1:20-22 

English Standard Version 

  I think we subscribe to four streaming services, although I lose count.  I don't watch them very often, but there's a couple good shows on them that I'll always think twice about canceling them, especially if I'm looking for something distracting to do while I'm on the treadmill and need to not think about how much work I'm doing not to go anywhere.  Each streaming service offers an endless list of distractions.  

  Wisdom, Scripture tells us, cries aloud, but it's a noisy world, and there's a long list of things that are vying for our attention.  Many of these things are easier than trying to grow in wisdom.  Everything Netflix offers is less work than studying Scripture.  And there's nothing wrong with watching Netflix every now and again -- but if that's the primary usage in our free time, Scripture will tell us that we're missing out.  We're missing the chance to grow in knowledge.  

  So let us make sure that we create enough space and stillness in our lives for Wisdom to speak.  God is calling to us, urging us to grow.  If we forever deafen ourselves by filling our ears with entertainment, we'll miss what God has to say.

Proverbs 1:1-7

Proverbs 1:1-7 

English Standard Version 

  Ever feel like you're just trying to get by?  Sometimes life can be overwhelming, and we get into a mode where we're simply surviving.  

  What happens next is that we get stuck there -- we forget to turn that off, and the part of our brain that focuses on long-term growth begins to atrophy.  We forget to think about what we want to grow into, and we just keep on keeping on.  

  Scripture pushes us to grow, because it focuses our minds on the eternal -- God has a long-term plan for us to grow into the people we were created to be.  We aren't called to simply survive, or to sit and wait comfortably.  We're to grow and seek knowledge, to pursue God with all of our hearts, investing our lives in preparing for the eternal kingdom of God.  

Proverbs 16:31

Proverbs 16:31

English Standard Version 

  We as a society are wise to remember this.  Collectively, we idolize youth.  But wisdom is accumulated in the elderly, and it pains me to see the ways that society isolates people of different ages.  The church is such a treasure, for it's one of the few places in society where we truly mix across generations, offering the wisdom of the elders to the young and the perspective of the young to the elders.  May we look for these opportunities to mix, and may we listen to those of different generations, recognizing the wisdom and perspective others can bring.

Proverbs 16:1-3

Proverbs 16:1-3 

English Standard Version 

  As the Proverb says, I think my plans are great.  

  God, on the other hand... may not always approve.  God also knows the roots of our hearts and the meaning behind our actions.  This is what Jesus is referring to when he is pressing in on the commandments, always raising the bar and demanding more obedience, more love, more pure grace.  We can't ever live up to this, but Jesus is pushing us, pulling us, in this direction, urging us to consider every thought and every action completely captive to God.  

  The more we can commit everything to God, the more we grow in faith, understanding that it's all a gift and all an offering that we give back to God.

Proverbs 15:16-17

Proverbs 15:16-17 

English Standard Version 

  It's always sad to read about people that win the lottery and then see their lives fall apart due to relational stress or other causes of strife.  It's easy to look at that and think that I'd handle it differently, but none of us really know how we'd deal with suddenly having $300 million.  We wish we had that problem, but I'm willing to bet that there's a decent number of people out there who wish they'd never won if it meant the strife didn't come with it.  

  The Proverbs tell us that we're better off having a little and a good relationship with God than having a lot and all the troubles that can come with it.  We're better off breaking bread at a barren table that is surrounded by love than sitting down to a laden table where everyone is full of strife.  Food doesn't taste very good when we're in the midst of a fight.

  May we learn to be satisfied with what we have.  May we focus on building a strong foundation, so that whatever comes our way, be it a little or a lot, we're prepared to live with faithfulness.

Proverbs 14:29-30

Proverbs 14:29-30

English Standard Version 

  Psalm 131 paints an image of the Christian as resting in the arms of Christ as a child rests in its mother's lap.  We should have this kind of peace -- the peace of people who so completely trust God that we don't fly off the handle at every little thing that goes wrong.  When we are fully trusting God, we can be patient with the world.  This doesn't mean we shouldn't get upset at injustice or conflict in the world -- but we do it from a place of control, knowing that we don't have the last word over things.  We don't have to set things right -- we have a Savior who has done that.  So we can exhale, picture ourselves resting in Christ's lap, and be at peace as we go into a conflicted world.

Proverbs 12:5

Proverbs 12:5

English Standard Version 

  In defensive driving, the trick in a crisis is to look where you want the car to go, because you'll steer towards that.  If you stare directly at a tree or telephone poll, you'll likely end up steering the car into that.  

  Your thoughts will shape your future.  If you dwell or obsess on bad things, bad things will likely happen.  If you mentally toy around with sin or temptation, you'll likely eventually fall prey to that.  If you focus on faults, those will become larger and larger in your mind.  If you allow wicked people to influence your thoughts through their advice, you'll likely end up in bad situations.

  Similarly, if you dwell on good things, if you focus on the Word of God throughout the day, you'll end up wiser and more prepared.  You'll be more likely to sense how God might be leading you.  You'll notice the working of the Holy Spirit more often.

  Choose what you think on.  Try and pay attention to your thoughts today -- when they wander, as they inevitably will, how can you steer them back to God's Word and God's peace, rather than letting them run away on their own and lead you far from peace and joy?

Proverbs 11:24-25

Proverbs 11:24-25 

English Standard Version 

  I was out watering the grass last night, and it only works because it's connected to the spigot -- if I only had the water that was in the hose when I started, I wouldn't get very far.

   I think it was Martin Luther who talked about us having fingers in our hands so that our blessings placed into our hands could run through our fingers and leave room for more blessings.  

  When we're faithful with a little, Jesus tells us, we'll be given more.  Giving is an automatic ticket to receive more, and we shouldn't give just for the expectation that we'll receive, but if we give with a grateful heart, we'll receive the riches of God's peace, a treasure far greater than money.  What would you give you to have true peace in the depths of your hearts?  That's a treasure, and we want for it... one of the ways to gain that is to give generously, for it teaches us to be grateful to God for every good blessing.

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.

Proverbs 7:1-4

Proverbs 7:1-4 

English Standard Version 

  How much of what you learned in geometry do you remember?  What about social studies?  Can you remember all the types of poems?  Or what makes up the cell?  (I remember that mitochondria is the powerhouse of the cell.  That's about it.)

  If you continued to study these things every day, you'd probably still remember them.... but you learned them once, knew enough to get through the test, and have long since forgotten most of it.

  To remain wise, we have to do more than study it once.  We have to consider Biblical wisdom an intimate friend, one that we remain close to each and every day, constantly writing them in our hearts through our dedicated study.  It's the only way -- there are no shortcuts.  If we hope to recall the guidance of wisdom, particularly when we're under stress, we have to consistently dedicate ourselves to the study of wisdom, seeking God's guidance so that it's close in times of need.

Proverbs 6:27-28

Proverbs 6:27-28 

English Standard Version 

  How long can you tiptoe on the edge of a cliff before you fall over?  How long can you stare at a fresh baked chocolate chip cookie before you give in and take a bit?  

  Studies have shown that our willpower is like a muscle.  That means you can exercise it and make it stronger, but it also means that it can wear out.

  Given that it can wear out, why put it to the test?  If you know it will give out immediately, the wise option is to turn away from anything that tests it at the first sign, rather than dabble with it.  Flee from sin at the first opportunity, rather than play with temptation and think you're stronger than it.  No matter what you may think, if you live close to the edge for long enough, eventually, you'll fall over.  It's simply a matter of time.

  Here, the author is warning about adultery, but it's true of any sin... flee from it at the first sign, don't engage with temptation of any sort -- rather than test yourself, turn from sin and find a wise path that makes it easier to avoid sin.

Proverbs 6:6-11

Proverbs 6:6-11 

English Standard Version 

  There are religious traditions that point so strongly to heaven that they're accused of not having practical application.  There is certainly plenty of Scripture that orients us towards heaven, but it's often done with the intention of changing life here on earth as well.  We're transformed by the Holy Spirit, but God then sends us out into the world to show God's love to the world through our actions.  We can't forget about our worldly obligations to love and serve one another because we get focused on heaven, and we can't forget about heaven in the event we get too focused on the world around us.  There's always a balance.  

  Here in Proverbs, we have very practical wisdom.  The ant is held up as industrious, and the proverbial sluggard here in Proverbs is addressed with the intent of motivating them to work, to create internal discipline and accountability -- or else poverty and want will win the day.  Work hard, we're told, or else we end up wasting our gifts, which are themes Jesus picks up on in certain parables, where we are encouraged to work, and yet to remember that it's not our work that makes us worthy, but we do so out of gratitude for the grace extended to us.

Proverbs 4:23-27

Proverbs 4:23-27 

English Standard Version 

  I once went to Costco and only bought one thing -- it was a proud moment for me.  Typically, I go into Costco for 5 things and come out with 15.  Every time I go in there, or any grocery store, I inevitably end up with way more than I anticipated, because my eyes stray and so many things look good in the heat of the moment.  I'm not disciplined enough to stick to my list, so I buy whatever is appealing.

  We can go through life this way if we're not careful -- we chase what is appealing in the moment.  It's always easier to pursue entertainment on our phones, or take the easy shortcut, rather than to stay disciplined and focused and pursue what we want.

   Take a moment on this Monday morning -- write out what you want from the day, from the week.  What do you need to ignore, to put away, to achieve this?  How can you ask for God's help to set your eyes forward, to keep your feet from straying?  Maybe you need help from a friend to avoid an addiction or temptation.  Whatever it takes, ponder the path of your feet before you set out.  Take some time to consider the next steps, and if you do so, you can walk with purpose, rather than just hoping you end up where you want to be.  

Proverbs 3:13-18

Proverbs 3:13-18

English Standard Version 

  If you were holding a popular vote, I wouldn't like wisdom's chances in modern society when up against some of the other options.  Precious jewels might win by a landslide.

  But precious jewels won't help you when life is falling apart.  Precious jewels don't help you appreciate the gifts of family and friends.  Precious jewels offer little comfort in the dying embers of the day.

  Wisdom, however, offers a road of peace and a way to life.  Those who cling to wisdom understand the gifts of community and the true meaning of life -- they keep perspective when the cards are against them, and the fear of God keeps them from fearing other threats that nip at their heels.  

  Wisdom may not be popular, but it's prudent, and will keep you stable on the path through life, and only wisdom will show you the way through the veil that separates this world and the next.

Proverbs 3:5-8

Proverbs 3:5-8

English Standard Version 

  It was Augustine who said that our hearts are restless until they find their rest in God.  Martin Luther was a little more direct when he called the heart a factory of idols.

  Our hearts chase things -- there are so many alluring things in the world that we can sometimes feel like our hearts are spinning after so many desirable things.  I was recently in Miami on South Beach, and my head was on a swivel to look at all the high-end cars with loud engines.  There must be some city ordinance that Collins Drive always has at least two Lamborghinis on it at all times.  For someone who grew up with a poster of one on my wall, there was a lot to look at.  It distracted me from whatever I was trying to focus on, which diminished in value in comparison to the Lamborghini racing by.

  We do this with lots of things -- our hearts are restless, racing after possessions and status and money and people.  So many things seek to claim the top spot in our hearts, and it exhausts and distracts us.  Until we can let our hearts rest in God, depending on the Lord to lead our hearts and minds, we'll always be fighting this battle, giving pieces of our hearts away to plenty of worldly things.  Sabbath rest helps us fight this battle, for when we celebrate the Sabbath, we set aside all those worldly things and let God lead our hearts.  In the still, small spaces, we can often hear God speaking in ways we miss when the volume is turned up to 11 and we're racing from event to event.

Proverbs 2:4-8

Proverbs 2:4-8 

English Standard Version 

  There's a book called Ship of Gold in the Deep Blue Sea about a treasure hunter's search for the wreck of the S.S. Central America that sunk in 1857 with 21 tons of gold on board.  That's a pretty strong motivator -- what would you do for the opportunity to get 21 tons of gold?  You'd probably go through quite a bit for such treasure, or even part of that.  (At $2,009/ounce, that's about $64 million)

  We undervalue the treasure of God's wisdom.  It doesn't deliver monetary riches, so we discount it in our minds and hearts, spending time and energy pursuing worldly riches and treasure.  We can't wrap our minds around the eternal, so we don't invest the time into it that we should, because it doesn't make the same kind of sense to us -- it's not as clear as dollars in a bank account.  

  If we're wise, Proverbs tells us, we'll recognize that seeking the Lord like a treasure of silver is the better move, because the treasure we find in God is one that is eternal and can't be stolen or lost.  No thief can get at it, and it lasts forever.  Every treasure on earth will be spent down, no matter how big, given enough time, whereas the treasure we receive from God only grows.