Seeming Oxymoron (Proverbs 13:23)

It seems as though that those who follow the law suffer want while those who do not want to follow the law, do so freely. This may be the case; not because the Lord is not there, but because there is a curse placed upon the earth.

"Much food is in the tilled land of the poor, but there are those who are destroyed because of injustice." Proverbs 13:23, Amplified

It already seems to me that this verse is not making much sense. First of all it speaks of the poor owning land. How can the poor own land and still be poor? The Lord looks out for his own. Remember, however, that the person in the world is still subject to the laws of this world. Because of injustice a person can be destroyed. If the Lord looks out for His own, then cleave to Him.

True Inheritance (Proverbs 13:22)

One of the goals in the American society is to leave an inheritance for the next generation so that the same struggles do not necessarily have to be endured. As an inheritance is passed, a legacy is born. Some names on the American landscape have embodied this ideal. Not only is it an American "philosophy", but it is also something that the Lord wants and desires for fathers to do for their children. For years I have put off finishing my education, and now I am only three units away from being able to teach.

"A good man leaves an inheritance [of moral stability and goodness] to his children's children, and the wealth of the sinner [finds its way eventually] into the hands of the righteous, for whom it was laid up." Proverbs 13:22, Amplified

The inheritance left by a good man is not necessarily the same as the person of the world might view an inheritance. Try to think of the inheritance as a lifestyle or ideals left for the next generation to live up to. Life is more than money. A good man leaves moral stability just as the world leaves iniquity for his children. "The Lord is longsuffering and abundant in mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression; but He by no means clears the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth generation." (Numbers 14:18, NKJV) We have all seen the effects of an alcoholism in the family tree. Sin has a way of transferring to the next generation. This is not to say that we do not have choice and free will. My father was an alcoholic and I chose not to be, because I decided early in life that my children deserved better, a more stable inheritance.

As for the second part of the verse, what is trying to be conveyed is that the sinner cannot hold on to material things forever. What the righteous man has is eternal, it follows us into the next life; this is the inheritance that our children's children need.

Hold fast to what is good and true.

A New Hiding Place (Proverbs 13:21)

I could not fall asleep tonight because visions of deeds past are flooding my thoughts as I alone lay awake in my bed. I know that I have been forgiven for the things that I have done in my past, but something is holding on to my heart. An eternal fight for my soul wages in the dark hours.

"Evil pursues sinners, but the consistently upright and in right standing with God shall be recompensed with good." Proverbs 13:21, Amplified

For the sinner, he has none to look to for support in his time of need. He must constantly find a new hiding place as paranoia ensnares his mind. There is no hope for salvation for this man, unless he decides to turn to the Lord for that salvation. The upright man of God has already found that refuge, the Lord is his strong tower.

The Company We Keep (Proverbs 13:20)

It is Christmas morning. Almost one year has passed us by again. What does the Lord want us to know this morning?

"He who walks [as a companion] with wise men shall be wise, but he who associates with [self-confident] fools will [be a fool himself and] shall smart for it." Proverbs 13:20, Amplified

It is the company that we keep which defines who we are. Some say that we are a product of our environment. I believe this to be true to a point. Inevitably, we are who we are because of choices that we make. Those choices can definitely be inspired or influenced by the company that we keep.

If the company that we keep is with wise men, then the choices we make will be wiser. This is not just because we want to please the crowd around us, rather it is because of the conversation and make up of the crowd. In High School, everyone became a part of a clique. Whether you liked it or not, we were immediately stereotyped and placed into our peg or we were one of the fortunate ones who almost understood who we were and hung out with the crowd of our own choosing. That crowd influenced our way of life for the next four years. We dressed as they dressed and spoke as they spoke and did as they did because that was the crowd we were with. To surround ourselves with wise a God-fearing persons greatly influences the outcome of our day. As we get older, the stereotypes remain, but we become more self-aware and are able to better define our own beings and associate with the persons of our own choosing.

However, if that crowd be of the foolish persuasion, then we ourselves become fools and act foolishly. "For the foolish person will speak foolishness, and his heart will work iniquity; to practice ungodliness, to utter error against the Lord, to keep the hungry unsatisfied, to cause the drink of the thirsty to fail." (Isaiah 32:6, NKJV) We do have to choice of who we surround ourselves with. It can either be God fearing men and women or foolish men and women. Never forget, however, that we do have the choice. One of the greatest things that the Lord installed inside of man at his inception was free-will. We have the choice.

Merry Christmas

Giddiness (Proverbs 13:19)

When a task is set, a goal sits on the horizon. As that goal is met, a satisfied accomplishment fills the heart.

"Satisfied desire is sweet to a person; therefore it is hateful and exceedingly offensive to [self-confident] fools to give up evil [upon which they have set their hearts]." Proverbs 13:19, Amplified

The human heart needs to have a sense of accomplishment. I know for myself that the dream of becoming a teacher has set on my horizon for far too long. However, know it sits only three units out of my grasp. Every time I think about the fact that I am only one class away from my desire, I feel all giddy inside.

But for the fool, the same thing applies for him when we speak of evil. For him to depart from it is taking away his sweet desire. He gets the same feelings of accomplishment from his wrong doing that I am getting from reaching my own goal. It is hard for a person to understand the heart of one who does those bad things.

True and Godly Correction (Proverbs 13:18)

To understand the true meaning of correction is important as well as how to use the tools of correction correctly.

"Poverty and shame shall be to him who refuses instruction and correction, but he who heeds reproof shall be honored." Proverbs 13:18, Amplified

There is something about correction that the human heart or psyche cannot receive. Maybe it is the whole thing of being told that we are wrong.

If we do not receive that correction, however, then we are doomed to failure. Maybe not this time, or even the next. Failure will be on the horizon.

It is our job, though, to understand the correction that is coming our way. There are those authority figures in our lives that abuse their roles and tend to over correct and misdirect. True and godly correction is done out of love for the individual. True and godly correction wants us to succeed.

No More Cookies (Proverbs 13:17)

It is important for us to receive good news for it lifts the spirit. But it is just as important to bring good news to another as well.

"A wicked messenger falls into evil, but a faithful ambassador brings healing." Proverbs 13:17, Amplified

I like how the verse is laid out. First it speaks of a messenger, then it speaks of an ambassador. In this situation I would liken the messenger to a mail carrier and the ambassador to an actual political ambassador. Here is why.

A messenger has no real authority. All they are doing in delivering a word or a package from point A to point B. If that messenger should be wicked, then the he falls into evil. What this means is that the message will become distorted along the way. Either he will open the package, destroy the package or even change the message. Uriah the Hittite was a faithful messenger. He delivered his death sentence from the king to Joab without even realizing. Had he been a wicked messenger, he would have opened the message and saved his own life. But for his faithfulness to his king, Bathsheba will be forever known as the wife of Uriah (Matthew 1:6)

An ambassador, however, is given the power to speak for a king and in effect speak for an entire nation. We can be that ambassador, each of us individually can be ambassadors of heaven. If we are faithful in spreading the gospel, then we are that faithful ambassador. To bring a good word to a person is to bring health. It seems at time some are offended at the gospel and even hurt. Think of it like this. When peroxide goes on to an infected wound, it hurts because of all the filth that it contains. Now the less filthy the wound the less it will hurt. The same can be said for the gospel and a filthy heart. We just need to be that faithful ambassador who brings that healing word. We need to face the fact that cookies from our mothers never really healed, they just made us forget.

Measuring Up (Proverbs 13:15-16)

Knowledge is good. To have it is to also have understanding. Understanding brings a happier and healthier life.

"Good understanding wins favor, but the way of the transgressor is hard [like the barren, dry soil or the impassable swamp]." Proverbs 13:15, Amplified

I like how the Amplified Version delivers this verse. I calls the way of the transgressor like barren, dry soil or an impassable swamp. There is either not enough moisture, or there is too much. In other words, there is no moderation. The thing a child of God has going for him, is that the Lord guides him in his daily life. He has a governor telling him when it is too much or too little. The child of the world has no one guide him and must rely on his own instinct and understanding. The one problem is that he has nothing to measure himself up against other than the world.

"Every prudent man deals with knowledge, but a [self-confident] fool exposes and flaunts his folly." Proverbs 13:16, Amplified

This is the problem of not having anything real to measure yourself up against. For the Christian, there is God and the Bible. For the man of the world, there is only others from the world. You will never be able to draw a 12" line with a ruler that is only 10". You will fall short every time. The Bible is our measuring stick. To ignore it's contents is to ignore knowledge and expose shame.

The Bible (Proverbs 13:13-14)

Listen to the words of warning that surround you on a daily basis. They were placed there by the Lord to protect us. The Bible is not a tool to keep us from something, rather it is a tool to bring us to eternal life.

"Whoever despises the Word [of God] brings destruction upon himself, but he who (reverently) fears and respects the commandment [of God] shall be rewarded." Proverbs 13:13, Amplified

To not heed the Word is to invite destruction upon yourself. It is full of the words of life that we need to survive and enter eternal life. But to despise it and reject it is to fall into the hands of death. I mean this verse pretty much speaks for itself with no help of interpretation.

"The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, that one may avoid the snares of death." Proverbs 13:14, Amplified

Remember that wisdom is knowledge applied. It is possible that the wise have been where you are at this moment in time. When you are taught by them, they are coming from a place of experience. The snares of death being spoken of here may not just be the sudden stop at the end of life, but also the second death, Hell. The Lord places people around us to place us on the path to heaven. There are no guard rails and we are welcome to leave the path whenever we want. But leaving the path means that we just might be inviting destruction upon ourselves.

Hope (Proverbs 13:12)

Sometimes hope is the only thing the heat has to hold on to.

"Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when the desire is fulfilled, it is a tree of life." Proverbs 13:12, Amplified

When the hope that we have is gone, the heart sinks into sickness. It is said that most survivors in a tragic accident hold on simply because they hope to be rescued. But when that hope of salvation is gone, they slip away into death because there is nothing left to hold on to: hope is gone. My father clung to life for a few weeks, knowing that the doctors would find a way to fix his liver. When the realization came to him that his life would not be the same when a new liver was received, he called my mother on their anniversary, December 24. He told her how much he loved her, but that he could not fight anymore. She told him that everything was going to be okay, and she would she him on Christmas Day. The next morning we got the call about my father. We were able to spend the very last 3 hours of his life with him on December 25, 2008.

Hope as we saw it was gone, for my mother and my hope was for my father to live. But this was not the case. My father's hope was fulfilled, he received his tree of life. His desire was for the pain and suffering to end. Once he had breathed his last, his fight was over.

Whatever the hope may be in life, the heart wants for it so much that it can physically make one sick. But when that hope is fulfilled the heart springs back to life. It could be love or something a little more tangible. Whatever the case, present your concern to the Lord.

Monies Gained (Proverbs 13:11)

It seems that everyone in the past was trying to make an honest buck. Of late, that honest buck has turned in to a fast buck. Scams and other means of gaining that money have come about to get that money deceitfully. That money will not last.

"Wealth [not earned] but won in haste, or unjustly, or from the production of things for vain or detrimental use, [such riches] will dwindle away; but he who gathers little by little will increase them." Proverbs 13:11, Amplified

What is trying o be conveyed here is that an unjust or hasty gain of fortune will not last. I am talking about the up and coming star who finds himself in a lot of cash. One who did not have has no idea how to handle the fortune. Parties, drugs, booze, women is how the fortune dwindles away. I know this because I have a friend who did this. Lance Kerwin became famous from his hit television show, James at 15. He was also in the Steven King film, Salem's Lot. Fortune overtook Lance, and he became a user and an abuser, he lost it all. Lance landed in a rehab facility where I happened to be. Now he is a youth pastor in Temecula, California.

But if you take someone like Donald Trump, who gained his vast fortune little by little understands how to deal with the money that they have received. If someone knows how to save a $100, then the know how to save $1,000. If they know how to save $1,000 then they know how to save $500,000.

The Lord wants us to be good stewards of what we have. If we are faithful in little, He will entrust us with more. This is not to say that He will give us $500,000. Be a good steward of the money that you have. Save a little, spend less and that nest egg will begin to grow. This is not a theological concept, it is economical. The Lord uses the logical things of this world to bless His children. Does He want us to be rich? Maybe. But for now, be faithful to Him with what you already have and not with what you want.

Pride (Proverbs 13:10)

Pride is one of those ugly things in life that can creep up on a person and soon consume him.

"By pride and insolence comes only contention, but with the well-advised is skillful and godly Wisdom." Proverbs 13:10, Amplified

Pride is that thing in life that tries to convince us that we are the best. I am not talking about a collective we, I am talking about only me. You see, pride tries to tell us that it is only myself that is great. There is no room for anyone else, besides myself, at the pinnacle of pride. This is where the contention comes in, everyone fights for the number one spot. When pride is involved, the Lord is not.

it is interesting that the second half of the verse speaks of the "well-advised". Parents, teachers and other authority figures need to help mold the mind of the younger generation. Teach them that the individual is not the important piece, rather it is about the collective. Godly wisdom teaches us that the most important thing in the world is not ourself, but it is the Lord first then others around us. Pride leaves no room for anyone else; godly wisdom envelops everyone around us. I heard it once said that true joy is this: "J"esus "O"thers and "Y"ou.

Light (Proverbs 13:9)

There is a light within man. It can either be a divine light which shines ever brighter, or his own light which will soon extinguish.

"The light of the [uncompromisingly] righteous [is within him; it grows brighter and] rejoices; but the lamp of the wicked [ furnishes only a deprived, temporary light and] shall be put out shortly." Proverbs 13:9, Amplified

The light of the righteous grows brighter and brighter because it has an eternal source. The body has a tendency to wear out and wind down. If we rely on the Lord, then that light will not be extinguished. It becomes a source of warmth to those around us. With that light we can guide others on the path of righteousness. That light is the example that others need.

If that light should be of a temporal source of our own making, how long will it be before that light burns out? Yes there are those out there who do not have the Lord in their lives and people are drawn to their dynamic personalities. But the source of that light will soon need to be replenished. How can a lamp replenish its own oil? An external source is needed, without it we are doomed to burn out.

Ransom (Proverbs 13:8)

Some people desire riches so much, they are willing to go to great lengths to get them, even if they must take it.

"A rich man can buy himself out of threatened death by paying a ransom, but the poor man does not even have to listen to threats [from the envious]." Proverbs 13:8, Amplified

It seems to be a common theme is some movies where a rich man's family is threatened and a ransom letter is sent with a certain amount of money and a drop point listed. Though it is a common them in the movies, it is a very real event. However, I must ask a question, how many of those men were poor? None. The poor do not have to worry about anyone else being envious of their possessions.

What the Lord is laying out here is that there is more to worry about when you are rich than if you are not. I do not feel that the Lord does not want us to have money, but riches can cloud the heart and mind. No one envies a poor man. And if your riches are in heaven, no one can ever send a ransom note for those goods.

Rich and Poor (Proverbs 13:7)

It is a shameful thing to make ourselves into something that we are not. Who really wants to live their life like they were going to a masquerade ball? But no matter what kind of mask is worn, the Lord sees us for who we really are.

"One man considers himself rich, yet has nothing [to keep permanently]; another considers himself poor, yet has great [and indestructible] riches." Proverbs 13:7, Amplified

There are people in the world who would like you to believe that they are rich. They overspend on houses and cars and toys so that their friends will "ooh & ahh" over the things that they possess. There are others who actually have the money to live extravagantly and they do. But the fact of the matter is that all this stuff is going to burn, it will all be destroyed. Nothing in this life can be taken into the next. I have never seen a U-Haul following a hearse. Riches cloud the heart.

But there are those who consider themselves poor, but they have eternity waiting for them. Their inheritance is indestructible. All they need is Jesus. I have never been a rich man, but the Lord has always provided for my family.

There is also a third way to see this. Just because one is poor does not mean that he is going to heaven. Some people are so stricken by their lot in life that they cannot see the glory of heaven. They feel that "God is the Creator of their fate" and "He is the one to blame." And there are those who are rich who will be going to heaven. The creator of the "dogloo" (a dog house make to look like an igloo) became a millionaire. After this he became very depressed because all people wanted from him was his money. On the verge losing himself, he found he Lord and became a born again Christian. He is the founder of the Christian clothing store "C28".

Life Saver (Proverbs 13:5-6)

The difference between a righteous man and a wicked man is that the righteous man feels guilt. When he has transgressed against the Lord, his heart weighs heavy in his chest.

"A [consistently] righteous man hates lying and deceit, but a wicked man is loathsome [his very breath spreads pollution] and he surely comes to shame." Proverbs 13:5, Amplified

The righteous man can lie. It is within the ability of every man to transgress the commandments of the Lord. The difference between the two is the shame that follows. I know for myself, when I sin, a great heaviness accompanies it. I begin to hate myself for allowing my heart to stray. Forgiveness is soon sought after. But the wicked man feels no shame or guilt. The difference is that within the righteous man resides the Holy Spirit. Conviction causes the Christian to seek forgiveness.

"Righteousness [rightness and justice in every area and relation] guards him who is upright in his way, but wickedness plunges into sin and overthrows the sinner." Proverbs 13:6, Amplified

If we walk in righteousness, we will be guarded. This is not to say that bad things will not happen to the righteous man. I know that I got fired from my job when I decided to do the right thing. You see, we must view everything in our lives as a greater plan created by God. The guard that covers the Christian is the faith that he possesses. When things go wrong for the sinner, he has nothing to hold on to. If all we ever know is sin, then that sin will soon overtake us. But if we come to a saving knowledge of the Lord, then we have that proverbial life saver awaiting us.

Appetite (Proverbs 13:4)

In order to experience life, one must get off his fanny and act. If we sit and do nothing, life passes us by without thinking twice about it.

"The appetite of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, but the appetite of the diligent shall be abundantly supplied." Proverbs 13:4, Amplified

The lazy man desires and is never fulfilled because his desires never manifest into action. It is like being hungry and knowing where to get food but doing nothing to satisfy the appetite. Eventually you will die of starvation.

The righteous man is diligent for he hungers after the things of God. His desire is for an eternity with the Lord. The diligent man works toward heaven, he fulfills his appetite by doing the things of God. He will be satisfied with heaven, whereas the lazy man will only experience hell. This is not to say that a lazy man cannot be saved and go to heaven. But laziness is not an attribute of God. When one thinks of the attributes of a man of God, laziness is not even close to being on the list.

If ever we read a biography of somebody who lived their life for God, we find one common theme. They were always on the move. Never resting. Never stopping. A stagnant pool of water only breeds disease, but a running spring refreshes the soul.

Words (Proverbs 13:2-3)

It is so important for us, as Christians to watch what comes out of our mouths. Simple jokes might ruin the chance of someone making the decision to come to Christ.

"A good man shall eat good from the fruit of his mouth, but the desire of the treacherous is for violence." Proverbs 13:2, Amplified

There is a certain satisfaction that comes with being good and speaking good things. I have found in my search for worldly things, there is never a satisfaction, I am never full. But when I am in line with what the Lord wants from my life, I feel satisfied.

"He who guards his mouth keeps his life, but he who opens wide his lips will come to ruin." Proverbs 13:3, Amplified

The mouth can be a very horrible thing, for the words that come out of it have the ability to destroy. It is our duty to guard what escapes our lips. We do that by deciding what has the ability to enter our eyes and ears. If we take in only the bad, then only the bad will exit. But if we take in the good, then we have a better chance at speaking only good. I say better chance because we have a sinful nature. It is the nature of man to act selfishly and sinfully. But as we align our hearts with God, a process begins in our hearts, a sort of filtration system. We now have the choice of only speaking good, because as we store the Word of God in our hearts, the Holy Spirit reminds us of what we need to do or say.

Instruction and Correction (Proverbs 13:1)

One of the touch points of maturity is being able to listen to correction.

"A wise son heeds [and is the fruit of] his father's instruction and correction, but a scoffer listens not to rebuke." Proverbs 13:1, Amplified

The job of a father is to rear his children correctly, to help them grow into great adults. A wise child latches on to whatever his father may be teaching him. This is a symbiotic relationship, wherein both parties benefit.

A scoffer is one who will not heed the words of rebuke. Rebuke and instruction are two different things. When things are going wrong and bad choices are made, a rebuke must be administered. One who does not care about the wisdom of his father, scoffs at the idea of rebuke. Instruction and correction cannot be separated.

Eternity (Proverbs 12:28)

Death is a place that all must visit. For the Christian, it only comes once.

"Life is in the way of righteousness [moral and spiritual rectitude in every area and relation], and in its pathway there is no death, but immortality - perpetual, eternal life." Proverbs 12:28, Amplified

To give one's whole being over to the Lord opens the door to eternal life. Death comes for us all. How is life being lived now for yourself. Are your actions an echo of your soul? Is what you do reeking of eternal life?

When we die, there will be two judgments, one for us and one for them. The Great White Throne Judgment will send everyone who approaches it to Hell. The there is the judgment for those belonging to God; what was done with the name of Jesus? How was life spent? Those of us who do not encounter the Great White Throne will be blessed to live a life eternally with our Creator.

There is a great spiritual truth for us all to know, "For those who sow to the flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit real everlasting life." (Galations 6:8, NKJV)

I pray, everyday, that what I do reeks of eternal life. I want others to desire what I have. I want the opportunity to share the prospect of eternity with everyone. I want to live like I was dying. Everyday important. Everyday my last. Everyday my moment to shine for the Lord.

Diligence and Laziness (Proverbs 12:27)

When we are given certain things, or items, we are expected to use them appropriately. The man whose heart and mind are not focused on the Lord does not act accordingly.

"The slothful man will not catch his game, or roast it if he should kill it; but the diligent man will get precious possessions." Proverbs 12:27, Amplified

There is a man who is so lazy that he has no desire to do the things he must in order to survive. He will not go out and hunt for his game, but if at some point he does catch game, he will not cook it. If the effort is not put forth to take care of ourselves, then the effort will never be put forth in a relationship with the Lord.

But a diligent man will not only hunt and kill and cook, he will also get many valuable possessions along the way. he is the man whose relationship with the Lord will be a strong one, if indeed he does have a relationship. Now a diligent man does not necessarily have to be a Christian. There have been many men throughout the centuries that have garnered possessions that were not men of God.

The purpose of this verse is to allow us to see the difference between two men. The lazy man will suffer hunger because of his laziness and the diligent man will be blessed because of his diligence.

Examples (Proverbs 12:26)

If a man were to be defined by his surroundings, then you could tell what was in his heart. The same can be said about the company he keeps.

"The [consistently] righteous man is a guide to his neighbor, but the way of the wicked causes others to go astray." Proverbs 12:26, Amplified

If you are reading the New King James version, the first half of this verse reads so very differently. "The righteous man should choose his friends carefully..." (Proverbs 12:26a, NKJV)

It does not make a difference to the message of the verse, however. In choosing his friends carefully, the righteous man is making decision about who to surround himself with. In doing so, he becomes a guide, or example, to his neighbor. It is how we live our lives as Christians that speaks the loudest. Our examples will convert faster than the best sermon, because we are that sermon in motion. If a sermon were to have a name and a face it would look like me and be named Jeffrey. People do not want to hear the Word, they want to see it in action. The world has been letting them down with broken promises for years. When expectations are constantly unmet, words become cheap. Lets make a promise through our actions, win people to Christ with our lifestyles.

The Wicked One has been leading people astray for years with his words and misdeeds. If he can lead others astray, so too can we lead others to Christ.

Depression (Proverbs 12:25)

It is easy to get bogged down by the world around us.

"Anxiety in a man's heart weighs it down, but an encouraging word makes it glad." Proverbs 12:25, Amplified

Anxiety is caused by worry. Worry is simply lack of faith in our God. Yes, as human beings we have a tendency to see only the temporal and not the eternal. We have a tendency to see only the physical and not the spiritual. When we lose our focus on the Lord, anxiety sets in. Some translations use the word depression in this verse.

Depression is very real, and can be devastating to a Christian. For years, I have battled with depression. I used to take pills to help with my depression. Since i was seventeen I have not taken the pills. Over the years I have managed with the depression because a good word did make me glad. Of late, however, the fight is getting harder for me, so I must root myself deeper into the Lord.

I am meeting with a good friend today to help me with a tough decision today regarding depression. I know the Lord is with me.

Fortunes Flipped (Proverbs 12:24)

In the end, payment will be rendered.

"The hand of the diligent will rule, but the slothful will be put to forced labor." Proverbs 12:24, Amplified

Fortunes will turn in the end. The diligent will be in the place where they do not have to work anymore. Those who developed blisters from working, will rule from a plush throne. The men and women that proved their faithfulness will be rewarded.

When they are taken away from their labor, who will step into their places? The lazy and the slothful. Those who do not know how to work will be put to forced labor.

Hands that worked will be put to rest and the hands that did not will be stirred to sweat.

The Mouth (Proverbs 12:23)

The difference between the foolish and the wise man is their mouth. One is always open.

"The prudent man is reluctant to display his knowledge, but the heart of [self-confident] fools proclaims their folly." Proverbs 12:23, Amplified

What separates the foolish man from the wise and prudent man is only eighteen inches; from heart to head. Whatever knowledge the wise man has collected and stored, he waits to relinquish that knowledge to others. That knowledge might be detrimental to others, it may destroy others, it man hurt others. So his mouth remains closed, because he thinks before he speaks, emotion has little to do with what he thinks.

The foolish man does not care who is hurt by his verbal vomiting. They will spew their filth wherever and upon whomever. The think little about what is to be said because emotion has everything to do with what they think.

Truth and Lies (Proverbs 12:17-22)

There is one way to know the state of a man's heart. You listen to his words. It may take a while, but the intent of a man's heart will be made known by the subject of his conversation.

"He who breathes out truth shows forth righteousness - uprightness and right standing with God; but a false witness utters deceit." Proverbs 12:17, Amplified

I like reading this verse. "He who breathes out truth..." When truth becomes so much a part of our being, we actually live it and breathe it. Truth should be a second nature, just like breathing. But a man of wicked intentions cannot help but to utter evil and deceit. To not be in tune with what the Lord wants for our lives, we then have to align ourselves with something else. If we are not for God then we are for the world, and the world has nothing for us but deceit.

"There are those who speak rashly like a piercing sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing." Proverbs 12:18, Amplified

The book of James has one chapter dedicated to the tongue. It is a small but powerful muscle. To not think about what is going to be said can be like cutting someone to the heart. There are those out there who do not think before they speak, therefore they end up wounding more than making friends.

The wise tongue, however, brings about healing. Now I want whoever reads this to understand that the wise tongue can cut as well. The wise tongue speaks truth, and the truth sometimes hurts. But the cutting of the wise tongue is more like a surgeon's scalpel. The truth needs to cut out the lie.

"Truthful lips shall be established for ever, but a lying tongue is [credited] but for a moment." Proverbs 12:19, Amplified

The truth lasts forever, it does not change. Therefore the truthful person shall benefit from this; he too shall be established forever. But the one who speaks lies may get to where he is going. He may even establish himself for a while. But in the end, the truth will always win out. A man who lies needs to constantly lie to cover up lies, so his foundation becomes shaky because he must remember all the lies he has told. But the man who tells the truth does not need to remember anything he has said, because it is the truth.

"Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, but to the counselors of peace is joy." Proverbs 12:20, Amplified

One problem with being deceitful is thinking that everyone one else thinks as you do. But those who bring peace to others, by speaking truth, have joy of heart.

"No [actual] evil, misfortune or calamity shall come upon the righteous, but the wicked shall be filled with evil, misfortune and calamity." Proverbs 12:21, Amplified

This verse is speaking of the deliverance that comes from the Lord. If we were to read the Psalms, we might wonder if this verse is contradictory. David always wrote about the suffering that he endured, but he always spoke of the deliverance and the goodness of the Lord. Paul was another an of God who understood suffering. "And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for his heavenly kingdom." (II Timothy 4:18a, NKJV)

"Lying lips are extremely disgusting and hateful to the Lord, but they who deal truly are His delight." Proverbs 12:22, Amplified

Those who lie are disgusting to the Lord because they go against what the Lord is. He is truth. Those who speak the truth are His delight because they glorify God in their speech and deeds and conversation. The Lord hates lying lips, they are the direct opposite of who He is.

Truth is Devastating (Proverbs 12:15-16)

In the eyes of a fool, his ways are always right. I know that in your lifetime you have come across those people who you just cannot get to change their minds. I am not talking about standing up for what you believe in because this is admirable. I am talking about when you know that person is wrong, and everyone else knows that they are wrong, but nothing can be done or said to convince them otherwise.

"The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but he who listens to counsel is wise." Proverbs 12:15, Amplified

It is okay to think that you are right. There is no sin in thinking that you are right. It is when we are proven wrong that we must acclimate to the truth. Listen to that wise counsel when it comes your way. Remember, wisdom is knowledge applied. Take that new knowledge and apply it to your being. Truth is devastating, it radically changes you.

"The fool's wrath is quickly and openly known; but a prudent man ignores an insult." Proverbs 12:16, Amplified

The way a foolish and a wise man deal with daily life is vastly different. For instance, a prudent (or wise) man ignores insults that may be thrown at him. The heart knows the contents of a man. In other words, you know who you are, why defend it by hurling back insults? But the foolish man knows what is in his own heart. The truth is a devastating thing, it radically exposes.

Fruit of the Righteous and Works of the Wicked (Proverbs 12:12-14)

We have one of two options in this life. We can either bear fruit of ourselves or become the hunter. To choose the former is to accept the life the Lord has for us. And to choose the latter, we become Cain, a man who offered the Lord the work of his own hand.

"The wicked desires the booty of evil men, but the root of the [uncompromisingly] righteous yields [richer fuitage]." Proverbs 12:12, Amplified

In all pirate stories we have read over the years, we find that there is often a mutiny on board because the crew covet the riches of the captain. They want more and more. I think this was well displayed for us in the movie "Pirates of the Caribbean".

Evil men work for what they get and have to stay on guard, for there are others who covet what they have. In guarding your possessions all the time, you have no time to enjoy them. The new game to play is making sure that no one else can enjoy them.

However the root of the righteous yields much fruit. The righteous are rooted in the Lord. He is their supplier. In the nutrients that He gives, they are able to bear fruit. Have you ever seen a tree guard its fruit? That would be a silly thing. You see there is a extreme difference here. Evil men hide and hoard. The righteous man is placed here on earth to feed others. The fruit on the tree is not meant to nourish the tree, but to feed others. All the nutrients the tree needs are found in the soil that it is rooted in.

As long as we are planted in the Word of God, then we are getting all the nutrients that we need. From this symbiotic relationship, we then bear fruit for others to partake of.

"The wicked is [dangerously] snared by the transgressions of his lips, but the [uncompromisingly] righteous shall come out of trouble." Proverbs 12:13, Amplified

"A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks." (Luke 6:45, NKJV) It is true, what is placed in the heart is stored and will eventually find its way out. You have heard that one bad apple spoils the whole bunch. Once we open our mind to influences outside of the Lord, we risk that spoilage.

If we fill ourselves with the Lord and Him alone, the abundance of our heart will always deliver us. "But when they arrest you and deliver you up, do not worry beforehand, or premeditate what you will speak. But whatever is given you in that hour, speak that; for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit." (Mark 13: 11, NKJV)

"From the fruit of his words a man shall be satisfied with good, and work of a man's hand will come back to him." Proverbs 12:14, Amplified

The man who trusts in the Lord will always be satisfied from the Lord. When we are planted in the Lord, we ooze the goodness of the Lord. As good leaves us, good is returned. I understand that the life of a Christian is littered with many stories of sorrow and tribulation. The satisfaction we receive is being able to see the Lord in everything, including the bad. "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28, NKJV)

We cannot get the second half of this verse confused with verse 12 in this devotion. A wicked man seeks to satisfy himself with the work of his own hand. However, a man of God uses the works of his hands to glorify his God. Those works will come back to bless that man.

Tilling for Satisfaction (Proverbs 12:11)

The Lord blesses those who work for what they get. I am in no way saying that people who come from money are not blessed by the Lord. Having money or no money, the Lord still wants us to use our hands.

"He who tills his land shall be satisfied with bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits is lacking in sense and without understanding." Proverbs 12:11, Amplified

It is in the nature of man to do nothing. I would much rather not work. But I know my own heart would be consumed by a worthless pursuit. Does this mean that I am without sense? No. I have the sense and understanding enough to know that I must work and stay busy.

As of right now, I am not making a whole lot of money where I work. In fact it is about half the income that I am used to bringing home. I till my land by going to work everyday. In doing so, the Lord has blessed me with the ability to pay my bills, my mortgage, have food on my table for my family and clothes on our backs.

If I were to allow my heart to follow its own desires and lusts, I would lose everything. I pray the Lord give me the strength to make it through each day. His grace is enough for me.

Kindness (Proverbs 12:10)

It is in the nature of the righteous to be kind. However, the wicked know not how to be kind.

"A [consistently] righteous man regards the life of his beast, but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel." Proverbs 12:10, Amplified

There is not much that I am inspired to write about this verse. The only thing that I am reminded of here is the young boy with a magnifying glass over the ant hill.

One of the laws concerning animals can be found in Deuteronomy, "You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain." (25:4, NKJV) This is to allow the ox to satisfy its hunger as it worked. To muzzle the ox was to enact cruelty upon it by denying it food.

The wicked do not know how to show kindness the way the Lord has prescribed it. It seems that the world in general has developed its own ways of showing kindness. Even these new kind gestures are cruel in the eyes of the Lord.

Finding Honor (Proverbs 12:9)

In this life there are so many different people trying to make themselves bigger than what they really are.

"Better is he who is lightly esteemed but works for his own support, than he who assumes honor for himself and lacks bread." Proverbs 12:9, Amplified

Now if you are reading from the New King James version of the Bible, you will have a slightly different translation in the first half of the verse. It reads, "Better is the one who is slighted yet has a servant..." This does not make a difference in translation of the verse, for the idea is still there. To be lightly esteemed is to lightly honored. If one is due honor and not receive that honor is slighted. Or it could be someone in that place in life that does not receive very much honor.

To work for one's own support and having a servant may seem like polar opposites. However if we look at it a little differently we will find they are not so far apart. Remember, I stated that the idea was still the same. The one who works for his own support and the one with a servant have the same thing in common; they both have what they need to live. Though the one who works for his own support may not have a servant, he is not going hungry, just as the one with the servant is not going hungry.

Both these men are better than the one who honors himself and is lacking bread. There are those out there who would rather receive that pat on the back than bread in their bellies. "...honor is not fitting for a fool." (Proverbs 26:1b, NKJV) If honor is due, then honor will find you.

Do Not Wallow in the Glory (Proverbs 12:8)

With wisdom comes a commendation of sorts. Wisdom is knowledge, and with that knowledge there is a responsibility to use what you know accordingly.

"A man shall be commended according to his wisdom, but he who is of a perverse heart shall be despised." Proverbs 12:8, Amplified

To be commended for what you know is a great thing. It is an acknowledgment. I know in a few occasions that I have been called in to help out in a pinch. The knowledge that I had in a kitchen was used to bring about a favorable outcome. I was commended for that knowledge. (Remember that wisdom is knowledge applied.)

But we also have a responsibility to react accordingly. We can either chalk it up as a gift from the Lord and focus the praise on Him, or we can bask in the glory for that moment. the one who is of a perverse heart will wallow in that glory for a while. Soon it will smell like a pig pen. Glory, unduly retained, soon turns to muck. This wallower will find every opportunity to remind you of how he or she was able to save the day. Sin is merely taking what the Lord has given us and turning the focus away from him. Take for instance sex. It is a beautiful thing given to us by God for the purpose of procreation, but the sinful nature of man has made a booming market out of pornography.

The commendation that is received must be deferred to God. Yes we are the vessel that He chose, but there are many other vessels to choose from. Remember that the cup that sits on the king's table has the same purpose as the cup on the beggars table. They are both put there to serve. After either one is used, there is a gratification in the spirit of the man, and the cup will be used again.

The House of the Righteous (Proverbs 12:7)

The foundation of the righteous is none other that Jesus, the firm Rock.

"The wicked are overthrown and are not, but the house of the [uncompromisingly] righteous shall stand." Proverbs 12:7, Amplified

I had an interesting thought enter my mind as I read this verse this morning. The righteous and the wicked both have the same trials to go through. They both live on the same earth. Both have the same end, death. So what causes the righteous to stand in the face of trials? I cannot help but to revisit the Gospel of Matthew 6. Jesus is telling his disciples about the wise and foolish builders. The wise (or righteous) builder dug down and built upon the rock. That rock is Jesus Christ.

A prayer, a decision, a lifestyle separate the righteous and the wicked. A decision, a lifestyle, a prayer is the foundation of the righteous. A lifestyle, a prayer, a decision is what the wicked is lacking.

Alternatives (Proverbs 12:6)

The mouth always speaks what is stored in the heart. The heart is teeming with thoughts and desires, so much so that it spills into the reality of our lives. If we wish to conceal what is in the heart, we can only do so for so long before that dam gives way and we flood the conversation with the contents of our heart.

"The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the mouth of the righteous will deliver them and the innocent ones [thus endangered]." Proverbs 12:6, Amplified

The wicked wish to lie in wait for the of the innocent. This takes planning and patience. It also involves an ambush of sorts. The heart of the wicked will always give them away, there is not enough camouflage in the world to conceal it. The terrorists in the Middle East claim to have a religion of peace, but the contents of the heart have given them away. America was taken off guard and shed a lot of blood on September 11.

But we have the antithesis for this. The mouth of the righteous will delver the innocent. The righteous heart can give warning to the innocent as to the intent of the wicked. We know of the wiles of the devil, for we have the word of God to guide us. It is our duty, as brothers in Christ, to spread that Gospel truth. How can the innocent be saved if we do not speak? In a criminal court, one can be held partially responsible if they knew of a murder and did nothing to save the victim. How much more responsible should we be if we do not save the soul of the innocent? The innocent that if taken down by the wicked will be infected and himself become wicked. People need an alternative. We need to be that alternative. We need to speak that alternative.

Thoughts of the Righteous and the Wicked (Proverbs 12:5)

In the mind of the righteous, thoughts of good and not of evil reside. But in the mind of the wicked, the reverse can be found.

"The thoughts and purposes of the [consistently] righteous are honest and reliable, but the counsels and designs of the wicked are treacherous." Proverbs 12:5

When reading this verse, I do not feel that there is much to offer in way of interpretation. For when you read this verse, it is pretty self evident.

The thoughts that go through the mind of the righteous are good, honest and reliable. It takes an honest man to run a big business, it takes a good man to run this country and it takes a reliable man to lead a family. If any of those things do not exist in any of these men, then what they are placed in charge of will soon fall apart. Honesty and reliability are things that the men and women of this country used to look for in a candidate for president, or a spouse. Our ideals, as a nation, are changing. This nation is slowly falling apart because the thoughts and intents of the hearts of those we have elected to run this nation are treacherous.

Crown of a Husband (Proverbs 12:3)

The wife of a man is placed together with him to be his helpmate. The Lord established marriage to bring together two separate entities and make them one in spirit and heart and mind. The wife plays a very important role in this relationship. She is the bringer of joy and pride to her husband.

"A virtuous and worthy wife - earnest and strong in character - is a crowning joy to her husband, but she who makes him ashamed is a rottenness to his bones." Proverbs 12:4, Amplified

In the last chapter of Proverbs we find the description of the woman of God. Often it is referred to as the Proverbs 31 woman. The purpose of a wife is to bring help to her husband, this is why the institution of marriage was created. The Lord wanted to bring a helpmate for His creation Adam. She was created from a rib bone, close to his heart, under his arm, to come along side him. As she fulfills this role in the marriage relationship, it then becomes a crown of joy to her husband. Notice that it is not the acts that she commits or the role she plays. She becomes the crown of joy upon his head.

The crown sits upon the head of the king, or royalty. Out of all the items of clothing man has worn throughout the years, the crown has been the most ornate and beautiful. Not only is it beautiful but it also proclaims authority. It is a symbol of pride. Only one man in a nation would wear a crown. It distinguished that one man from the rest of the people.

But she can also become a rottenness to his bones. When she does not fulfill her role as a virtuous wife, the becomes a shame to him. It is possible for a woman to be independent in the marriage relationship, but this is not the role she was called to play. From this rottenness springs forth bitterness and resentment. He gets sick thinking about his own wife, because she is no longer his glory, but now she is his undoing.

Ladies, it is so important for you to be that crown of joy for your husband. However, men, we need to be that godly king who deserves that crown of glory. As we pursue Christ, so she will pursue us. Be that man of God we are all called to be.

The Roots of Righteousness (Proverbs 12:3)

To be firmly planted means to have a deep rooting in something. As we grow closer to the Lord our roots grow deeper and deeper into Him so that we will not be easily removed.

"A man shall not be established by wickedness, but the root of the [uncompromisingly] righteous shall never be moved." Proverbs 12:3, Amplified

When I read this verse I am taken back to the Gospel of Matthew and am reminded of the story of the two builders. One builder built his house on the sand. "The rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall." (Matthew 7:27, NKJV) Wickedness mimics that sand. Wickedness is never going to be a sure foundation. Wickedness does not look out for the best interest of its host.

In the story of the two builders we find that they both have the same sand, but the righteous one digs down to the rock. It rakes work to be established. Righteousness is not a walk in the park. Even more so that being established on a rock, the righteous flourish and thrive. Their rots grow deeper and deeper into what they believe in. As those roots get deeper, they get stronger. As those roots get stronger they get deeper. The deeper the roots get the closer to water they will become.

Favor (Proverbs 12:2)

To be in favor with the Lord, his heart must be in right standing with the Lord.

"A good man obtains favor of the Lord, but a man of wicked devices He condemns." Proverbs 12:2, Amplified

A good man obtains favor. This word "good" was once used to describe Jesus. Someone had run up to Jesus and called Him "Good Teacher". Jesus turned ad asked why He was called good since there is only One that is good and that is God. (Matthew 19:16, Mark 10:17, Luke 18:18) Being good defines someone that is line with the Lord. When our hearts are aligned with His will, then we can receive the blessing of His favor.

To be of wicked devices means that man is always scheming. The thought of evil is always n his mind. It would be best described as a junkie who is looking for his next score. It does not matter if he got high just two minutes ago, but how long will it be till he gets high again. The idea and planning consume him. The heart of the wicked man, or the one with wicked devices, works the same way. To have our hearts constantly turned toward sin is to invite the judgement of the Lord upon us, and that judgement if condemnation.

But we who have accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior know that there is no condemnation in Him. "There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit." (Romans 8:1, NKJV)

The Art of Correction (Proverbs 12:1)

Correction is a wonderful thing to have in out lives. It keeps us on our toes. Without correction, we would continue to make the same mistakes.

"Whoever loves instruction and correction loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is like a brute beast, stupid and indiscriminating." Proverbs 12:1, Amplified

To love instruction and correction is to love knowledge as this verse implicates. The Bible is a tool that the Christian can use for the purposes of instruction and correction. Jesus, in His ministry, corrected the religious leaders on a daily basis, because their hearts were clouded with pride. The Lord does not wish to correct us because He is a tyrant, but rather because He loves us. We need to embrace that correction and instruction.

To hate these things is be stupid. Stupidity comes in many different forms, however, the one that places the soul in jeopardy is the hatred of instruction and correction. To not receives these things keeps our hearts in a misguided walk. Our hearts will never be clean if we do not allow the correction of the Lord. The hardheartedness of the Jews caused the Gospel to go the Gentiles. The hatred of instruction and correction caused the Jews to shout, "His blood be on us and our children!" (Matthew 27:28)

Instruction and correction are designed to make us better people in general. To receive instruction and correction from the Lord makes us better servants.

Just Payment (Proverbs 11:31)

There will be payment for our actions on this earth, for the sinner and the saint alike.

"Behold, the [uncompromisingly] righteous shall be recompensed one earth; how much more the wicked and the sinner! [And if the righteous are barely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the wicked?]" Proverbs 11:31, Amplified

If the righteous are promised recompense while still on this earth, then how much more true is this for the wicked and the ungodly. To put forth an analogy I would have to say that every man is given the same building materials. What type of shelter he chooses to build is complete his choosing. The type of foundation is solely on his shoulders. It is like the man that built on the rock and the other that built on the sand in Matthew chapter six. Both built houses, but one withstood the trials of this life, the other fell.

The second part of this verse has perplexed me. The brackets indicate it is an addition that was not there. The amplified version attributes this to First Peter 4:18, "If the righteous is scarcely saved, where will the ungodly and sinner appear?" (NKJV) Peter pulled this from Proverbs 11:31. It is a but confusing. Here we have a verse in the Old Testament that attributes its contents to a book in the New Testament. And we have a book in the New Testament attributing its contents to a book in the Old Testament. A bit circular.

I read many different version of Proverbs 11:31 and none read like I Peter 4:18. The answer is quite simple. Though Proverbs speaks about recompense and Peter speaks about salvation, the contents of both are almost identical in idea and substance. The righteous will be recompensed and so will the sinner; is the righteous are barely saved then what about the sinner? We have to remember as well that the Bible has gone through many different translations. Peter was a Jew who spoke and read Hebrew, it is quite possible that this is how the verse in its original context read. In either case, the Holy Spirit allowed for two different versions of this one verse to appear in the context of the Bible.

The recompense of the righteous is that salvation as though through fire. And if the righteous are barely saved then the recompense of the sinner will surely be death.

The Winning of Souls (Proverbs 11:30)

It is our soul purpose of Christians to win souls to Christ. We are called to spread the Gospel. Long before Christ came to the earth, Solomon understood the saving of souls.

"The fruit of the [uncompromisingly] righteous is a tree of life, and he who is wise captures human lives for God [as a fisher of men] - he gathers and receives them for eternity." Proverbs 11:30, Amplified

Every tree is known by its fruit. One can walk up to a tree and partake of its fruit. At the first bite he can ascertain if he fruit is good or not. The same goes for the Christian. There are those who don the title of Christian and those who actually live the life of a Christian. "Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit." (Matthew 6:17, NKJV)

Solomon understood the importance of bearing good fruit. But he also understood the mission of the one belonging to God. That mission is to save souls. "The He said to them, 'Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.'" (Matthew 4:19, NKJV) Jesus called the twelve just as He calls us, for His purpose. "For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more..." (I Corinthians 9:19, NKJV) "Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins." (James 5:19-20, NKJV)

As a good tree, we must use our fruit to win over those who are lost, turn the stray back to the past of the truth. Fish bite the hook simply because they want what is on the end of it. Live your life like you believe and others will want what you have. My analogy is a little misguided because these fishermen that Jesus called used nets. If the net is thrown, we must understand that something will always be drawn in. We must, however, have the faith to throw the net.

Trouble in the House (Proverbs 11:29)

The foolish person will never be entrusted with a responsibility so they will always be the servant and never the master.

"He who troubles his own house shall inherit the wind, and the foolish shall be servant to the wise of heart." Proverbs 11:29, Amplified

To cause trouble to one's own house is a foolish thing to do. There is neither peace nor rest in a troubled house. Troubling one's own house is to inherit the wind. To try and catch the wind is futile. To try and harness the power of the wind or to control the wind is useless. No man can ever hold the wind in his hand and call it servant; no man can ever be master over the wind.

There is a book, eventually made into a movie, entitled "Inherit the Wind". The book is the story about the school system adopting the practice of teaching evolution to the children. It eventually became a court case and the side of evolution won. The book was called this because to teach children about evolution, that they are cosmic mistakes instead of intelligently designed beings is to trouble our house.

Then Solomon links the service of the fool to the inheritance of the wind. It is interesting how he does so. The inheritor of the wind is a foolish person. He will be a servant to the man with the true inheritance; the wise man. The wise man has a very tangible inheritance that he will use to lord over the fool. And please do not misunderstand; I do not mean that the wise are lords over fools, rather they take the place of master over those with less intelligence, possessions and position.

Firmly Planted (Proverbs 11:28)

Riches can get you so far in this life, but what good are they to you after you die?

"He who leans on, trusts and is confident in his riches shall fall, but the [uncompromisingly] righteous shall flourish like a green bough." Proverbs 11:28, Amplified

Riches are not the thing that one should rely on at all. If anything, our economy at this moment in time has taught me that money is unreliable. But the human being is a very physical creature who tends to trust in what he can see. It is amazing though that man is putting his trust in something he truly cannot see. Most of the money in America exists as a blip on a computer screen. What man is placing his trust in is the effects of the money that he has, not the actual money itself.

But the righteous man places his trust in the Lord and he flourishes. "Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper." (Psalm 1:1-3, NKJV) The righteous man knows where to place his trust and he flourishes as a result of that trust.

Notice the stark difference between the two: the man who trust in his money trusts the effects of his money, the man who trusts in the Lord his life is effected. Trusting in the Lord will always bring forth a change in the life of a person. Money, and it s effects, are based on an unstable economy. The value of money constantly changes but the value of the Lord has remained consistently the same throughout time.

The Seekers (Proverbs 11:27)

The Bible promises that if we seek after the good we will be blessed.

"He who diligently seeks good seeks [God's] favor, but he who searches after evil, it shall come upon him." Proverbs 11:27, Amplified

To seek after good is to seek favor from the Lord. We are told in the Bible that there is only One that is good and that is God (Matthew 19:17, Mark 10:18 and Luke 18:19). Searching for good is to search out the heart of God. Life is so much more blessed if we search for good.

But when evil is searched out we are promised not that we will find it, but that it will come upon us. There is one thing to find something and there is another to have it find you. AS our heart turns away from the Lord we loose the element of surprise and our senses get dull. Evil will have the upper hand.

Less is More (Proverbs 11:24-26)

It is a spiritual truth that if you give, more will be given back to you. A miserly soul wastes away in its own selfishness. But the generous soul thrives in riches as it gives. Now do not get me wrong or misunderstand what I am trying to say. The economy of the Lord does not mean that if you give a dollar, two more dollars will be given to you. How the economy of the Lord works is this: as you bless others, you too will also be blessed.

"There are those who [generously] scatter abroad, and yet increase more; there are those who withhold more than is fitting or what is justly due, but it tends only to want more." Proverbs 11:24, Amplified

I like the wording that Solomon uses in this verse. In the idea of scattering, one does not know how much he will let go of. The one who scatters reaches into his bag, gets a handful of whatever is there and tosses without thinking of how much is really being let go of. Generosity of the key, however.

But to withhold more than we should only results in our need for more growing. I think the most well known story in the Bible is that of Ananias and Saphira in the the book of Acts. In chapter 5, Ananias and his wife Saphira conspire with each other to sell their property and give it to the church, but to lie about how much they sold it for so they could keep more. In this conspiracy against the Lord and the church, they both died.

"Cast your bread upon the water, for you will find it after many days." (Ecclesiastes 11:1, NKJV) Casting one's bread on the water causes it to be destroyed. I remember having a lunch that I took to a cross-country track meet in Walnut, California. My water bottle had opened and soaked my sandwiches and chips. My lunch was ruined by the water. You throw your bread on the water with the intent of not receiving it back. But the promise of the Lord is that you will find it after many days. It will come back because generosity os always rewarded.

"The liberal person shall be enriched, and he who waters shall himself be watered." Proverbs 11:25, Amplified

This liberal person is not a Democrat. This person is liberal with his possessions. In the second part of the verse, it talks about watering. This is giving of yourself to others. The Lord would never allow us to give and give and give and give of ourselves without ourselves being refreshed. Every lake needs an outlet. With that outlet it also needs and inlet. The two work together in tandem. If the lake were to only have an outlet then it would soon dry up and be on no use to anyone. If the lake (or body of water) were to only have an inlet, it would become stagnant and of no use to anyone like the Dead Sea. So the two are so very important.

"The people will curse him who holds back grain [when the public needs it]; but a blessing [from God and man] is upon the head of him who sells it." Proverbs 11:26, Amplified

This is a very important verse for us to have in front of us. Notice that this verse does not speak about giving generously, it speaks about selling generously. There is an important place for the selling of our goods just as there is a place for giving freely. The blessings still exist for the seller and the giver alike. The idea is that we have in our hearts that the Lord will always take care of us when we give or sell out of our abundance; the Lord will always replace what has left our storehouses.

"But I say this: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or out of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver." (II Corinthians 9:6-7, NKJV)

The End of Things (Proverbs 11:23)

Whatever task we do or whatever path we take, it brings us to an end. For the righteous, it is good; for the wicked, it is bad.

"The desire of the [consistently] righteous brings only good, but the expectation of the wicked brings wrath." Proverbs 11:23, Amplified

In the heart of the righteous, only good is conceived. It is in the power and plan of the righteous to bring about a good end. However, the wicked have only evil on their heart continually. I do not believe that this wrath spoken of by Solomon is at all earthly. In the end, all will have to answer for their deeds. For the righteous, heaven awaits. Hell and eternal separation and the wrath of God await the wicked man.

Beautiful Pig (Proverbs 11:22)

Discretion is such a wonderful thing to possess. In our America today I think that it is the one of the many things that is not being taught to our children.

"As a ring of gold in a swine's snout, so is a fair woman who is without discretion." Proverbs 11:22, Amplified

This has got to be one of my favorite verses in the Proverbs. What Solomon is trying to convey here is beauty out of place.

Gold is a very precious metal. Even today it holds a high value. Why would anyone place that value in the nose of a pig? The pig is an animal that is synonymous with the non-kosher laws of the Jews. It was is a dirty animal. When the gold is placed in the snout of the swine, that value is compromised.

The same can be said of a beautiful woman who lacks discretion. Imagine a gorgeous woman at a gathering. As she walks the breeze plays with her hair. Every bit of her person is pure perfection. She is glancing over the crowd and then she picks you. Out of all the men at this gathering, this beautiful woman picks you. Your heart skips a few beats and your fingertips get a little tingly. She comes close to you and leans in to your face. Then she burps! The onions on her burger that she had for lunch are unmistakable. Or she begins a tirade of profanities for all to hear. Her beauty now becomes misplaced and compromised. She is not so beautiful anymore.

Litmus Test for the Heart (Proverbs 11:16-21)

In this next culmination of verses, Solomon stresses again the importance of righteousness. Righteousness will always lead to life, but wickedness will always lead to death.

"A gracious and good woman wins honor [for her husband], and violent men win riches; [but a woman who hates righteousness is a throne of dishonor for him]." Proverbs 11:16, Amplified

This is the first time in the book of Proverbs that Solomon references women. I like the fact that the first reference is in regard to a wife. It is so important that the relationship between a husband and wife be in good standing. I am reminded of the movie "The Taming of the Shrew" with Elizabeth Taylor. This man took this obstinate woman who did not bring any honor to her father and turned her into a loving wife who brought honor to her husband.

A violent and wicked man will always have his eyes on another prize: riches. Riches are the main concern of the wicked in this life, but the righteous man has other concerns. The righteous man can be content and poor if he were to have a gracious and good wife. But the wicked man will never be at peace with his own soul, though he obtain all the riches of this life.

"The merciful, kind and generous man benefits himself [for his deeds return to bless him], but he who is cruel and callous [to the wants of others] brings on himself retribution." Proverbs 11:17, Amplified

There are those in this life who live blessed lives simply because they bless others. To here the cry of the poor and destitute and reach out one's hand in compassion is a truly blessed life. This is the man whose concern is less for himself. There is an epidemic of "Meism" running about the world where people think that the center of the universe is themselves.

But the man who turns a deaf ear and a blind eye to the cry and condition of the less fortunate will have a life that is less blessed.

"A wicked man earns deceitful wages, but he who sows righteousness [moral and spiritual rectitude in every area and relation] shall have a sure reward - permanent and satisfying." Proverbs 11:18, Amplified

"For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life." (Galatians 6:8, NKJV) This is a spiritual truth in any nation culture or tongue. The man who is concerned more about riches is not concerned with how he obtains wealth, only that he get that wealth. Whether by honest and hard work or by dishonest means, his eyes are fixed on one prize. This is the same man that we found in verse sixteen earlier in this chapter of Proverbs. For the man who sows to the Spirit will receive everlasting life.Is there anything more satisfying and permanent for us than everlasting life?

Remember that the actions of a man reflect the nature and condition of his heart.

"He who is steadfast in righteousness - uprightness and right standing with God - shall attain life, and he who pursues evil does it till his own death." Proverbs 11:19, Amplified

This is what we just covered in the previous verse. If we are right with God we shall attain life for ever in the hereafter. But there are those who are not content with that. They must pursue evil till the day they die. The condition of the heart of a man who is not in right standing with God is atrophied. His own deeds will bring about his own demise.

They who are willfully contrary in heart are extremely disgusting and shamefully vile in the eyes of the Lord, but such as are blameless and wholehearted in their ways are His delight!" Proverbs 11:20, Amplified

I always enjoyed the word "wholehearted". It reminds me of humanity as it tries to fill itself with more and more evil. The man who does not know God will never truly be wholehearted; his heart will constantly be in pieces, always broken. But when the Lord gets a hold of us, then He takes the pieces and fills in the gaps and makes us truly wholehearted.

But to know what is right in the eyes of the Lord and be contrary to that is a bad place for us to be. Those who are in this place are vile to the Lord. "I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth." (Revelation 3:15-16, NKJV) This is a message from the Lord to His own church, the lukewarm church. This is the man who is vile to the Lord, the man who is willfully contrary to the Lord. Is that this what we are producing in the Lord, a need to vomit us out?

"Assuredly - I pledge it - the wicked shall not go unpunished, but the multitude of the [uncompromisingly] righteous shall be delivered." Proverbs 11:21, Amplified

solomon ends this list of verses with a promise. The wicked will be punished and the righteous will be delivered. It is time for a heart check. In these last few verses, we have a great litmus test. Check your heart brothers and sisters.

Cosigning (Proverbs 11:15)

The Bible uses a term called "surety". Surety is when you take financial responsibility for someone else. It sounds kind of odd, but it even takes place today in our society, it is called cosigning. When you cosign, you give the ability for the creditor to take away from you for the irresponsible actions of the other individual. Surety is highly frowned upon by God.

"He who becomes security for an outsider shall smart for it, but he who hates suretyship is secure [from all penalty]." Proverbs 11:15, Amplified

To become that security for another person takes in essence takes the responsibility of payment away from that person. I am in no way condemning anyone who needs a cosigner or has been a cosigner; nor am I saying that all who need a cosigner skip out on their responsibility. In cosigning we open ourselves up the the penalty of nonpayment. We become the debtor instead. The bank will receive its money one way or the other.

I feel that the reason for the hatred of suretyship is due to the fact that we become a cheap imitation of Jesus Christ. He became our surety for nonpayment. There is no way that any man could pay the price for sin, so He became our cosigner. The debt that once belonged to humanity now rested on the shoulders of he Son of God. Jesus was able to give up because He was able to take back. We, once the papers are signed, relinquish all rights and cannot take anything back that is taken from us. Jesus desires for every man to take responsibility for his actions.

If we are to have a healthy view of security, then we understand that we have power over it. When the opportunity comes we have the right and the obligation to say no. Once that word leaves our lips, then we will not suffer the consequences of our friend's (or family's) nonpayment.

Wise Counsel (Proverbs 11:14)

It is so important to have wise counsel in our lives. If we go about thinking that we know it all and do not need the help then we will be doomed to destruction.

"Where no wise guidance is, the people will fall; but in the multitude of counselors there is safety." Proverbs 11:14, Amplified

This wise counsel that we surround ourselves with can come in many different shapes and forms. The first thing that comes to mind is of course the Lord. Our pastor tells us almost every service, "Read your Bible and pray everyday." There are so many wise words within the text of the Bible; something for everyone and everything. Even the president of our United States surrounds himself with wise counsel of different sorts. I tell you it is near impossible to make a wrong decision in the midst of many counselors.

We are promised, though, that if we do not seek out wise counsel that we will fall. So I encourage the reader to seek out wise counsel. Do not just read my words but seek out other people's as well.

Loose Lips Sink Ships (Proverbs 11:13)

There are those of us who cannot keep a secret, or if we feel that something needs to be said we say it. Those who open their mouths too quickly often do not get all the facts right. Those with loose lips see what they want to see and say what they want to say regardless of those they may hurt in the process.

"He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy and faithful keeps a matter hidden." Proverbs 11:13, Amplified

The talebearer, though not defined as unfaithful, is compared to the faithful and trustworthy person. He is the antithesis of trust and faithfulness. We as humans need sounding boards to bounce our thoughts and desires and concerns off of one another. It is not our best interest to violate that trust by exposing our friend's and family's secrets. Lives and reputations are often destroyed by the works of talebearers. Secrets should only be exposed by the Lord, not man. Even then, the Lord does not expose our secrets. Out own actions from sinful secret behavior expose ourselves to the light. But the confessions of the heart remain between the confessor and his Lord.

Remember this one thing about the talebearer: he does not care what truth he may be speaking so long as he has a tale to tell.