The Fool (Proverbs 17:16)

Wisdom is not exclusive to a certain type of people or a certain sect of society. Anyone can become wiser.

"Of what use is money in the hand of a [self-confident] fool to buy skillful and godly Wisdom, when he has no understanding or heart for it?" Proverbs 17:16, Amplified

Solomon understood the idea that wisdom is available to everyone but could not understand why the fool had the same opportunities as non-fools. It has been stated before that the fool has said in his heart there is no God, so why give him the opportunity for wisdom? We serve a truly awesome God. In order or Him to be a just God, He must give all the same opportunities. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever should believe in Him should not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16, NKJV) no one has a corner on the market when it comes to knowing the Lord. Even the fool has the opportunity to know Him.

The American Standard (Proverbs 17:15)

There are those who like to turn things around. It is happening in America today. Evil deeds are being justified and those who seek the Lord's path are being condemned. This is all happening under the guise of tolerance.

"He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous are both an abomination - exceedingly disgusting and hateful - to the Lord." Proverbs 17:15, Amplified

It is a dangerous thing to justify the wicked and condemn the righteous. In doing so, one places himself in direct enmity with God. During their trek through the wilderness, the Lord stated, "Keep yourself far from a false matter, do not kill the innocent and righteous. For I will not justify the wicked." (Exodus 23:7, NKJV) But isn' this what is happening in America today. Criminals have more rights than the victims. Homosexuals are looking to redefine God's first institution with man - marriage. Politicians are caring ore for money and special interests than for their constituents. Sinful hearts justify sinful behavior. For if I am practicing sin then for me to justify sinful acts is to allow everyone to be just like me then I become normal. The standard in America is dropping because the standard of the heart is no longer God. It is much easier to allow everyone else to slump to my level than for me to rise to His.

The Dam (Proverbs 17:14)

The Bible compares strife to water in that water can be extremely damaging.

"The beginning of strife is as when water first trickles [from a crack in a dam]; therefore stop contention before it becomes worse and quarreling breaks out." Proverbs 17:14, Amplified

Water seeks out its own level. It will seep through any crack it can find in order to find that balance. In doing so, it can destroy whatever is holding it back. It reminds me of the old story of the boy who stuck his finger in the dyke in order to stop the water from destroying his town. Everyone else saw the crack and ignored it. The young boy, however, saw the potential hazard of ignorance.

Water's natural tendency is to erode. Ask any scientist how the Grand Canyon was formed and they will tell you that the Colorado River carved its way through the earth over millions of years because he understands the nature of water. (I want it to be noted that I do not believe that the Grand Canyon was formed this way. I believe in a very young earth and believe that a great cataclysm such as The Flood most likely formed the canyon.)

Strife is exactly like water. A tiny bit can be potentially hazardous to a relationship. If a little is seeping through a crack, what larger body is lurking behind the dam? We are not talking about random acts of violence. There are signs for us to see. The idea is to act and not react. Take the time to place your finger into that hole to stop the flow. Correct the fault before it overtakes you.

Spiritual Laws (Proverbs 17:13)

Payment due for services rendered is a good thing. But what if one is paid for what he does not do? Or what if one is rewarded for the evil that he has performed?

"Whoever rewards evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house." Proverbs 17:13, Amplified

This verse is not a good suggestion or even a warning. This is a promise. If evil is rewarded as if it were good, the rewarder will ever have evil present in his house and life. Forgive the comparison, but it sounds similar to the idea of karma. Good comes back to those who do good and evil comes back to those who do evil. We read in the New Testament, "Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he ho 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 6:7-8, NKJV) Does this verse support karma? No. What this verse is doing is solidifying the spiritual truth found in Proverbs 17:13.

The idea of evil for good is not something foreign to the human heart.Even Jeremiah questioned the validity of repaying evil or good. "Shall evil be repaid for good? For they have dug a pit for my life. Remember that I stood before You to speak good for them, to turn away Your wrath from them." (Jeremiah 18:20, NKJV) In all his years of service to the Lord, Jeremiah did not have one convert. He had a message for the people that the captivity of Babylon was approaching. Instead of heeding his words, the people ignored and threatened Jeremiah. Though he had no converts, but had plenty of questions, Jeremiah remained faithful. Though the world around us may seem to be unforgiving and only give us evil for the good that we perform; remain faithful. Everybody gets what they deserve in the end

Bear vs Fool (Proverbs 17:12)

Bears are creatures that are referenced quite often in the Old Testament and once in the New Testament.

"Let [the brute ferocity of] a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather than a [self-confident] fool in his folly [when he is in a rage]." Proverbs 17:12, Amplified

Apparently, according to the Bible, it would be a more pleasant experience to be attacked by a bear than to meet a foolish man in his rage. The question is, Why?

A bear is an animal driven by instinct. She will do anything it takes to protect her cubs. But what happens when the perceived threat is eradicated, or the perpetrator neutralized? The Lord likened Himself to a bear when He spoke to the prophet Hosea, "I will meet them like a bear deprived of her cubs..." (Hosea 13:8a, NKJV) This is in regards to the judgement that He would bring upon Israel. But is the Lord going to continually judge His children? No. As punishment is doled out, so wrath is appeased. So like the bear, it will only attack so long as there is a threat.

The foolish man however is driven by emotion and lust. He will lash out at anybody or anything. There is no rhyme or reason to his ferrel state. When we read our history books, we find many different fools that the world met in their folly. Hitler was a man in folly killing so many Jews and even today that spirit resides in Aminijad. In Europe, the Catholic Church pioneered the Inquisition. On our own soil we can read about the Salem Witch Trials. And more recently, the fall of the Twin Towers. All these events were devastating to many people.

Just a side note: the bear has reason to attack whereas the fool needs no provocation.

Rebellion (Proverbs 17:11)

When one submerses himself into evil, he is consumed by evil. Hunger, thirst, desire are all driven by evil.

"An evil man seeks only rebellion; therefore a stern and pitiless messenger will be sent against him." Proverbs 17:11, Amplified

Being evil is to be in direct contradiction with the will of God. One who has evil in his heart does not wish to be in subjection to God. But all must give account as to their actions. The Hebrew word for messenger is often also translated as angel in other places in the Old Testament. In his book, "The Remarkable Wisdom of Solomon", Henry Morris writes, "It is thus quite possible that the cruel messenger may be an avenging angel sent by God to stop his subversion." Why must the rebellious man be stopped? Lee Iacocca once said, "By gnawing through a dyke, even a rat can drown a nation." Rebellion is a disease of the soul that easily infects others around it.

Words Cannot Change Everyone (Proverbs 17:10)

Everyone needs to be explained things in their own way. Everyone understands in their own way.

"A reproof enters deeper into one of understanding than a hundred lashes into a [self-confident] fool." Proverbs 17:10, Amplified

What this verse is saying is that a foolish man will never change if the only tool at his disposal are words of correction. It will take only a physical beating for the foolish man to respond to change. We see this everyday. Look at the drug addict who hears the words of friends and family begging and pleading for him to stop. The fool will not change with mere words. The addict has to hit his rock bottom, loose everything, kill someone in order for the message to be received.

The Work of Gossip (Proverbs 17:9)

True love and true friendship cover sins. In other words, forgiveness can be found.

"He who covers and forgives an offense seeks love, but he who repeats or harps a matter separates even close friends." Proverbs 17:9, Amplified

We are all human and we all sin. but there are those out there who wish to cover those sins just as Christ covered our sins. This is not to say that these people have the ability to forgive as Christ forgave, but the matter is forgiven and forgotten. "As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us." (Psalm 103:12, NKJV) This is love: forgiveness. As human beings we are always going to make mistakes and step on toes. But to forgive and to forget is all about that new, fresh start.

But there are those out there who are talebearers and gossips who wish to repeat that matter. There is nothing in the verse to show that the one repeating the matter is the one who was offended. Everyone raise your hand who is guilty of gossiping at times. I think my hand is raised higher than anyone else's. The idea of one repeating the matter or an event or what someone said only has destruction and dissension as the outcome. I can just here it now. Kids on the playground. One comes up to another and asks, "Did you hear what so-and-so said about you?" As adults, we must come to a place in our walks where we can differentiate between repeating a matter to hurt and repeating a matter to inform. There are times in life when things must be exposed.

So Prospers the Briber (Proverbs 17:8)

Bribes are gifts from someone who feels they have a unique possession to give someone else. In other words they feel they have something that no one else possesses.

"A bribe is like a bright, precious stone that dazzles the eyes and affects the mind of him who gives it; [as if by magic] he prospers whichever way he turns." Proverbs 17:8, Amplified

A bribe is intoxicating to the possessor in that he feels empowerment. He has a corner on the market and he is ahead of the game. With his gift (as the New King James calls it) where ever he turns, he has success.

The bribe soon only has an affect on the possessor. When I read this ring I think of the Lord of the Rings trilogy and the effect of the ring on Golem.

It is interesting how the Bible does not seem to condemn the bribe. Should it really be called a bribe are is it really a gift? Strong's Concordance is inconclusive as to which it really is. Is the prospering felt only in the mind of the possessor or does he actually prosper? I have never given a bribe or felt compelled to give one in that it is illegal.

This is one of the hardest verses I have come across because it seems to be so ambiguous. In Moral Maxims: Virtue and Vice, George Washington wrote, "Few men have virtue to withstand the highest bidder." He meant that every man has a price. Is that why the briber seems to prosper because every man has a price tag within the depths of his eyes? Can all be bought? I guess I will never know.

Who a Person Truly Is (Proverbs 17:7)

There are certain character traits that you will not see in certain people. For instance, you will never see a bum drinking his tea with his pinky out. And sometimes you will see certain character traits in people that disgust because you know they do not belong. Like the televangelist who his caught with his mistress.

"Fine or arrogant speech does not become [an empty-headed] fool; much less do lying lips become a prince." Proverbs 17:7, Amplified

An educated person. a person from wealth or an aristocrat has a certain air about them. Posh speech is a dialect of the upper class. However, when a fool tries to disguise himself and talk as they do, he just may be found out quicker than he expected. It reminds me of this old show I used to watch, in it was a clip of four children doing something but one of the four was doing something different. It begged the question, "One of these kids is doing his own thing, which one is it?" What the first half of the verse is trying to depict is that there are some who cannot lift themselves up to a higher place because of the definition of who he is. The man in the first half of the verse is a fool. Nowhere are we given the information that he is trying to change his situation only that he wants others to believe he is otherwise. Think of it like a hippo who desired to be a zebra. The hippo painted black and white stripes all over his body and began acting like a zebra. How many do you expect would be fooled by his outward transformation?

And then there are others who are in that higher place who debase themselves. In the second part of the verse we hear about lying lips on a prince. We never expected our President to lie about weapons of mass destruction just to encourage a war. It was not becoming of our President because he is supposed to be a man of integrity. The higher in society we are, the clearer people can scrutinize us. Think of it like trying to find one person in a crowded room. You may have a description of the particular person that you want, but the search will take a while. Now take that same crowded room and that same person, but have him stand on a chair. How much easier is it to find him? Integrity cannot afford lying lips or any other debasing characteristic.

Children (Proverbs 17:6)

Lineage was a very important thing to a person back in this era. Even today it means something.

"Children's children are the crown of old men, and the glory of children is their fathers." Proverbs 17:6, Amplified

A family line is a sort of symbiotic union of persons. The "children's children" being spoken of is referencing grandchildren. I know that as I grew up, I brought some shame onto my father's head. But as I matured and found myself in the Lord and became married that my father joy could be found in my children. And again, as I grew up, my father brought a lot of shame on my head, but as he found the Lord in his life I couldn't have been prouder of him.

"Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward." (Psalm 127:3, NKJV)

Spiritual Law of Mockery (Proverbs 17:5)

There is a spiritual law that we must acknowledge in the verse selection this morning.

"Whoever mocks the poor reproaches his Maker, and he who is glad at calamity shall not be held innocent or go unpunished." Proverbs 17:5, Amplified

There are those in this world who are less fortunate than ourselves. The American society is tiered, this is called capitalism. Our economy thrives on this concept. This is why there can be three different gas stations on three separate corners with three separate prices and the highest priced gas station still operates just as well as the lowest priced one. If we all were the same and had the same income then this would be communism. There is no more USSR, simply because communism does not work.

I went off subject just a second so that we could get an idea of what it was that this verse is trying to teach. Just because there are those less fortunate in our capitalistic society does not mean that they are due less respect than the rich. It has been my experience that the poor tend to work harder than the rich because they need to get by from paycheck to paycheck. (This is not to say that the rich do no work at all.) When we take time out of our day to mock those who are less fortunate we reproach the Maker of all things. There is nothing ambiguous about whose Maker the verse is speaking about. The Lord has made all things for His own pleasure. He has made the poor man as well as the mocker. When we mock the poor man, we are mocking God's own creation.

Then second part of the verse I have to say I have participated in more than the former. There have been times that I have been happy for the demise of someone that I did not like, or simply wished for something bad to happen. Do you realize that when this stance is taken we will not be held innocent by any means? Being glad at the calamity of others is a violation of spiritual as well as moral law. This spiritual truth is laid out for us in the book of an obscure prophet. He was sent to a people who were happy about the fall of the Israelites. "But you should not have gazed on the day of your brother in the day of his captivity; nor should you have rejoiced over the children of Judah in the day of their destruction; nor should you have spoken proudly in the day of distress. For the day of the Lord upon all nations is near; as you have done, it shall be done to you; your reprisal shall be upon your own head." (Obadiah 12&15, NKJV) This prophecy was given to Edom who was descended from Esau the brother of Jacob. All are subject to this law.

Fortifying the Heart (Proverbs 17:4)

When our hearts are far from the truth, anything will satisfy our thirsty hearts.

"An evil doer gives heed to wicked lips, and a liar listens to a mischievous tongue." Proverbs 17:4, Amplified

Both persons described in this verse are practicing in the flesh. There is the evil doer. His heart is given over to evil and will be swayed by anything that come his way. And the liar will be swayed by an evil and mischievous tongue. In essence, both will be brought down by their own mode of evil.

This is why we need to seek the truth and fortify ourselves within it. As we practice what is good, wicked lips will have no sway over our hearts because we are founded upon the Son. As we practice the truth, mischievous lips will not tempt us, for we can discern the truth. Fortify your hearts.

The Refiner's Fire (Proverbs 17:3)

This is quite possibly my favorite verse in the Proverbs.

"The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold, but the Lord tries the hearts." Proverbs 17:3, Amplified

The refining pot and the furnace are referencing two processes in which precious metals are purified. As they are pulled from the earth, both metals are an amalgamation of different things. As fire is brought into the picture, a purification process begins. The fire causes all that is not gold or solver to rise to the top and it is skimmed off leaving a more pure product.

But just as fire purifies gold and silver, so the Lord desires to purify His children. In our purification process, He uses the fire of trial to temper our hearts and make us more pure. David called out to the Lord, "Examine me, O Lord, and prove me; try my mind and my heart." (Psalm 26:2, NKJV) The first step in our purification process is to cry out to the Lord for help. In order for us to become more pure, we must want it, or we will just succumb to the trial and give in to temptation. "I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, even to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doing." (Jeremiah 17:10, NKJV) Next is to understand the the Lord is the only One who can exact purification upon us, He is the great smith who produces a beautiful product. But what is the purpose of purification? "He will sit as a refiner and a purifier of silver; He will purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer to the Lord and offering of righteousness." (Malachi 3:3, NKJV) Replace "the sons of Levi" with your name. "He will purify Jeffrey, and purge him as gold and silver, that he may offer to the Lord an offering of righteousness." How awesome is that, that the Lord has the time to purify me and make me better. He has the time and the ability to purify each one of us to make us more pure vessels to be uses in a righteous manner.

The fire does get hot and uncomfortable, but as we pass through we become better men and women for the Lord. "He is like a refiner's fire and a launderer's soap." (Malachi 3:2c, NKJV)

Sharing the Inheritance (Proverbs 17:2)

We should never come to the conclusion that we have anything coming to us. For it is just as easily taken away as it is given.

"A wise servant shall have rule over a son who causes shame, and shall share in the inheritance among the brothers." Proverbs 17:2, Amplified

Just because one is the son of a father does not mean that he will have free reign in his house. There are those sons who have caused their father's, and therefore their family's, much grief due to a wretched lifestyle. Back in this era, a servant might be placed over a son in order to ensure he was constantly watched over and that same servant might just be thought of as more of a son than the real thing.

This is what happened to us. The chosen people of the Lord turned their backs on Him. This is not to say that we were ever servants of the Jewish people or that we have dominion over them. What I am drawing a conclusion to is that we can now share in the inheritance with the brothers.

Stress and Digestion (Proverbs 17:1)

Peace is such a wonderful thing. Peace brings about a better life.

"Better is a dry morsel with quietness than a house full of feasting (on offered sacrifices0 with strife." Proverbs 17:1, Amplified

Which would you rather have, a full belly or a peaceful night? The dry morsel is the better choice for the human being for a couple of different reasons. First realize, however, that it is a dry morsel and not crumbs. The dry morsel would be something that could satisfy the body and give it the nutrients it needs, but be just a little bland. Peacefulness is great for the digestive system. Strife, or stress, would only be detrimental not only to the experience of the dinner, but our health as well. In an article published in CVS Caremark in June 2009, Chris Woolston wrote, "The impact of stress on the stomach goes far beyond indigestion... In recent years, doctors have uncovered a remarkably complex connection between the brain and the digestive system. The entire system is extremely sensitive to our moods. In fact, experts now see that stress is a major player in a wide range of digestive problems including irritable bowel syndrome, indigestion and heartburn."

It is better for the body to eat in peace. As long as the bodies need for nutrients is met, what more is needed? To be satisfied with a feast for the thirty minutes to an hour it takes to eat it is not worth the lifetime of digestive problems.

The Casting of Lots (Proverbs 16:33)

The casting of lots was a common practice in early history. We see this practice a few times in the Bible.

"The lot is cast into the lap, but the decision is wholly from the Lord - even the events [that seem accidental] are really ordered by Him." Proverbs 16:33, Amplified

Lots would be cast in order for important and/or spiritual decisions to be made. It may even be that the most common casting of lots for ancient Israel may be the Urim and Thummim. They were two rocks kept in a pouch and they were used in the making of very important spiritual decisions. For example we read, "He shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who sahll inquire before the Lord for him by the judgment of the Urim. At his word they shall go out, and at his word they shall come in, he and all the children of Israel with him - all the congregation." (Numbers 27:21, NKJV) And in another place we find, "And Saul inquired of the Lord, the Lord did not answer him, either by dreams or by the Urim or by the prophets." (First Samuel 28:6, NKJV) According to tradition, the Urim and the Thummim were two different colored rocks, possibly one black and the other white. When the people wanted to inquire of the Lord, they were consult the Urim. The question would be asked, and as either rock was pulled out, the answer would become apparent: black for no, white for yes. Another tradition holds that one of the rocks would actually glow, so that when a question was asked, both rocks were pulled out and if the one was glowing then the answer was yes. In truth we know very little about the Urim and Thummim. All we do know is that the keeper of the stones (if that is what they were) was the high priest as can be found in Exodus 28:30.

The most known story in the Old Testament had to have been that of Jonah. As he was fleeing form the Lord on his way to Tarshish the merchant ship he was aboard hit a horrible storm. Jonah ordered the men to cast lots to find who was at fault. The lot fell to Jonah and because of this, he was cast over board. Even in the New Testament we find the casting of lots for the twelfth disciple to take Judas' place. Lots were cast for the garments of Jesus as well.

Lots were the end all of disputes and the guide by which decisions were made.

The Fruit of the Spirit (Proverbs 16:32)

Self control is a concept I feel is waning in the American culture.

"He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his own spirit than he who takes a city." Proverbs 16:32, Amplified

Being slow to anger has to do with controlling emotion. Solomon compares the controller of anger to a mighty man and calls the former the better. It is so easy to allow our emotions to get the better of us. The apostle Paul understood this and he wrote to the one of the churches, "Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor and evil speaking be put away from you with all malice." (Ephesians 4:31, NKJV) Being put away with all malice means to violently expel them from your person; it is actually kind of oxymoronic. But this is how it has to be, we need to get violent with violent emotion so that we do not get violent with our fellow man. There is a time and a place for anger, but we need to be men and women who are not consumed by it. When anger rules a life, Jesus has no place in the heart.

As we become slow to anger, we become more savvy in the ruling of our own spirits. Solomon likens the controller of his own spirit to one who takes a city and calls the former the better. Now controlling the spirit entails more than just curbing anger. Controlling the spirit has a reign on all emotion such as greed, gluttony, lust and anger. There are more emotions than I have time to list, but you get the idea that we must become the masters of our emotions or our emotions will indeed become the masters of us. Paul wrote, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law." (Galatians 5:22-23, NKJV) Having no law against these things means that there is nothing evil anyone can say regarding a persons actions when operating in the fruit of the Spirit.

Beauty, Wisdom and Glory (Proverbs 16:31)

Age is a gift from the Lord that comes with a conditional wisdom.

"The hoary head is a crown of beauty and glory, if it is found in the way of righteousness - of spiritual and moral rectitude in every area and relation." Proverbs 16:31, Amplified

This "hoary" head is actually speaking of gray hair. Gray hair is a sign of beauty, wisdom and glory. It speaks of someone who has been there and done that. At the feet of the silver-haired grandparent or even parent a child should want to sit and listen to stories.

But this beauty, wisdom and glory comes with a condition. The person having the hoary head must be found in the way of righteousness. I know everyone one has come across that crotchety old person who hates everything and is unhappy with every condition. But there is something different about the elderly who is following the Lord. There is a peace as he or she comes to the end of things. The silver-haired person knows that the beauty, wisdom and glory must be passed on to the next generation. My father was a man who developed gray hair very late in his life. But with that gray hair came a respect and admiration for him because his walk with the Lord had turned for the better. A lifetime of lies and deceit turned into a life of servitude.

The Miserable Man (Proverbs 16:27-30)

There are many different facets to an evil man, many different things to look out for. Here are just a few.

"A worthless man devises and digs up mischief, and in his lips there is a scorching fire." Proverbs 16:27, Amplified

This is not to say that this man is of no worth to the Lord. The worthless man in this verse sees no value in himself, o if he is miserable then he must find others to make miserable. Whatever beauty surrounds that person of interest then he wishes to burn it down. There was a scholar who once said, "Miserable being must find more miserable being, then he is happy." In truth the miserable will never be happy for there will be others who are happier than he.

"A perverse man sows strife, and a whisperer separates close friends." Proverbs 16:28, Amplified

Again, this verse focuses on the miserable man trying to make himself happier. But another aspect unfolds here into the psyche of the miserable man, he is also perverse. If he cannot attack the singular then he will go for the plural. To sow strife is to break up friendships, or to cause a community to turn against itself. I know that we have all done it at least once in our lives. I remember a time in high school when I was mad at someone so I began a rumor that was intended to hurt this one in particular person and cause his friends to turn from him so I could scoop up their friendships. Strife is meant for one end, destruction.

"The exceedingly grasping, covetous and violent man entices his neighbor, leading him into the way that is not good." Proverbs 16:29, Amplified

The covetous man wants everything that others have. He feels that he deserves them more than those who have them so he must do all he can to spoil their enjoyment. I know I have been guilty of feeling covetousness. There have been times that I feel others had too much where I had too little. It all boils down to misery again. Covetousness is spoken of in the Ten Commandments and it simply means that you are not happy with what you have. Just because others have what we do not does not mean that we need to destroy their experiences. (I am not saying that we all feel like this, I just know that at times I have felt this way in fact more recently than I care to admit.)

"He who shuts his eyes to devise perverse things, and who compresses his lips [as if in concealment] will bring evil to pass." Proverbs 16:30, Amplified

This word picture of shut eyes and pursed lips brings to mind a person in deep concentration. What this verse is essentially saying is that anyone can bring evil to pass. In order to do so, however, we must first put on the mantle of the perverse and miserable man.

Be happy with what the Lord has given to you.

Good Hard Day's Work (Proverbs 16:26)

This next verse seems a little selfish when read, but I assure you, it is connected to a spiritual law.

"The appetite of the laborer works for him, for the need of his mouth urges him on." Proverbs 16:26, Amplified

There are many different types of laboring in the world. There is the labor of an expectant mother bringing her child into the world. Most of us work for a corporation or a business where we labor for our boss. In early America, slaves labored for their masters. And the list goes on. But there is one thing that all these have in common: they all must eat.

I remember working for Denny's, I hated my job, because that is all it was a job. It wasn't even a 9 to 5, it was a 9 to whatever time I could exit the building. But I worked my little fanny off because I needed to eat and to pay my bills. I worked so hard because I needed to care for my family. What this verse is trying to convey is that we all work to the best of our abilities to support ourselves and/or our families. Paul wrote, "For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: if anyone will not work, neither shall he eat." (Second Thessalonians 3:10, NKJV) In order to receive, one must contribute. This was the whole idea behind Social Security and Disability. The government wanted to take care of its citizens after a long life's work or after an injury on the job. But you must have had a work history in order to receive these benefits. Sometimes we must fight for what is rightfully ours, but the Lord promises that if we work, we will be taken care of. The Lord watches after his own and cares for us.

Prayer and Supplication (Proverbs 16:25)

There are many different paths for us to take in our lives. But what paths should we choose to take?

"There is a way that seems right to a man and appears straight before him, but at the end of it are the ways of death." Proverbs 16:25, Amplified

On a daily basis, there are many different choices to make. In life, there are goals to meet. How are we to make these choices and meet these goals? Prayer and supplication. When a choice confronts us, all we can do is speculate as to the end of things. All I can do is vacillate between what may and may not happen. But there is another in my life who is omniscient. The Lord knows the end of all things just as He knows the beginning.

This reminds me of an old asian story I had heard. There was a young man who fell in love with the kings daughter. The princess loved this young man as well, but the father was against it. So he offered the young man a challenge. There were two doors. Behind one of the doors was a tiger and behind the other door were beautiful women. The challenge was set for the next day. That evening the father told the daughter what door lead to the tiger and what door led to the women. The daughter stole away that evening to meet her love and told him what door to pick. When the next day came the young man awoke with confidence. He made his way to the door and chose, walked through it and died from a tiger strike. Why would his love choose the tiger? She was afraid of losing him, she did not trust the lust in man with the beautiful women that were behind the second door. She had no faith or trust in him and she saw the finite ending of things.

The Lord sees all and knows all. When choices make their way to us, lay them before the Lord. We should never take the position of knowing what is best for us. Pray and supplicate. Jesus prayed three times in the Garden to allow for the cross to pass and to find another way. He was afraid. When the Father's position was clear to Him, He went to the cross knowing it was the Father's will. Pray and supplicate bothers and sisters.

Pleasant Speech (Proverbs 16:24)

Peace, ease and comfort are always present when words are soft.

"Pleasant words are as a honeycomb, sweet to the mind and healing to the body." Proverbs 16:24, Amplified

There is a time and place for harsh words and there is a time and place for words of comfort. In the Bible we find this verse, "To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven: a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down and a time to build up; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war and a time for peace." (Ecclesiastes 3:1, 3 & 8, NKJV) The words of Jesus were not always pleasant, they were harsh when they needed to be. There is an old saying that you catch more flies with honey than vinegar. We, as Christians, need to keep in mind the appropriateness of pleasant words. While dying on the cross, Jesus never uttered a word of contempt. As one thief reviled Him, He never opened His mouth to condemn him.