Money with Wings (Proverbs 23:4-5)

Here we go with riches again. Remember, I have stated more times than I can recall, the Lord does not necessarily want us to be poor, He just wants our focus to be on Him alone.

"Weary not yourself to be rich; cease from this your own wisdom. Will you set your eyes upon wealth, when [suddenly] it is gone? For riches certainly make themselves wings, like an eagle that flies toward the heavens." Proverbs 23:4-5, Amplified

Riches are one of those things that promises everything but delivers little. I do not know how many times that my wife and I have gotten ahead and had a little stored away when something happens that takes it all. I mean thank God we had it, but the Lord always wants our focus to be upon Him. It was never the money that took care of the problem, it was the Lord who used to money to take care of the problem.

Investing with Return (Proverbs 23:1-3)

To be a man given to something means that you are a man who has a weakness considering that particular thing. In reality, the only thing that we should be given to is the Lord.

"When you sit down to eat with a ruler, consider who and what is before you; for you will put a knife to your throat, if you are a man given to desire." Proverbs 23:1-2, Amplified

If we are given to something we must realize that this is our Achilles Heel, so to speak. Our unhealthy desires can often become our own undoing, the object that will eventually supplant us.

"Be not desirous of his dainties, for they are deceitful foods [offered with questionable motives]." Proverbs 23:3, Amplified

The sweetest things in life always have a price tag. The only thing with a return on it is the Lord. As we invest in the things of this world, more and more of ourselves are spent. True investment does involve risk, but when it comes to our souls, why risk anything? AS we invest ourselves into the Lord, we find that not only does He offer a return, but He guarantees it as well.

Diligence (Proverbs 22:29)

Whatever it is you do, do your best.

"Do you see a man diligent and skillful in his business? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men." Proverbs 22:29, Amplified

This verse could not have said it any plainer. If we are diligent in what we do, we can only prosper.

Lest We Forget (Proverbs 22:28)

Remembering what the Lord has done in our lives is essential.

"Remove not the ancient landmark which your fathers have set." Proverbs 22:28, Amplified

Throughout the Old Testament we see the Lord instructing men of faith to erect altars wherever the Lord has worked mightily in their lives. Jacob built and altar after dreaming about the ladder, Joshua built an altar after crossing the Jordan to conquer the promised land. These were not altars to be used for sacrifice, rather they were set up to remember. When younger generations would pass by these altars they would ask why it was erected. The older generation could say the Lord worked mightily for His people right here.

We do not erect altars today, but we do not need to forget what He has done for us. There is a necessity for us to pass that information on to the younger generation. We need to remember lest we forget how He has worked on our behalf. It is too easy to forget His goodness and benevolence. Remember.

Cosigning (Proverbs 22:26-27)

Again, it cannot be stressed enough how much the Lord dislikes someone becoming surety for someone else. In other words, do not cosign.

"Be not one of those who strike hands and pledge themselves, or of those who become surety for another's debts. If you have nothing with which to pay, why should he take away your bed from under you." Proverbs 22:26-27, Amplified

What this is pointing to is placing our faith in mankind. We cosign with the belief that the one we cosign for will be responsible. Our faith can never be in man. I have a coworker right now who is dodging phone calls from a couple who cosigned for his car. Believe it or not, he is not paying the bill, now the creditors are after them. Growing up, my parents would not even cosign for me. I am so glad that they did not, because I was not yet responsible enough myself. I would have been the financial demise of my parents.

Tofu (Proverbs 22:24-25)

There are certain people whom we should not associate ourselves with.

"Make no friendships with a man given to anger, and with a wrathful man do not associate, lest you learn his ways and get yourself into a snare." Proverbs 22:24-25, Amplified

It is a simple concept, we will become whomever we associate ourselves with. This is inevitable. People are like tofu, taking on the flavor and characteristics of anyone and everyone around them.

Who's Got Your Back (Proverbs 22:22-23)

There are persons out there who are discriminated against simply because of their status in society. Realize, however, that the Lord has their backs.

"Rob not the poor [being tempted by his helplessness], neither oppress the afflicted at the gate [where the city court is held]; for the Lord will plead their cause, and deprive of life those who deprive the poor or afflicted." Proverbs 22:22-23, Amplified

How much more plain do you want to get. I know that in High School, the jocks would pick on the younger and the weaker of the school population. For some, that behavior is never unlearned and carried into adult life. The Lord says it plain and simply in His Word, "You shall not pervert the judgement of your poor in his dispute." (Exodus 23:6, NKJV) And again He says, "Execute true justice, show mercy and compassion everyone to his brother. Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the alien or the poor. Let none of you plan evil in his heart against his brother." (Zechariah 7:9-10, NKJV)

Words of Wisdom (Proverbs 22:17-21)

It is so important for us to listen to encouragement and advice from our elders. What needs to be realized is that these are not controlling devices, rather, they are guard rails to keep us on the right track.

"Listen [consent and submit] to the words of the wise and apply your mind to my knowledge; for it will be pleasant if you keep them in your mind [believing them]; your lips will be accustomed to [confessing] them." Proverbs 22:17-18, Amplified

First, the author encourages the reader to listen and apply themselves to his unique brand of wisdom. Remember that Solomon was the smartest man in the world. But this is the first step that we as believers need to take, consent and submit to the words and advice of those who are smarter and more experienced than ourselves.

We must do this because it will be pleasant for us. Notice that wisdom that comes from the Lord is never detrimental to the believer? But the more that we believe and accept advice and wisdom from the godly, it will be easier for us to confess that same advice and wisdom. If you ever have watched one of those infomercials, the people that they have selling the product believe that it works. If they did not believe, they would never be able to sell any, because one must believe what he is selling. Then, sometimes they have testimonials from customers who have purchased the product talking about how good it is.

None of this would have been possible, however, if the product had not worked. None of this would have worked if someone did not believe in the product. None of this would have been possible if someone had not confessed that belief to others.

"That your trust - belief, reliance, support and confidence - may be in the Lord, I have made known these things to you today, even your." Proverbs 22:19, Amplified

Why is he giving this advice to the reader? He is directing the reader to the Lord. This is the great litmus test of advice given. Where does it lead you. Is it something supported by the Bible. Is it something the Lord would approve of? Advice given must always draw us, push us, guide us toward the Lord. If it does not, then the advice is not good.

"Have I not written to you [long ago] excellent things in counsels and knowledge, to make you know the certainty of the words of truth, that you may give a true answer to those who have sent you?" Proverbs 22:20-21, Amplified

Solomon is reaffirming his reasons to writing these words of wisdom. This world is so full of uncertainty, but the truth never suffers ambiguity. We must receive the truth in order to give an answer to those who ask it of us.

Oppress (Proverbs 22:16)

When I read this next verse, I am reminded of America.

"He who oppresses the poor to get gain for himself, and he who gives to the rich will surely come to want." Proverbs 22:16, Amplified

This verse reminds me of taxes for some reason. The poorest of this nation get the hardest hit by taxes, but the rich get all the tax breaks. I mean to me, it makes no sense. I do not believe that this is the only reason why our nation is dying, but I do believe that this has been a contributor.

The Fruit of Discipline (Proverbs 22:15)

There is a time for every person to act as a child, but that time ends. As a child gets older, he must be taught how to grow and if he does not learn, then there is another way.

"Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far from him." Proverbs 22:15, Amplified

There is a big difference between discipline and abuse. The Bible encourages for a child to have discipline so that they may learn the way in which they should live. What would you rather have: a child be hurt temporarily by you out of love of hurt, possibly for the rest of his life, by a bad decision?

The Lord did the same thing to the Jews when they turned away from Him. Read the book of Judges. When the children of Israel fell into idolatry, the Lord brought a Gentile nation to put them under subjection. It was done out of love. We know this because of the outcome of the discipline. Whenever the Israelites had had enough, they turned their hearts back to the Lord.

This is what our discipline on our children should produce. That discipline should produce fruit of change and repentance.

Who Do You Love More (Proverbs 22:14)

There are many different things for a man to fall into, but the worst of all is that of an immoral woman.

"The mouth of loose women is a deep pit [for ensnaring wild animals]; he with whom the Lord is indignant and who is abhorrent to Him will fall into it." Proverbs 22:14, Amplified

There is not much to elaborate on concerning this verse. It is pretty self explanatory. Who ever the Lord abhors will fall into the mouth of an immoral woman. Her lies and soft words will grad the heart of that man. She will seduce any and all who have not fallen into love with the Lord.

Excuses are Like... (Proverbs 22:13)

It has been a while since I looked into the book of Proverbs. I hate feeling so sick that I cannot get up and read my Bible. This is only an excuse, just like the verse we are about to read today. Everyone has excuses, but it does not make them right.

"The sluggard says, There is a lion outside! I shall be slain in the streets!" Proverbs 22:13, Amplified

This is an obviously strange excuse for any person to use. But I think what Solomon is trying to point out here is that any excuse is almost too extreme. Notice, however, that he qualifies the excuse as being made by a lazy man, or a sluggard. This is a person who has almost perfected the excuse. I know that I have my excuses, I just hope and pray that they never get this extreme.