Honorable (Proverbs 25:4-5)

In order refine, refuse must be removed.

"Take away the dross from silver, and there shall come forth [the material for] a vessel for the silversmith [to work up]." Proverbs 25:4, Amplified

The dross is all the impurity in the silver. As those impurities are removed, the silver itself becomes more pure, therefore it becomes more valuable and the end product is that much more beautiful.

"Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne will be established in righteousness [spiritual and moral rectitude in every area and relation]." Proverbs 25:5, Amplified

The same can be said of ourselves and our hearts. If we remove the impurity of the world out of our vicinity, then we can be more focused on the Lord and become that much more beautiful in Him. "In a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel of honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work." (Second Timothy 2:20-21, NKJV) It is written in black an white how we are to conduct ourselves: either honorably or dishonorably.

What You Seek (Proverbs 22:4)

True riches are found in humility.

"The reward of humility and the reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord is riches and honor and life." Proverbs 22:4, Amplified

The three things that I feel are most prevalent in the minds of human beings is to find riches, to find honor and to find life. Within these three things, the person finds what he or she has been searching for.

However, if we wish to receive riches and honor and life we must first have that reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord. True riches are found in the Lord because He owns "the cattle on a thousand hills." (Psalm 50:10b, NKJV) Honor goes to those who first honor the Lord. "Honor the Lord with your possessions..." (Proverbs 3:9a, NKJV) And life to those who seek the Lord first. "Who 'will render to each one according to his deeds'; eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor and immortality..." (Romans 2:6-7, NKJV)

Everything that we need for this life is all tied up with the Lord.

Honor Your Father and Mother (Proverbs 20:20)

We all have lights, and we all have the potential to be lights. But our lamps can and will be put out under certain circumstances.

"Whoever curses his father or mother, his lamp will be put out in complete darkness." Proverbs 20:20, Amplified

We are called to love and respect our parents. I also want to point out that the Bible is mot sexist. Just because it says "he" does not mean it excludes you girls. All children are called to love and respect and honor their parents. In fact Paul wrote, "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 'Honor your father and mother,' which is the first commandment with promise: 'that it may be well with you ad you may live long in the earth.'" (Ephesians 6:1-3, NKJV)

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.