Proverbs: Instructions for Right Living

​King Solomon, when he was given the crown and praying did not ask God for riches, an enlarged kingdom or anything of the sort. He asked for wisdom and that God would be His guide throughout his reign. God not only made him wise but also provided the means to become very rich and powerful. This was a blessing and a curse as we now that even though Solomon had the first Temple built, he also went against the teachings of God and did many ungodly and immoral things later in life. One of the best things and the way he was forgiven was his imparting godly wisdom to his children.
          In Proverbs, Solomon gave much direction and clarification on doing what is right and wrong, then providing the rewards and punishments that would follow. His Proverbs were taught in American public schools through the early 1920’s but somehow, some Americans stopped listening to then and followed their own hearts. Was this a test of the Adversary, a rebellion against God, or just people trying to teach the children about God in their homes instead of school. One thing to remember, at this time there were people who were already tempted by wealth and the other seven deadly sins as spoken by the Holy Roman Catholic Church as well as this being a still young country and slowly moving to capitalism. How do we entice people in our current era to get back on track with God? How do we, as Christians, pronounce the wrongs of world society and make the world right in God’s eyes again? I believe the best start is written in the Proverbs Because David, Solomon, and those who followed in the wisdom books knew right from wrong. The best way to learn is by recognizing our faults, finding the correction in God’s Word, and making things right.
          There are a few Proverbs that I’d like to point out that I found while I was doing a short study this morning. But first, let us pray:
Father God, Supplier, Redeemer, Savior, Friend, Thank You for today. Father, teach us you wisdom through the Proverbs that were written so many years ago and are still, if not even more, relevant today. Guide and direct us to Your loving arms so that Your Word may correct and protect us from the Adversary and his mark in the world. Grant us insight so we may understand Your thoughts and live a life in You Father God. Thank You for Your Son, Jesus, without whom we are fully lost. In Your Grace and Mercy we are saved. Father, we pray this in Jesus name, AMEN
     There is a Proverb about too much time sleeping (being lazy) that the entitlement generation needs to hear:
A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man.   Proverbs 6:10-11
        Those that believe they can be lazy and rely on the government for means of living have another thing coming. The biblical consequence is to live in poverty and always wanting but never receiving enough. The consequence of a believer who is lazy in their faith: the lack of living for God and doing His work may lead to looking through the window at the great feast in the Kingdom.
Whoever shuts their ears to the cry of the poor will also cry out and not be answered.  Proverbs 21:13
          Not having an active faith will close Jesus ears to our prayers. If we truly believe and are in Jesus, doing the things He asks of us we will be rewarded, Hearing the cry of those in need and ignoring them is akin to ignoring God.
Whoever loves pleasure will become poor; whoever loves wine and olive oil will never be rich. Proverbs 21:17
          Living too much in the world and depending on it for happiness will never truly know the full Love of God. Dependence on worldly things for survival and not putting your trust in God will lead to unhappiness, loneliness, and poverty.
          Receiving a reward for your labor requires doing the work as prescribed. This works in two ways: You must work for what you earn and follow the law for the higher reward. Those who believe must also be. Solomon understood that following God’s Word is more important than having riches on this earth. It is more important than engrossing ourselves in the pleasures of this world.
          God’s Word provides for us instructions on living a good simple life without desires for anything outside of the basic means of being alive. When the people voted to remove God’s Word from the public school system (which was created initially by Christians by the way), it created an entrance for the Adversary to tempt and control us through earthly means. We have become numb to this and God’s Word has been modified, mistranslated, and corrupted to ease the society into a belief that is not truly of God.
          Brothers and Sisters in Christ, it is time to stand up for what is right, our faith is consistently in danger. Look at the school systems that provide for other religions and call it a deeper understanding of the other faith systems while leaving Christ out and corrupting the minds of our youth through telling them that certain immoral behaviors are ok. Is this truly how we want the future generations to live so that they may die and never see God? Stand Firm do not be moved by our iniquities but be moved by the Holy Spirit to do what is right in the eyes of God and not our own. Live for Him not against Him. Laugh for the Joy of the Lord is good. Love but understand when it needs to be tough love. Show God’s Grace and Mercy in our lives so others may desire God living in them as they see it in us. And Last but not least, Keep God’s Word in your heart, meditate on it daily and live as He desires of us, trusting in His Mercy and Grace.
God Bless