Every time we sit down with these verses, I realize just how practical God’s Word is. It's like it lands right in the middle of real life. Isn't that exciting!?
I don't know about you, but when I read these each day, they cause me to slow down and ask myself if I'm walking in wisdom, or if I'm just doing what feels right in the moment.
Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity,
than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool. (v1)
Um....wait a minute. I don't think our culture got the memo on this one. We’re told success means money, image, or status.
But God says that integrity is better!
Honesty, purity, faithfulness...THOSE are riches in His eyes!
You can be broke and blessed, or wealthy and miserable. Which one are you chasing?
The foolishness of man perverteth his way:
and his heart fretteth against the Lord. (v3)
I’m sure you’ve been there a time or two. We make careless choices and then blame God for the mess we’re in. That’s actually a common reason people turn against Him...instead of being accountable for their own actions, they charge the consequences to God’s account. But the truth is, it’s often our pride or impatience that got us there. Proverbs 19 reminds us not to point fingers at heaven when the problem is staring back at us in the mirror.
Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger. (v15)
Laziness ISN'T harmless. It leads to poverty, hunger, and missed opportunities. God made us to work, to create, to move forward. This isn’t about hustling yourself into exhaustion...it’s about refusing to waste the life He gave you.
Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying. (v18)
We can agree that discipline isn’t cruelty...it’s mercy. It’s steering someone away from destruction while there’s still time. That’s true for parents, but also for spiritual brothers and sisters. Love corrects. If we’re too scared to say the hard truth, are we really loving at all?
There are many devices in a man’s heart;
nevertheless the counsel of the Lord, that shall stand. (v21)
We can make plans, dream dreams, draw up strategies, and set goals - but God’s purposes prevail. It’s not meant to discourage us - it’s meant to steady us. Because if my plan crumbles but His purpose remains, I’m safe. There's so much reassurance there!
He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord;
and that which he hath given will he pay him again. (v17)
Every act of kindness matters! When you help the poor, when you show mercy to the hurting, when you give out of love, you’re giving to God Himself. And He sees. He repays. Nothing is wasted. (Hopefully, you do for others because of the genuine love you have and not just because you want to be rewarded.)
Integrity, humility, diligence, correction, kindness, and trust in God’s counsel? Yes, please! If we live this way, our lives reflect wisdom. If we don’t, we risk being called fools by the very God we claim to follow.
Ask yourself....are my daily choices reflecting the wisdom of God or are they reflecting the foolishness of man?
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