Text: Prov 20:17 ESV

17 Bread gained by deceit is sweet to a man, but afterward his mouth will be full of gravel..

-Prov 20:17 ESV

CRIME DOES NOT PAY

There is a temporary pleasure involved in sin (Prov 9:17). It may give fleeting pleasures.[Heb 11`:25] But the consequences of that sin will come, eventually. Those results can be intensely bitter.

The metaphor is about one eating something sweet but later he finds he’s mouth is bleeding. Yet this is what sin does. It promises freedom and pleasure (Gen 3:4–5) But, unbeknownst to the person it leads to misery and slavery (Gen 3:16–19; Rom 6:17–18; Jas 1:13–18). This is the same as the phrase "crime doesn't pay." That is, the eventual consequences greatly outweigh the short-term benefits. There is more trouble than benefit in committing a crime.

One sad example is Achan. he ignored God's warning. He hid the forbidden items and suffered. Joshua and the people of Israel took Achan and confiscated the illicit goods. Achan's sons and daughters and all accomplices in the theft were brought to the Valley of Achor, where they were stoned to death.[Joshua 7:21–25],

The warning today is “Be sure your sin will find you out.”[Num 32:23] Regret in life is always the result of presumptuousness. That, one can continue sinning without dire consequences.

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Text: Prov 20:16 ESV

16 Take a man's garment when he has put up security for a stranger, and hold it in pledge when he puts up security for foreigners.

-Prov 20:16 ESV

PUT UP SECURITY

This verse emphasizes the risk a creditor takes in granting a loan. The debtor or cosigner may never repay the debt. The creditor—the one lending money or property—is advised to hold something from the borrower to help guarantee the debt will be repaid. The garment, in this case, serves as a pledge.

However, there is a warning to show compassion according to the law of Moses. In Ex 22:26–27, Moses writes, "If ever you take your neighbor's cloak in pledge, you shall return it to him before the sun goes down, for that is his only covering, and it is his cloak for his body; in what else shall he sleep?" he added further in Deut 24:10–13, saying, "When you make your neighbor a loan of any sort, you shall not go into his house to collect his pledge. You shall stand outside, and the man to whom you make the loan shall bring the pledge out to you. And if he is a poor man, you shall not sleep in his pledge. You shall restore to him the pledge as the sun sets, that he may sleep in his cloak and bless you. And it shall be righteousness for you before the LORD your God."

Other proverbs warn about taking on debt, especially on behalf of others (see Prov 6:1; 11:15; 22:6). There is a caution about ascertaining the character of those who seek to borrow. The warning is on lending "for a stranger" and "for foreigners." "Foreigners" is translated from the Greek word, that has reference to an immoral woman.[Prov 7:5] And, most likely, they were worshippers of idols (Deut 7:1–5). Lending is dangerous to people we don’t know, especially to the immoral.

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God’s Word for Today

6 Mar, 2025

15 There is gold and abundance of costly stones,

but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.

-Prov 20:15 ESV

MORE THAN PRECIOUS JEWEL

Solomon makes an interesting comparison the value of speaking knowledgeably with the value of gold and jewels. He concludes that wise words are more precious. This valuation of godly wisdom (Proverbs 1:7; 3:1–6) is expressed in numerous ways in the book of Proverbs (Proverbs 3:13–15; 16:16; 22:1). Well-considered, well-timed, well-spoken wisdom is an incredibly valuable gift (Proverbs 8:11; 15:23; 27:9).

Jesus is the embodiment of wisdom. Jesus even claimed, "The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life" (John 6:63). The crowds followed Him to hear what He would say, and it was said that "no one ever spoke like this man" (John 7:46). When Jesus asked His disciples if they would abandon Him, Peter quickly affirmed, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life" (John 6:68).

Paul describes Jesus as one "in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" (Colossians 2:3). Jesus has always spoken wisely. He taught with authority about heaven, the value of human life, righteousness, pleasing and glorifying God, and genuine love for God and others.

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25.051 | DEAL HONESTLY | Proverbs 20:14 | God’s Word for Today with Pastor Nazario Sinon

God’s Word for Today

5 Mar, 2025

“Bad, bad,” says the buyer,

but when he goes away, then he boasts.

-Prov 20:14 ESV

DEAL HONESTLY

“The buyer haggles over the price, saying, 'It’s worthless,'then brags about getting a bargain!” [NLT} It's possible for someone to bargain for a low price, only to brag later about what a great deal they got. Or, for a seller to "talk up" something so a buyer spends more on it than they need to.

This practice can become dishonest. Deception and lies in business are forms of theft, are they not? Some buyers or sellers overtly deceive a potential transaction. Instead of making a fair-yet-profitable deal, they trick for personal gain. It's cheating as much as are false weights or rigged scale (Prov 20:10, 23). Both stealing and lying violate God's ten commandments, which are "You shall not steal" and "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor" (Ex 20:14,6).

The apostle Paul also points out the evil of stealing and lying. He states: "Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor." [Eph 4:25] The apostle implores, "Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands." [Eph 4;28] Even in Col 3:9, he commands, "Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices."

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Text: Proverbs 20:13 (ESV)

Love not sleep, lest you come to poverty;

open your eyes, and you will have plenty of bread.

LOVE NOT SLEEP

Sleep is a gift from God. [Psa 127:1] Sleep and rest are good (Prov 3:21–24; Ex 16:23–30). However, it could be abused. Loving sleep is equated with laziness. And. Its consequence is disastrous - poverty. (Prov 6:4; 10:4). In contrast, the hardworking person is at much less risk of poverty than the person who is sluggish. However, the person who sleeps when they should work is at risk.

Some people prefer to sleep rather than face reality. He presumes everything will be well. “Slothfulness casts into a deep sleep, and an idle person will suffer hunger.” (Prov 19:15). A common symptom of severe depression is unusual sleepiness or fatigue. But the reality is that God-honoring work is both therapeutic and essential. God mandated man to work and be productive. He said to Adam and Eve, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”[Gen 2:27]

The apostle Paul actively engaged in work. He was a tentmaker. He was contented but not passive like a lazy man. [Phil 4:11-13] He told the elders of the church at Ephesus, "I coveted no one's silver or gold or apparel. You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me. In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he has said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive."[Acts 20:33–35]

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Text: Proverbs 20:12 (ESV)

12The hearing ear and the seeing eye,

the Lord has made them both.

THE HEARING EAR AND THE SEEING EYE

The Creator designed mankind with the ability to both see and hear. Two pairs of eyes and ears are designed for us to obtain knowledge. Thus, we need to pursue truth diligently - in all forms and by all means. Like unearthing gold and silver, we must dig deeper to discover truth. (Prov 2:1–5; 11:27) This emphasizes the idea of "cautious skepticism," which means gathering-in all information before making a judgment (Acts 17:11; 1 John 4:1; Gal 1:8). Like the Bereans, they spend more time digging the Scriptures before believing Paul’s teaching.

How a person interprets what they perceive is crucial (Rom 1:18–20). The previous verse noted that how a person acts speaks to their character—such evidence should be carefully noted (Mat 7:16–20; 1 Cor 6:9–13). Paul predicted that the time was coming "when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions" (2 Tim 4:3). In other words, they will follow teachers who tell them what they want to hear instead of what they need to hear. Jesus identified true believers as those who hear His voice and follow Him. He said, “o him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.” (John 10:3–4).

There is a need to carefully consider what a person exposes their eyes and ears to. Paul exhorts, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.” (Phil 4:8–9). A person can spend time either looking or listening to good things or evil. Either we focus on the things that are uplifting or things that are morally destructive.

Thus, today and every day, we should surrender our eyes, saying, "Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law."[Psa 119:18] Thus, the psalmist declared: "I will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless" (Psalm 101:3). “Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways.”[Psa 119:37]

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Text: Prov 20:10-11 ESV

10 Unequal weights and unequal measures are both alike an abomination to the LORD.

11 Even a child makes himself known by his acts, by whether his conduct is pure and upright.

-Prov 20:10-11 ESV

HONESTY

Theft and dishonesty are detestable before the holy God. (Ex 20:15; Prov 6:16–19). The practice of cheating in business here is portrayed as the use of deceptive measurements. A buyer is made to believe that the weight he used is right. But, this crooked seller is using two different sets of weights. He switched both without his knowledge. The Hebrew phrase literally says something like "weights and weights, measures and measures," calling such things despicable in God's eyes. It's one clear example of the charge made in verse 9 by Solomon that no one is pure and clean from sin. (see v. 9).

For greed of wealth, cheating in business has always been a practice for mankind. This can involve literal weights or scales tampered. The same sentiment is repeated in verse 23, with additional emphasis on using deceptive scales. It also applies to any form of deception, whether it relies on physical tricks or corrupt record-keeping. The Lord always sees the transaction. Nothing is hidden from His eyes. (Heb 4:13). No one can cheat and escape God's notice and judgment. All dishonest transactions are an "abomination" to Him.

Honesty is revealed by the acts of people including children.

“Even a child makes himself known by his acts, by whether his conduct is pure and upright.” [v.11]

A dishonest person may claim he is honest but his deeds may reveal the opposite. It should be cultivated in the lives of children. Proper parenting or nurturing may result to godly and honest kids who fear the lord.

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Text: Prov 20:8-9 ESV

8 A king who sits on the throne of judgment winnows all evil with his eyes.

9 Who can say, “I have made my heart pure; I am clean from my sin”?

-Prov 20:8-9 ESV

GOD’S JUSTICE & MAN’S IMPERFECTION

It is the ideal for kings to exercise equity and justice. “It is an abomination to kings to do evil, for the throne is established by righteousness.”(Prov 16:12). The role of "king" should be grounded in godliness and justice (Prov 8:12–15; 14:34; 29:14). Solomon is speaking firsthand as a king himself. He had been given a special dose of wisdom from God (1 Kings 3:9–12). His eyes could separate those telling the truth from those who were lying. Here, this is compared to the "winnowing" process whereby the grain is separated from the chaff.

Jesus is the Judge (James 5:9). In Matthew 25:31–46, Jesus will judge the nations during His Second coming.. As the all-knowing, all-seeing, and all-wise Judge, He will divide believers from unbelievers, rewarding His people and punishing those who reject Him. The book of Revelation shows readers the great white throne judgment. When this takes place, all unbelievers throughout history will be appropriately tried for their sins and cast into the lake of fire. While earthly judges have finite knowledge and are subject to error, Jesus has infinite knowledge and cannot make a mistake. His judgment is flawless—there will one day be a perfect "winnowing" of all evil. He knows all men.[John 2:25]

The next verse is a question based upon the truth that God is the perfect Judge. It's possible for a person to be "blameless" in the sense that others could not find reasons to criticize their morals (Job 1:1; Psa 15:1–2; Luke 1:6; Phil 2:15; Titus 1:6–7). But, can a person claim that he is morally perfect in the eyes of God? Definitely, not! His heart is deceitful. [Jer 17:9] All are sinners. (Rom 3:23). Purity in God's sight cannot be achieved by any man. It comes only to those who believe on Jesus Christ as their Savior (John 3:36). He is the only sinless man (Heb 4:15). His sacrifice at the cross is sufficient payment for the sins of the whole world (1 John 2:2). Yet only those who accept Him as Savior receive forgiveness and cleansing (John 3:16–18). Revelation 1:5 ascribes praise to Christ as the one "who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood." Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 5:21: "For our sake [God] made [Jesus] to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God."

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God’s Word for Today

27 Feb, 2025

7The righteous who walks in his integrity —blessed are his children after him!

-Prov 20:7 ESV

INTEGRITY AND ITS BENEFITS

As he wrote this proverb, Solomon may have been reflecting on his father, David. (Proverbs 10:1) David was known as a man who "walked in" integrity (1 Kings 3:6). As one of David's sons, Solomon was blessed. The Lord granted Solomon a peaceful, prosperous kingdom and great wisdom.

The example of a godly and righteous parent brings many benefits. (Prov 1:7; 3:1–6) Wisdom from God makes a family less prone to risks and failures in life (Prov 8:35–36; 10:9). It promotes one's reputation in the eyes of others (Prov 3:35; 20:3). Nurturing children with proper wisdom sets them up for success in life ((Prov 13:24;19:18).

Joseph must have led his son Jesus with his godly example. Although Joseph was not Jesus' biological father, he acted as His father, and was known for being fair and honorable at the start. (Luke 1:31–35; Mat 1:19). It was awkward situation for him when of his betrothed wife Mary became pregnant. Yet, Joseph obeyed God's command to take Mary as his wife (Mat 1:20–25). Later on, when God commanded him to take Mary and Jesus to Egypt, he obeyed without hesitation. Later, when Herod died, an angel commanded Joseph to take the family back to Israel, he again obeyed right away (Mat2:13–23).

Undoubtedly, as a man whose life demonstrated a pattern of honoring God's will, Joseph set a good example for the boy Jesus. Jesus grew up and has "increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man" (Luke 2:52). Moreover, Jesus learned from him to work diligently the carpentry trade.

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God’s Word for Today

26 Feb, 2025

6 Many a man proclaims his own steadfast love, but a faithful man who can find?

7The righteous who walks in his integrity —blessed are his children after him!

-Prov 20:6,7 ESV

A FAITHFUL MAN WHO CAN FIND?

Solomon pointed out earlier that "mere talk" does not benefit anyone (Prov 14:23). As the English expression is that "talk is cheap." Many people brag about the wonderful things they will do. That includes declaring their loyalty and friendship to others. But when times become hard, and friendship requires sacrifice, many people suddenly disappear. However, a true friend loves at all times (Prov 17:17) he is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. [Prov 18:24). In other words, Solomon has highlighted the rarity of a person whose loyalty lives up to their "big talk." Rarely does anyone find someone who fully keeps their word, showing loyalty to God and others.

Let us learn from the apostle Peter. Having a big mouth was his weakness. He bragged that he was willing to fight and die for Jesus (John 13:36–38). To his credit, he tried to fight (John 18:10) before fleeing away (Matthew 26:56), but then he lied out of fear when his loyalty to Christ was tested (Mat 26:69–75).

Certainly, believers can depend upon Jesus. He keeps His word and love them unconditionally. He cannot lie, can He? (Titus 1:2). He is the truth! (John 14:6). Furthermore, He will always love us. In John 13:1, John tells us, "Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end." Paul adds this assurance by saying, “ Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 As it is written,

“For your sake we are being killed all the day long;

we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”

37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”[Rom 8:38–39] He is our only loyal friend who will never leave us or forsake us. (Heb 13:5).

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