God’s Word for Today

5 Dec, 2024

22 Do they not go astray who devise evil?

Those who devise good meet steadfast love and faithfulness.

23 In all toil there is profit,

but mere talk tends only to poverty.

24 The crown of the wise is their wealth,

but the folly of fools brings folly.

- Prov 14:22-24 ESV

WORK YOUR TALK

A rhetorical question like “Do they not go astray who devise evil? implies the gravity of the consequence of evil doings. Scripture often points out the great danger in that choice, both on earth and in eternity. In contrast, those who follow God's goodness more often experience good in this life and have corresponding hope in the next (John 3:36). The sinner's thinking is twisted. He thinks deceit and craftiness could bring rich rewards, but such thinking is flawed. Plotting evil can bring temporary advantages but it always leads to divine judgment (Psalm 73:1 -19). Those who pursue good experience the unfailing love and faithfulness of God. Jeremiah describes this in Lam 3:22–23, saying "The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."

There is no benefit in just mere talk. Talk is cheap. We call this ‘talknology’. They are the ‘NATO’ people, that is, No Action Talk Only. Words are easy, but unless we act upon our words, it rarely leads to anything of value. It's easy to talk all day about what we want to achieve, but if we do nothing but talk, we achieve nothing. In almost all cases, success comes only to those who work the plan to do. The slogan ‘Just do it’ makes sense. The wisdom given is that a grand, impressive plan or a speech about what will be done is not nearly as effective as actually doing something. If plans, or "mere talk," never becomes "toil," then the talk is useless. The smallest action is better than the grandest intention.

Most lazy people do talk big but ending up impoverished. But the diligent has wealth in the end. They are crowned with such honor. A godly, wise person who is diligent and hardworking (Prov 14:23) can give generously to the needy and have opportunities to provide for others. They can use their wealth to serve God. Whereas, the fools engage in foolishness and hurtful pursuits. They don’t use their wealth to help others and to serve God. When life ends, they will have nothing to look forward to except judgment (John 3:36; Prov 10:7).

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God’s Word for Today

4 Dec, 2024

20 The poor is disliked even by his neighbor,

but the rich has many friends.

21 Whoever despises his neighbor is a sinner,

but blessed is he who is generous to the poor.

- Prov 14:20-21 ESV

BE GENEROUS TO THE POOR

In this world, wealth does determine relationships, does it not? It’s a reality that people will befriend someone, who is rich. It’s not surprising. Rich people could help them as they have the resources. Whereas, the poor neighbor has no resources to help others. The poor person often experiences social injustice as their neighbors shun him. On the other hand, the rich have an easier time finding help and support. People snub the poor but befriend the rich to get something from them. Indeed, fake friendship and true friendship are worlds apart.

The apostle James condemns the prejudicial treatment to the poor and the hypocrisy of favoring the rich. He cites the occasion in which a man wearing a gold ring and expensive clothing receives far better treatment than a poor man in shabby clothing. When the men enter the believer’s gathering, the rich man is ushered to a good seat, whereas the poor man is told to stand. In condemning this prejudice, he emphasized that God has chosen the poor to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom. (Jas 2:1–9)

It's a sin to despise the poor. The word rendered "despises" here is from a root word literally meaning "to show contempt" or "to belittle." Those who sneer at the poor or fail to care for them sin against the Lord. Those prejudiced people may have pride, stinginess, and hatred against the poor.

The flip side of this issue is the blessing the Lord pronounces on those who show generosity to the poor. God made provision in the Law for the care of poor people (Ex 23:11; Lev 19:15; 23:22; Deu 15:7–8).

“Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed.”[Prov 19:17] In the New Testament, Jesus tells a story of a rich man and a poor beggar. The rich man could have shown kindness and generosity to the beggar, but he didn't. The beggar had to try to satisfy his hunger by eating scraps from the rich man's table. When both died, the situation swapped. The beggar enjoyed blissful comfort, whereas the rich man was in torment and longed to have a drop of water placed on his tongue (Luke 16:19–31). The point of that parable is not that a person's eternal destiny depends on how they treat the poor. Rather, it's that earthly wealth is not a sign of moral conduct, even corrupt morals.

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Text: Proverbs 14:17-19 (ESV)

17 A man of quick temper acts foolishly,

and a man of evil devices is hated.

18 The simple inherit folly,

but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.

19 The evil bow down before the good,

the wicked at the gates of the righteous.

THE PRUDENT IS CROWNED WITH KNOWLEDGE

A person with a short temper is like a volatile substance. A little spark an trigger a big explosion. This ‘flying off the handle’ at either the slightest provocation, or for no reason at all, shows how foolish a person is (2 Pet 2:12). It operates on instinct, not on careful thought. Having been controlled by their temper, they may say or do things they will later regret that land them in trouble (Prov 14:3, 14). James warned us, "Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God." [Jas 1:19-20] By the the Spirit’s control, let us keep our anger at bay. [Eph 4:31] God can transform an angry person to be humble like the apostle John. He transformed him from a "son of thunder" into the apostle who appealed for brotherly love (Mark 3:17; Luke 9:54; 1 John 3:11).

A short tempered person will be hated by others just as the one who devices evil. This manipulative person who takes advantage in others will surely loss the respect and honor from others. He has a pre-meditated plan to harm others.

Solomon mentions in v.18 that the simple will inherit folly. The term translated "simple" here means someone too easily convinced or unreasonably trusting. Not every claim made by other people is true, or worth following. But, the gullible person accepts lies too easily. This approach gains them nothing but "folly." That flaw is translated from a word implying more than mere stupidity or error. His wrong choices will lead him away from God and invite disaster (see Prov 5:23; 13:16; 16:22; 19:3; 22:15). In contrast, the prudent person is shrewd in a good sense (Mat 10:16). He accepts God's Word as his guide, and therefore adds knowledge as he meets life's challenges (Prov 1:7). He learns to depend upon God's Word and the Holy Spirit for daily guidance and direction for the future (1 Cor 2:14). He grows in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ (2 Pet 3:18). To the prudent person, knowledge is like a crown; it enables him to trust God instead of his sinful impulses, and he reigns over temptations and trials. He is a victor over difficult circumstance instead of a victim of those circumstances.

Sadly, the wicked will eventually resign in defeat in the future. Evil may seem triumphant now. But, God's eternal perspective, all evil bows down before the righteous. The complete fulfilment of this awaits the return of Christ to rule the earth (Rev 19:11–16). At that time, He will subject the nations to His rule (Rev 12:5). Phi 2:10 states "that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."

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Text: Proverbs 14:14-16 (ESV)

14 The backslider in heart will be filled with the fruit of his ways,

and a good man will be filled with the fruit of his ways.

15 The simple believes everything,

but the prudent gives thought to his steps.

16 One who is wise is cautious and turns away from evil,

but a fool is reckless and careless.

THE PRUDENT GIVES THOUGHT TO HIS STEPS

The "backslider in heart" literally means "a turned-aside heart," or "a perverse understanding." He’s someone who has rejected God's wisdom in favor of their own preferences (Prov 1:7; 3:5; 14:11–12). Life is like throwing a boomerang. "What goes around comes around." Paul said, "Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up."[Gal 6:7–9]

The fool promotes ‘blind faith’. Their gullibility is in contrast with the wisdom of thoughtfulness (Mat 10:16). Likewise, the Galatian churches were gullible. Instead of clinging to the true gospel Paul had proclaimed, they believed what false teachers told them. The false teachers preached a false gospel that required circumcision and conforming to the law of Moses for salvation. Paul called the Galatians foolish and bewitched. It is because they had begun in the Spirit but had succumbed to the belief that the works of the law were necessary for salvation (Gal 3:1–3).

The wise are cautious and avoid danger; fools plunge ahead with reckless confidence. [v.16 NLT] The word translated as "cautious" here is from the same root word as the "fear" connected to "the fear of the Lord" in other verses. This implies respect or reverence, in contrast to something careless or arrogant. The Lord Jesus epitomizes wisdom in every situation, including the situation in which one is tempted to do evil. The devil tempted Jesus when He was physically weak after fasting for forty days and forty nights in the wilderness. Yet, He warded off all the temptations by quoting Scripture. Every believer should follow Jesus' example and take the sword of the Spirit, which is God's Word (Eph 6:17).

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Text: Prov 14:11-13 ESV

11 The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the upright will flourish.

12 There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.

13 Even in laughter the heart may ache, and the end of joy may be grief.

- Prov 14:11-13 ESV

THE END OF JOY MAY BE GRIEF

Outwardly, a concrete house is more durable than a tent. But a "house" built on evil is far weaker than even a "tent" built on godly wisdom (Prov 1:7). The efforts of godless people will be reduced to nothing. What seem to be insignificant for those who honor God will last (Mat 6:19–21; Prov 12:7). It’s vain to envy the wicked for judgment will come upon them sooner or later. Those who believed in Jesus might suffer now. But, they will make up "a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages" (Rev 7:9) for they are joint heirs with Him (Rom 8:17).

The fools are oblivious to their coming destruction. They think that their ‘way ‘ is the right way. He trusts his own thinking over and above God [Prov 3:5] Since the heart of man is deceitful, human desires can lead to disaster (Jer 17:9). Unless a person comes to faith in Christ, he is like a “sheep having gone astray, pursuing his own way."[Isa 53:6]

A life without God is miserable at the end. Earthly happiness is fleeting (Mat 6:19–21). Appearances can be deceiving (1 Sam 16:7; John 7:24). The sinner may be full of laughter but inside is in deep pain. Only Jesus can give real peace. He said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”[John 14:27]

In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon tells us the vanity of the pursuit of meaning and satisfaction in this world. After trying everything, he concludes his book by exhorting us to seek the Lord as our priority (Ecc 12:13). “She who is self-indulgent is dead even while she lives.”[1 Tim 5:6]

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Text: Prov 14:9-10 ESV

9 Fools mock at the guilt offering, but the upright enjoy acceptance.

10 The heart knows its own bitterness, and no stranger shares its joy.

- Prov 14:9-10 ESV

HAVE A SENSITIVE HEART

Fools mock at sin. They think it is laughable to seek forgiveness for sin. In most cases, this is because they are hardened by the deceitfulness of sin[Heb 3:13]. Their value is convoluted. Fools call evil good and good evil (Isa 5:20).

Be warned. Making light of sin do insult the Savior, who paid the ultimate price to redeem sinners. "Christ died for our sins."[1 Cor 15:3] The price of our redemption was the blood of Christ (1 Pet 1:18–19). Jesus received the wrath of God because of our sins. Thus, the righteous takes a far different attitude toward sin. They do abhor their sin and humbly seek God's forgiveness, don’t they? (1 John 1:9). As a result, they enjoy acceptance with God (Heb 4:14–16). Take for example the prodigal son who humbled and repented. He was welcomed by the father who was always waiting for him to return. Similarly, God welcomes every repentant sinner with wide open arms. And, there is rejoicing in heaven taking place as a result (Luke 15:7, 20).

Consequently, the result of forgiveness is joy. This is the reason why the repentant king David prayed, “Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.”[Psa 51:12] The forgiven is released from the bondage of guilt . Without forgiveness, the heart continues to suffer the pain of its own bitterness. Only God can do this. Nobody else. Those who He sets free are free indeed. And as freed they have unspeakable joy. This joy can’t be shared. No stranger shares its joy. No one can experience another person's joy. Every person goes through private emotions in his inner being.

Jesus is the only one who can share our deepest emotions. As Heb 4:15,16 declares, “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

Let’s be warned today not to have a hardened heart to mock at sin. But, let us have a soft heart to confess, repent and receive the forgiveness of our sins. And as a result, we’ll experience the ‘restoration of joy’ in our hearts.

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God’s Word for Today

28 Nov, 2024

5A faithful witness does not lie,

but a false witness breathes out lies.

6 A scoffer seeks wisdom in vain,

but knowledge is easy for a man of understanding.

7 Leave the presence of a fool,

for there you do not meet words of knowledge.

8 The wisdom of the prudent is to discern his way,

but the folly of fools is deceiving.

- Prov 14:5-8 ESV

LEAVE THE PRESENCE OF A FOOL

The wise and fool are diametrically opposite. The wise do strive to learn and not to lie while the fool mocks wisdom and ‘breaths out’ lies naturally. There is no middle ground. The difference is foundational. Their innate desires are completely opposite. Then, how should the wise person relate to the fool?

Solomon has a clear admonition, that is, “Leave the presence of a fool, for there you do not meet words of knowledge.”[v.7] There is wisdom in silence and leaving, is it not? Life is too short to waste in pursuits that won’t matter before God. No one can be too close to the fire and not get the heat of it. In the same manner, spending time with a scoffer may influence us in the long run.

We should leave them but not without respecting them. There should be no air of superiority to disparage them. We are no better than anyone except or the grace that we received from God. It’s not our smartness or cleverness that we know God. We know God because He reveals to us through the Spirit. And, as recipients of His grace, we could never be proud. We are what we are by the grace of God alone.

What does it mean to us today? First, let’s guard our hearts. Let’s not be influenced by the lies of the fools. Let’s always keep our hearts with all diligence for out of it are the issues of life. [Prov 4:23] The apostle Paul admonishes us, saying, “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.”[Phil 4:8] Our minds must focus on these things. Secondly, let us guard our time. The days are evil so we have to ‘guard’ our time for fruitful pursuits, even redeem it. Paul says, “ Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.”[Eph 5:15-17]

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God’s Word for Today

27 Nov, 2024

4 Where there are no oxen, the manger is clean,

but abundant crops come by the strength of the ox.

- Prov 14:4 ESV

THE STRENGTH OF AN OX

The basketball team, Chicago Bulls, has dominated NBA in the 80’s under the leadership of Michael Jordan. During those years, the bull’s head icon with flaming eyes and towering twin sharp horns became a dominant figure portraying power and strength. This icon has been proudly displayed in Sporting Stores and jerseys the basketball enthusiasts wear. The bull or ox is noted for its strength in agriculture.

The absence of an ox gives a picture of a clean manger – no dung, no foliage no urine smell. The manger is empty and silent. But, it means also that the barn is empty. Without the ox to till and plow the field, there will be no grains. It’s by the strength of an ox that there will be abundant harvest of crops. This is how essential the ox is in farming.

Of course, the farmer has to take care this working animal. He should feed him. The animal consumes a great deal of foliage and grass. Consequently, it produces a considerable amount of waste. This means the food trough and barn have to be stocked always. The farmer should not neglect the unpleasant and menial work to keep the ox fed and healthy. This is indispensable in farming. The result, however, is something that only the strength of the oxen can provide - a plentiful harvest.

What does this mean to us today?

Firstly, we should not despise those who give us favor in life. A working animal should not be abused. Moses said, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it is treading out the grain.”[Deut 25:4] Solomon even added, saying: “Whoever is righteous has regard for the life of his beast, but the mercy of the wicked is cruel.”[Prov 12:10] Should we not be much more good in treating people – the servants and employees working tirelessly and diligently for their masters or employers? Let us not be a fool to kill the goose that lays the golden egg.

James sternly warned against abusive landlords to their underprivileged laborers, saying,” Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you. Your riches have rotted and your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver have corroded, and their corrosion will be evidence against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid up treasure in the last days. Behold, the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, are crying out against you, and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts. You have lived on the earth in luxury and in self-indulgence. You have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter. 6 You have condemned and murdered the righteous person. He does not resist you.”[Jas 5:1-6]

The second thing to take note is hard work pays dividends. An honest day's work for an honest day's pay is a worthy principle to live by. Trying to feed and clean oxen is a tedious job. But, it’s an unimaginable hardship to farm without an ox.

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Text: Proverbs 14:1-3 (ESV)

1 The wisest of women builds her house,

but folly with her own hands tears it down.

2 Whoever walks in uprightness fears the Lord,

but he who is devious in his ways despises him.

3 By the mouth of a fool comes a rod for his back,

but the lips of the wise will preserve them.

WISDOM BUILDS

A wise woman builds her home. She plays an integral part in homemaking. Her influence could never be taken for granted as we see the effects by her absence. She manages money or resources, even invests them into her ministry for the benefit of her family and others unto the glory of God. She is the virtuous woman of Proverbs 31. A woman mindful of the needs of her family and eager to live out God's call on her life in every season. In contrast, the foolish woman is unconcerned about the needs of her husband and children. She does not honor the Lord nor seek to live out His calling on her life. Rather than build up her family, her actions damage her family.

What determines the character of the person is his reverence to God, is it not? The term translated "uprightness" implies something "straight" or honest.[Prov 2:13; 4:11] In contrast, the devious person is perverted and defiant in his ways. Jesus made this distinction very clear when He said, "So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit" (Mat 7:17–18). Their fruits will make them apparent [Mat 7:20] A person who reverences the Lord despises sin while he who despises the Lord loves sin. There is no middle ground.

Out of the heart of the foolish person comes evil. His uncontrolled and thoughtless words do hurt others and will hurt him in return. He is shooting his own foot. Their own attacking words come back to haunt him.[Psa 64:7-8] His words will hurt him sooner as one hit by a rod at his back. Rods were used for self-defense and as a form of punishment for wrongdoers. The person using careless, hurtful speech eventually faces consequences. James says, “How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell.” (Jas 3:5–6).

What does these all mean for us today? Let’s always cultivate the fear of God in our lives so we live uprightly. That our lifestyles and talks will build up others and not tear them down.

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Text: Proverbs 13:23-25 (ESV)

23 The fallow ground of the poor would yield much food,

but it is swept away through injustice.

24 Whoever spares the rod hates his son,

but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him.

25 The righteous has enough to satisfy his appetite,

but the belly of the wicked suffers want.

LOVE AND DISCIPLINE

Out of his diligence, the poor man may till his land and get enough food to put on the table. But, he may lose it quickly through injustice. An unjust person or persons may abuse and steal what the land produces from a helpless poor man. Unfair or unwise demands from a landowner may limit what the crop produces. The apostle James slighted the rich farmers to task for keeping their workers poor. They were unjust and cared only about increasing their wealth so they could live in luxury and abuse the poor. He writes in James 5:4–6: "Behold, the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, are crying out against you, and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts. You have lived on the earth in luxury and in self-indulgence. You have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter. You have condemned and murdered the righteous person. He does not resist you."

Verse 24 provides a principle in disciplining a child. In literal terms, this verse is about corporal punishment. But, it is not only limited to physical discipline. This should not be taken out and justify a form of abuse. A person who truly loves a child will provide discipline (Prov 3:11–12), to keep the child from developing evil habits and attitudes. The natural propensity of human beings is to indulge in sin (Prov 19:18). Laziness and dishonesty might be the result of lack of discipline(Prov 12:19, 24; 13:4). As everyone inherits a sinful nature, everyone needs discipline, is it not?

The righteous child lives a contented life. Contentment is an illusive virtue in today's world. His disciplined life does form a habit that prompts him not to live according to the things in this world. The wicked is pictured as the prodigal. He longed to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate but no one gave him anything (Luke 15:16). They hoped something from the evil world system, they won’t satisfy their hunger, but their hope is vain.

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