Do something evil, and people won’t like you.
Do something shameful, and they will make fun of you. – Proverbs 18:3 NCV
Evil and shameful actions result in dislike and ridicule. For any of our liberal friends that don’t believe this, we need only point them to the media’s treatment of powerful and public figures caught in lies, adultery, and fraud.
Godly morals are still the measure of real men.
11 Money that comes easily disappears quickly,
but money that is gathered little by little will grow. Proverbs 13:11 NCV
I’m not sure if it is just me or not, but the world seems to be rediscovering this little nugget of truth. Bestselling books and career guides all point to the value of earning what we have. Taking the time to build quality products, followers, resources, etc. rather than traveling the easy and fast path almost always leads to longer lasting return on our investment. History books are currently being written showing the results of governments emphasizing generous social programs over good honest work.
11 Those who work their land will have plenty of food,
but the one who chases empty dreams is not wise. – Proverbs 12:11 NCV
This verse is a reminder to be proactive. Ideas and goals mean nothing without a plan to take action and the willingness to do the work.
1 Wisdom calls to you like someone shouting;
understanding raises her voice.
2 On the hilltops along the road
and at the crossroads, she stands calling.
3 Beside the city gates,
at the entrances into the city, she calls out:
4 “Listen, everyone, I’m calling out to you;
I am shouting to all people.
5 You who are uneducated, seek wisdom.
You who are foolish, get understanding.
6 Listen, because I have important things to say,
and what I tell you is right.
7 What I say is true,
I refuse to speak evil.
8 Everything I say is honest;
nothing I say is crooked or false.
9 People with good sense know what I say is true;
and those with knowledge know my words are right.
10 Choose my teachings instead of silver,
and knowledge rather than the finest gold.
11 Wisdom is more precious than rubies.
Nothing you could want is equal to it. – Proverbs 8:1-11 NCV
As you read Proverbs 8 today, listen to the voice of a personified wisdom, especially in these verses. She represents herself in this chapter from two positions: by implying the knowledge of Divine and human things and as an attribute of God displayed in His wonderful creation. Notice too, that she does it loud and without shame demanding all to listen.
21 By her clever words she made him give in;
by her pleasing words she led him into doing wrong.
22 All at once he followed her,
like an ox led to the butcher,
like a deer caught in a trap
23 and shot through the liver with an arrow.
Like a bird caught in a trap,
he didn’t know what he did would kill him. – Proverbs 7:21-23 NCV
Proverbs 7 is again a warning to avoid the adulteress. The spiritual desolation this sin leaves is described in these verses.
1 My child, be careful about giving a guarantee for somebody else’s loan,
about promising to pay what someone else owes.
2 You might get trapped by what you say;
you might be caught by your own words.
3 My child, if you have done this and are under your neighbor’s control,
here is how to get free.
Don’t be proud. Go to your neighbor
and beg to be free from your promise.
4 Don’t go to sleep
or even rest your eyes,
5 but free yourself like a deer running from a hunter,
like a bird flying away from a trapper. – Proverbs 6:1-5 NCV
Among the number of verses about handling money in Proverbs, this bit of advice is the same as every financial planner worth his CFP credentials would give. Never cosign a loan unless you plan to pay it off yourself.