27 The Lord hates sacrifices brought by evil people,
particularly when they offer them for the wrong reasons. – Proverbs 21:27 NCV
Giving to the Lord is a very specific and purposeful act and God wants us to give cheerfully (2 Corinthians 9:7). The Proverb writer tells us God hated those that offered their sacrifices with a wrong heart. Take a look at the New Testament version of God’s feelings: Acts 5:1-9. Was the amount of money they gave or the way they gave it wrong?
The Lord hates both these things:
dishonest weights and dishonest measures. – Proverbs 20:10 NCVThe Lord hates dishonest weights,
and dishonest scales do not please him. – Proverbs 20:23 NCV
The Lord gives based on how we give:
give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you. – Luke 6:38 ESV
Do the standards you measure your deeds against match His?
17 Being kind to the poor is like lending to the Lord;
He will reward you for what you have done. – Proverbs 19:17 NCV
If you haven’t spent much time as a tourist in Washington D.C. you can’t know just how prolific the homelessness problem is there. Worse, it has become a career for many. As soon as you pop up out of the Metro station on the National Mall, you will be handed “helpful” leaflets and maps in exchange for “donations” to the homeless.
My son was allowed to invite his young girlfriend with us on one of our frequent visits to D.C. She obviously had no experience with dealing with the homeless people and they knew it. I warned her about the games they play, but she didn’t care. Her pure heart spoke louder than my “experienced” heart.
We eventually happened across a person that I am sure really needed help. She helped him just like all the others, and generously I might add. This time my whole perspective began to change – I realized I’ve passed on helping some truly hungry people. I can see some of their faces still.
Throughout the Proverbs and the rest of the Bible, we see the importance of helping the poor and God’s love for them. In this one verse, we can understand that it is not for us to try and manage what will happen to our “gift”. If our kindness is like lending to the Lord, then He will take care of that part at the appropriate time. Our reward comes from being there for Him.
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.