25 Lazy people’s desire for sleep will kill them,
because they refuse to work.
26 All day long they wish for more,
but good people give without holding back. – Proverbs 21:25-26 NCV
One of Scripture’s recurring themes is a strong work ethic and liberal giving.
Paul gave us the gold standard for the correct attitude: There will be no U-Haul on our hearse (1 Timothy 6:7) and laboring because “it is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:34-35).
4 Spoken words can be like deep water,
but wisdom is like a flowing stream. – Proverbs 18:4 NCV
(Note: The NCV is a little weak here – most other versions render this similar to “man’s words” instead of “spoken words”.)
No answers today, but something we can work on.
Do non-believers see through the innovative teachings of man designed to attract followers? Solomon compares those things to the mysteriousness and darkness of deep water. Do they really not believe or are they simply turned off?
The Lord’s words have the strength and refreshing qualities of the cool babbling brook. Simple. Pure. Calming.
Was this the passage Jesus referred to on the last day of the feast? (John 7:37-38)
1 People may make plans in their minds,
but only the Lord can make them come true. – Proverbs 16:1 NCV
9 People may make plans in their minds,
but the Lord decides what they will do. – Proverbs 16:9 NCV
The Lord has final say over the paths of our lives. A Christian that desires to be a servant will gladly offer himself to God to be used in his great plan.
For whatever reason, even Christians have gotten away from acknowledging the Lord’s will as James instructs us to do (James 4:14-15). What if we developed Paul’s habit of asking the Lord to direct our way? (1 Thessalonians 3:11)
33 Respect for the Lord will teach you wisdom.
If you want to be honored, you must be humble. – Proverbs 15:33 NCV
Peter reiterates this for us (1 Peter 5:5-6). Was he perhaps thinking of the time the Lord washed his feet? (John 13:4-6)
10 No one else can know your sadness,
and strangers cannot share your joy. – Proverbs 14:10 NCV
Even between the best of friends, there is never a perfect understanding of the sadness or joy one may have. We can get close: marriage, best friends, clubs, supports groups – some are better, but none perfect. We just cannot get that close to another person’s heart.
We have been given two things that give us that kind of access to God’s heart:
Do you take advantage of these things so that you are not a stranger to God?
25 Worry is a heavy load,
but a kind word cheers you up. – Proverbs 12:25 NCV
I am an old man and have known a great many troubles, but most of them never happened. – Mark Twain
The Lord has made sure that his children do not have to worry. Look at the great Scripture we can reference when we feel like we have something worth worrying over:
Matthew 6:34 – Do not be anxious for tomorrow (In fact look at the whole background of this verse: Matthew 6:25-33)
1 Peter 5:7 – Cast your anxieties on him
Philippians 4:6 – Be anxious for nothing