Real Wealth for the Righteous

Proverbs 15:6:

6 In the house of the righteous there is much treasure, but trouble befalls the income of the wicked.

Practically speaking, following God's instruction is financially beneficial. This makes sense in a cooperative society that those who follow God's law, will prosper. But it's interesting that the rewards for the righteous are not income, but treasure. Seems to imply non-material gains (family, nation, health, knowledge, wisdom).

The Wise Welcome Instruction

Proverbs 15:5:

5 A fool despises his father's instruction, but whoever heeds reproof is prudent.

There is a clear role for parental authority in life of God's people. A wise some listens to the instruction, where as the unwise do the opposite. There seems to be a large emphasis on admitting wrongness than being correct. Saying "this is what I believe and I don't care what anyone else says" is a scary place to be.

Sticks and Stones Got Nothing on Words

Proverbs 15:4:

4 A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.

The mouth is regular used a metaphor for what goes in and out of a person. It can also affect those around us. And as this verse points out, our words can help and they can hurt. I bet if we could given a daily report on how our words impacted those around us we'd talk a lot less.

God and Santa Claus, Part II

Proverbs 15:3:

3 The eyes of the LORD are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good.

A while back I posted about how God is all seeing, similar to Santa, but yet not all judging. God makes an important distinction between measuring and condemning. He does see everything we do. He does measure whether it is good or evil. But he does not constantly dish out his favor accordingly. He he is righteous and merciful. Something Santa only dreams of being.

In Wisdom There is No Middle Ground

Proverbs 15:2:

2 The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouths of fools pour out folly.

Over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over again Proverbs has made the comparison of the wise and the foolish. The format goes: fools do one thing, wise people do another. It's not very PC to label people in such blunt categories, but the Bible doesn't seem to care. There seems to be two distinct types of people. The question is, which comes out of our mouth.

Gentleness Diffuses, Harshness Inflames

Proverbs 15:1:

1 A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Something we all know, but don't always follow. We care more about ourselves than others, so we give our knee jerk reaction. Kindness can make a situation better for both parties, whereas a biting comment only makes things worse. An important lesson in this: we are responsible for sin, even when the sin is not our own.