Worst Case is Still Best Case

Proverbs 14:32:

32 The wicked is overthrown through his evildoing, but the righteous finds refuge in his death.

Proverbs has said over and over again, the wicked (those that are not with God) will lose. They don't lose because God is spiteful. They lose because their actions cause them to. It only those under God's care who have an advocate strong enough to which to have hope in. Hope even in death. So the worst case scenario for God's people (death) is best much better than the best case scenario (a good life on earth) for those outside of his care.

God's Connection to the Poor

Proverbs 14:31:

31 Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker, but he who is generous to the needy honors him.

Proverbs has been clear here, here, and here that hard work is to be praised. But there is also a contrasting Biblical message to this. Old and New Testament followers of God are called to help the poor (here, here, and here). In fact, we are even to "pretend to be poor". So we should work hard and produce, so that we can spend our wealth on others, not ourselves.

Be Content

Proverbs 14:30:

30 A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot.

Tranquility, or peacefulness, make a person healthy. The opposite of that, envy, will rot you from the inside out. This is an important lesson for me right now as I go through a lot of personal transitions. Progress has been important to me for a long time, but perhaps I've made contentedness underrated.

Watch That Temper

Proverbs 14:29:

29 Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly.

After quite a hiatus, Wanting Wisdom is back and with an uncomplicated verse. Those with a quick temper are fools. We've all witnessed it. And sadly, we've all done it.

The Measure of a Leader

Proverbs 14:28:

28 In a multitude of people is the glory of a king, but without people a prince is ruined.

What's an objective way to measure a good leader? How about his number of followers. Useful to earthly measurements and helps explain why evangelism isn't about church recruitment. It's about God's glory.

God is Watching and Supporting

Proverbs 14:26-27:

26 In the fear of the LORD one has strong confidence, and his children will have a refuge.
27 The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, that one may turn away from the snares of death.

Proverbs has said before that God gives good advice that can literally give us life. That support gives us the confidence that we cannot find in ourselves and we can pass that confidence down to our children. On my other blog I recently posted about how thinking someone is watching makes us more moral. As a reader points out, an appropriate respect for God can do the same thing (to our own benefit).

Weight of Truth

Proverbs 14:25:

25 A truthful witness saves lives, but one who breathes out lies is deceitful.

Consider the enormity of such a simple verse. In some ways it is just a restating of an earlier verse on the straight forward distinction between truth and lies, but there is something more here. Truthfulness is important. It saves lives and we, as the witness, are it's vessel. We can save the wrongly accused in a criminal court, but there is also a higher level described more clearly in the King James:

25 A true witness delivereth souls: but a deceitful witness speaketh lies.

Speaking the truth of the gospel saves souls.

Foolishness is Foolish

Proverbs 14:24:

24 The crown of the wise is their wealth, but the folly of fools brings folly.

This verse seems just as obvious as the last. There are practical benefits of wisdom and there are real costs to foolishness. So why even mention it? Because all too often we act without thinking, focus too much on material wealth, keep harmful friends, ignore good advice, and other foolish things.

Walk the Walk

Proverbs 14:23:

23 In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty.

Time after time (after time after time after time after time after time) Proverbs has described how work equal reward. It does not describe how talking about work equal reward. God is a God of action, not mere talk of action.

Plan Good, Feel Good

Proverbs 14:22:

22 Do they not go astray who devise evil? Those who devise good meet steadfast love and faithfulness.

Yesterday a commenter asked a tough question. If God's people don't get the victory promised to them in the Bible, would living the Christian life of personal sacrifice be worth it? I think this verse describes a worldly truth that even non-believers can get behind. Those who exclusively seek to hurt others do not win. Those who seek to do good are satisfied. Seeking favor with God often finds you favor with man. There would certainly be a great sadness if eternal victory is not won, but the teachings of the Bible do often make for a more livable world.

Our Default Isn't Love Thy Neighbor

Proverbs 14:20-21:

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.

At first verse seems like a warning to the poor not to be too demanding of others. But the second verse gives it some better context. It is more of a condemnation of those who only favor friends can give them something in return. We should care for our neighbor, especially if they are financially needy.

Good Will Win

Proverbs 14:19:

19 The evil bow down before the good, the wicked at the gates of the righteous.

It's nice to know how the story ends. Sometimes in life the bad guy wins. Even before Jesus, God has planned the final victory for his people.

Slow Down

Proverbs 14:15-18:

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.

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.

In the Bible, often the word slow is tied to being wise and fast tied to foolishness. That is not always true in our daily life, where being a bold decisive leader is valued. Yet Proverbs is clear that a cautious critical eye is invaluable in our ability to choose wisely and regulate our heated emotions. The wisdom of carefulness helps bread more wisdom. This was my original goal in my personal blog (which has been getting more attention than this one lately). The slogan, "slowing down to move forward" was to remind me to take all of the information I gather each day and give it some consideration. It's been a mostly successful way to deal with complex issues worth considering.

Hold on Tightly to God

Proverbs 14:14:

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.

We are never stagnant. Christians are always growing closer or farther from an understanding of God. I would compare it to the stock market. When you zoom in on each day there is either growth or loss. But when you look back over the years, you can see how God has pursued and grown you. The trend is usually towards sanctification. But that doesn't mean we should be weary because backsliding, that is slipping, because it has consequences.

Security of Tent Cities

Proverbs 14:11-13:

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.

Those opposed God build large, supposedly safe houses. Yet, God's people are actually safer in their simple tents. Powerful words when there are thousands of people living in tents right now. We should be humbled that it is God who protects or destroys our home. Being aware of which path we are on is extremely important, but remember, worldly happiness is not always correlated with Godly satisfaction.

Limits of Relationships

Proverbs 14:10:

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

There have been many examples throughout Proverbs of how important interpersonal interactions are. From how we should take advice to how sons effect fathers. But this verse shows that part of human existence is solitary. There are some parts of our life, both good and bad, that others can't fully understand. The apostle Paul puts it like this in 1 Corinthians 2:11:

11 For who knows a person’s thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.

Our complexity is one of God-like qualities. Knowing that can help us interact with others. Even if you don't fully understand another's bitterness or joy, you can rest assured it is real for them.

Undeserved Acceptance

Proverbs 14:9:

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

As Proverbs has suggested before, one of the most important pieces of wisdom is the admission of sin. Humility sounds foolish if you don't understand your need of forgiveness. But nothing is better than feeling acceptance when you know you don't deserve it.

Pursue Good Influence

Proverbs 14:7-8:

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.

We know that fools loves company and that we should be weary of their influence, but the past reasoning has been because they are bad for you. Here, Proverbs suggests that they are simply not good for you. Whether it's health, wealth or morality, almost all the research I've read suggest that peer pressure, even for adults, matter most. The wise produce wisdom, the unwise deceive with a bad sales pitch.

Seeking Wisdom ≠ Accepting Wisdom

Proverbs 14:6:

6 A scoffer seeks wisdom in vain, but knowledge is easy for a man of understanding.

There is a interesting reality of the wisdom of God. In some ways it is so simple a child can serve God. In other ways it is so complex the smartest man cannot comprehend it. It is simultaneously shallow and deep. As I said in the very first post on this blog, we are all to search for wisdom. However, there has been a recurring theme that it takes wisdom to desire wisdom and wisdom to listen to wisdom. There is a momentum that comes with Godliness (and ungodliness). It's clear that even though wisdom is offered to all, it is not truly sought out by all. For some, those that God has come alongside, it is easy, for others,who have resisted discipline, it is an impossible task.

Truth is Truth, Lies are Lies

Proverbs 14:5:

5 A faithful witness does not lie, but a false witness breathes out lies.

There is a very straight forward distinction between someone who tells the truth and someone who lies. It's very convicting to see that the Bible leaves very little wiggle room between the two. Perhaps the question is this: When you are explaining, are you attempting to reveal what reality or obscure it somehow? If you're goal is not to completely bear an honest witness, then you're lying. Now, that's not to say obscuring the truth is always bad. 1 Samuel 16 gives an example of lying to protect the innocent. Another example from recent history is the hiding of Jews from Nazi Germany. That said, if you belief the righteous thing to do is reveal the truth, be sure not to muddle it for selfish gain.

Live for the Future

Proverbs 14:4:

4 Where there are no oxen, the manger is clean, but abundant crops come by the strength of the ox.

The power of investment discussed in Proverbs! Without an ox you cannot have any stores of crops. But with an ox you can keep an abundance of crops in your storage, or manger. It also seems like too much of a coincidence for manger to simply means a place to store food. God is ox who produces Jesus the crops so that we can take part. The lesson here is to live for the future. Invest financially for your earthly future and invest spiritually for your heavenly one.

Word for the Wise

Proverbs 14:3:

3 By the mouth of a fool comes a rod for his back,but the lips of the wise will preserve them.

Your mouth can either be a tool for good or bad. Our words are the primary outlet of our intentions. I think there is a lot of wisdom to the quite person. Not sure what this means for my blogging.

Momentum In Either Direction

Proverbs 14:1-2:

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.

A callback to the female personification of wisdom from before (which is also an important feminist comparison). So what are the actions that bring growth and not destruction? Being upright (honest) and having a healthy fear (respect) for God. You're either building up or tearing down, pick which you prefer.

Satisfaction

Proverbs 13:25:

25 The righteous has enough to satisfy his appetite, but the belly of the wicked suffers want.

One of the biggest differences between short term happiness and long term happiness is satisfaction. Those who pursue God are satisfied. Those who make themselves God are not.

A Firm Hand Straightens the Path

Proverbs 13:24:

24 Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him.

Sometimes it's weird to find a familiar verse in its context. The importance of the parent to the child has been said several times before, but it's not just about simple education. It's about keeping children on the right path. As much as I am personally frustrated by authority (something I hope to be broken of), I can only imagine the problems I'd have it my parents never disciplined me. I'm not convinced this is an argument for spanking (there is a lot of metaphor in Proverbs), but it's certainly clear that to love your children (or in my case my students), you must be firm.

Tragedy of Resource Destruction

Proverbs 13:23:

23 The fallow ground of the poor would yield much food, but it is swept away through injustice.

Proverbs has been clear several times, hard work reaps reward. However, as this verse describes, sometimes th is relationship is not fulfilled. This gets at the heart of something I care a lot about, economic efficiency. It pains me to see productive resources not used to their greatest benefit. I'm glad to know that God understands my frustration with this "injustice".

The Wise Pass Down Wisdom

Proverbs 13:21-22:

21 Disaster pursues sinners, but the righteous are rewarded with good.
22 A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, but the sinner’s wealth is laid up for the righteous.

There is a clear cause and effect of the world established throughout Proverbs. A great example is how the action of parents, impacts their children. I'm not convinced this is specifically calling us to leave money to our children, since the context here is wisdom. Also, in this example, both the sinner and the wise have "saved", just for different purposes.

Keep Your Friends Close

Proverbs 13:20:

20 Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.

Christians certainly are not called to live in isolated bubbles, but there is also a warning to be aware of who is doing the influencing. As important as a parents instruction can be, it is peers who have the biggest impact. There is a lot of wisdom and practical benefits to choosing good outer support. It's also important to remember that fools want friends too.

Sin Makes Positive Change Undesirable

Proverbs 13:19:

19 A desire fulfilled is sweet to the soul, but to turn away from evil is an abomination to fools.

These two ideas, the sweetness of a desire fulfilled and how the wicked hate to change, have both been mentioned before. But when put together, they tell a different kind of story. When the desire to do good, it is satisfying. However, the addictive nature of sin makes it difficult to meet these goals. Often we act like fools holding on to trash when treasure awaits us on the other side of change.

Practical Benefit of Advice

Proverbs 13:18:

18 Poverty and disgrace come to him who ignores instruction, but whoever heeds reproof is honored.

Proverbs has been clear about the importance of listening to the counsel of others we trust. It has important implications for life after death. But as this verse implies, it also have implications for life before death.

Knowledge as the Source of Wise Action

Proverbs 13:16-17:

16 In everything the prudent acts with knowledge, but a fool flaunts his folly.
17 A wicked messenger falls into trouble, but a faithful envoy brings healing.

Learning is the process through which wisdom grows. As teacher I can't get behind that sentence enough. However, it is also convicting about the importance of bestowing good sense, whether you are a teacher, a friend, or a parent. This not only impacts the quality of your life, but also those around you. Everyone influences everyone. You just need to decide whether you will be a harmer or a healer.

Counseled to Take Counsel

Proverbs 13:13-15:

13 Whoever despises the word brings destruction on himself, but he who reveres the commandment will be rewarded.
14 The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, that one may turn away from the snares of death.
15 Good sense wins favor, but the way of the treacherous is their ruin.

Taking counsel from trustworthy places is essential to life as a follower of God. Not only because it is commanded, but because it reaps the ultimate reward of escaping death and the practical reward of finding favor with your community.

Satisfaction of Hope Fulfilled

Proverbs 13:12:

12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life.

Unlike most of Proverbs, this isn't a command or suggestion, but more of a description of the reality of the human heart. Longing and disappointment can be a huge burden. But it's important to understand this verse in the context of the the last verse. Instant gratification goes as fast as it comes. So I don't think this verse means deferred hope is bad, just hard. The proof is in the second half. When the desire is fulfilled, it was worth the wait. Perhaps this is just an encouragement through hard times and a warning against unrealistic hope.

Get Rich Slowly

Proverbs 13:11:

11 Wealth gained hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it.

It's interesting when Biblical truths show up in popular culture and scientific research. Whether it's the sad result of Ted Williams' rise to fame or the likelihood of bankruptcy's after winning the lottery, money gained quickly can leave just as fast. For most people, financial security is more behavior than actual accounting. That's why a little bit gained over time trains us how to spend/save it.

Root of Conflict is Pride

Proverbs 13:10:

10 Where there is strife, there is pride, but wisdom is found in those who take advice.

Proverbs talks so much about desiring wisdom, it's nice to see such a clear example of it. When conflict arises, it's an issue with pride. This is why understanding our own weakness and gaining humility is so important.

House Divided Cannot Stand

Proverbs 13:9:

9 The light of the righteous rejoices, but the lamp of the wicked will be put out.

What a great metaphor for something Proverbs has been saying over and over (and over and over). The biggest loser in sin is the sinner. The life of the follower of God is like a lit house. The life of those whose life is separate from God is dark and deserted.

God's Backward Economy

Proverbs 13:7-8:

7 One pretends to be rich, yet has nothing; another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth.
8 The ransom of a man’s life is his wealth, but a poor man hears no threat.

More than most, I cherish the wealth that is possible for me as an American living in 2011. That's why this verse is so convicting. Appreciating hard work is one thing, but often I fall in the trap of relying on my wealth as my safety net. In God's economy, it is those that admit their poverty that are actually wealthy. It seems hard to believe, but the next verse clarifies it. For the rich man can be trapped by his wealth, where as a poor man knows all he has to stand on is God's grace.

Righteousness as a Tool and a Protector

Proverbs 13:5-6:

5 The righteous hates falsehood, but the wicked brings shame and disgrace.
6 Righteousness guards him whose way is blameless, but sin overthrows the wicked.

Because to be righteous is to admit unrighteousness, there can be no self-deception. On the other hand, the wicked thrive on the deception of themselves and others. This passage hints at one of the mysteries of faith I've yet to fully understand. Righteousness is simultaneously manifested by our actions, our belief, and our acceptance of it as a free gift.

The Mouth as a Gate

Proverbs 13:2-4:

2 From the fruit of his mouth a man eats what is good, but the desire of the treacherous is for violence.
3 Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.
4 The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied.

The Bible often uses both the mouth and the lips as metaphors for what is taken in and given out by people. Here we see that those in rebellion from God have a taste for harming others and speaking rashly will bring you to ruin. It's not a lack of desire that condemns us, but a lack of correct desires. One way to know if what you desire is righteous, is it ever quenched?

Simple But Hard Lesson

Proverbs 13:1:

1 A wise son hears his father’s instruction, but a scoffer does not listen to rebuke.

Submission to parental authority and the keeping of their teaching is clear throughout Proverbs. So is the desire to many to scoff at good counsel. The choice seems clear, we just need to be humble enough to accept it.

Where Righteousness Leads

Proverbs 12:28:

28 In the path of righteousness is life, and in its pathway there is no death.

I've mentioned over and over again about the practical benefits of wisdom. Everything from a good meal to the praise of your community. But here we see that there are bigger stakes than our life on earth. It's is a afterlife or death question.

The Diligent Man Eats

Proverbs 12:27:

27 Whoever is slothful will not roast his game, but the diligent man will get precious wealth.

Even Benjamin Franklin, America's first wise man, has his ideas based on Biblical truths. "Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy wealthy and wise." Proverbs says it too, again and again. The lazy do not produce, so the lazy do not consume. To us that sounds like they get less TV's and cars. But to the original readers of this text, not consuming meant starvation. Whether in careers, relationships, or in the search for truth, hard work is important.

Inner Stress Solved by Outer Support

Proverbs 12:25-28:

25 Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.
26 One who is righteous is a guide to his neighbor, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.

Worry is like a disease that corrupts our common sense. Encouragement from a friend is the best medicine. I've mentioned the external benefits of wisdom in family before, but we see it's also true for neighbors. Choose your friends carefully, because the opposite is true as well.

Don't Read This Post at Work

Proverbs 12:24:

24 The hand of the diligent will rule, while the slothful will be put to forced labor.

We've already established that hard work pays off and being slack also gets what is deserved. That's from my usual ESV translation. The less academic Message translation says something slightly different.

Proverbs 12:24:

24 The diligent find freedom in their work; the lazy are oppressed by work.

This implies that those who put forth the needed effort find their satisfaction in what they do. And those who avoid work will be a slave to it. Either way both translations praise work and its inherent rewards.

Don't Read This Post on Wisdom

Proverbs 12:23:

23 A prudent man conceals knowledge, but the heart of fools proclaims folly.

You can't fool everyone every time. If you have practical wisdom others will recognize it. If you are simply talking to be heard, you will be heard and exposed. Perhaps knowledge is like a bank account. If you send it out you have less. If you store it up it will increase and seep out into the world as investments. Is this a call for me to end this blog? What about blogging in general?

The Truth Doesn't Hurt, Lies Do

Proverbs 12:17-22:

17 Whoever speaks the truth gives honest evidence, but a false witness utters deceit.
18 There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
19 Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment.
20 Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, but those who plan peace have joy.
21 No ill befalls the righteous, but the wicked are filled with trouble.
22 Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD, but those who act faithfully are his delight.

Obviously, the truth makes things more clear and lies do the opposite. But because our words matter, what is said can either bring pain or healing to others. The good news is that truth has more staying power than lies. Sometimes it may not seem that way, but in the long run I think it is true. Part of the reason is the inherent value is truth over falsehood. Another reason is that honest/positive speech gives power and peace to the speaker. Deceit brings it's own trouble. There is a natural cause and effect is created by God's description of truth as delight and lies as an abomination. There is a gravity in what we say, not only in it's importance, but also in the natural pull it has.

Let it Go

Proverbs 12:16:

16 Fools show their annoyance at once, but the prudent overlook an insult.

I'm coming to find that anger is the easiest emotion. It's clear. It's perceived as powerful. And it requires no vulnerability. For those same reasons, I'm also coming to believe that anger is overused. Not that we should avoid anger all together, but we should know that it is our default for too many situations. Here we are told that the prudent or wise ignore insult instead of letting it get to them. This could be people the insult was an accident and we are pushing for peace. It could also be a recognition that God determines our worth, not man. Either way, it's foolish to have a short fuse.

The Wise Listen to Wisdom

Proverbs 12:15:

15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.

Although Proverbs is a book about Wisdom, it talks a lot about "the fool". Sometimes it's easier to understand what something is not, than what it actually is. The righteous admit their own unrighteousness, they are also willing to heed suggestions from reliable sources. This is a good measure of wisdom for politicians. Often our biggest enemy is our mind, which does not always notice it's flaws. A trustworthy community can be the best form of checks and balances.

Positives of Positive Speech

Proverbs 12:13-14:

13 An evil man is ensnared by the transgression of his lips, but the righteous escapes from trouble.
14 From the fruit of his mouth a man is satisfied with good, and the work of a man’s hand comes back to him.

Gossiping with a friend only reminds that friend you're not trustworthy. Words can hurt. This is yet another example of how sin not only hurts other people, but also ourselves. Like a hard days work, only uplifting words are their own reward.

Consumption Requires Production

Proverbs 12:11-12:

11 Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits lacks sense.
12 Whoever is wicked covets the spoil of evildoers, but the root of the righteous bears fruit.

The height of a tree doesn't always imply the strength of a tree. It's the roots that ensure it gets enough water and withstands large storms. In the same way, hard work, even if it's not noticed, will produce what is needed. If you spend your time chasing every whim, what you produce will not last. It's not just about effort, it's about effort towards the right thing.