Benefits of Kindness

Proverbs 11:17-19:

17 A man who is kind benefits himself, but a cruel man hurts himself.
18 The wicked earns deceptive wages, but one who sows righteousness gets a sure reward.
19 Whoever is steadfast in righteousness will live, but he who pursues evil will die.

The practical benefits of wisdom and righteousness have yet to be described so clearly. Goodness results in the return of goodness and visa versa. Though wickedness can have what appear to be rewards, they are nothing compared to what is offered, life.

Honor or Riches, Honor vs. Riches, or Honor and Riches

Proverbs 11:16:

16 A gracious woman gets honor, and violent men get riches.

Initially this verse seems to praise both graciousness and violence. That disconnection from the rest of scripture (and common sense) caused me to take a second look. I've narrowed it down to three possible meanings: 1) violent is meant to imply aggression so that a bold man gains riches 2) it is meant to show that because graciousness is more desirable than violence, then honor must be more desirable than riches 3) finally it could simply mean that as surely as a violent man gains, a gracious woman gains.

Promising the Unknowable

Proverbs 11:15:

15 Whoever puts up security for a stranger will surely suffer harm, but he who hates striking hands in pledge is secure.

Several chapters (and months) ago we described how to rectify unwise debt decisions. Here is how it begins. Proverbs makes an important distinction between friend and stranger. Helping others is certainly encouraged, but making promises you can't keep, or in this example supporting promises others can't keep, is not encouraged.

Safety in Numbers

Proverbs 11:14:

14 Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.

If the wise are one of the main sources of wisdom, think how much more a group of the wise can offer. Direction is a necessity, and the more wise advisors the better.

Slanderous Gossip

Proverbs 11:12-13:

12 Whoever belittles his neighbor lacks sense, but a man of understanding remains silent.
13 Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered.

Gossip about others simply reveals how little you know. Often the wisest person is the quietest, humblest, person. If you are spreading inappropriate information, even correct inappropriate information, it shows you can't be trusted. I've come to realize that anytime you gossip with someone, you are telling that person never to share anything private with you. Don't forget, communities don't quickly forget.

The Upright Raise Up

Proverbs 11:9-11:

9 With his mouth the godless man would destroy his neighbor, but by knowledge the righteous are delivered.
10 When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices, and when the wicked perish there are shouts of gladness.
11 By the blessing of the upright a city is exalted, but by the mouth of the wicked it is overthrown.

We seen before that there are positive spillovers to righteousness, now we see there are negative spillovers to the wicked. This intuitively makes sense. Hard work, honesty, self-control, empathy, etc are all important for communities to flourish. Here we see the practicality of God's law.