21:2 - People may think all their ways are right, but the Lord weighs the heart - I am amazed at how many times this theme comes up in Proverbs. I have always said I think it is crazy that people would lie to themselves about themselves, but that must be a normal thing that happens to each of us. We have to look at our lives to figure out where we think our motives are pure and then let God be the one to measure and weigh us. Just because we feel like we are in the right, or doing enough or have the right heart about something doesn't mean we do. God alone knows and if we honestly ask Him I believe He will tell us.
21:3 - To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice. - I think we tend towards sacrifice over obedience because to some degree we are in control when we sacrifice. We decide how much and when and what, but obedience has little to do with us. God would rather we walk where He calls us than for us to make a million sacrifice in His name. To obey is better than sacrifice. I wonder where you are trying to sacrifice your way out of obedience right now?
21:5a - The plans of the diligent lead to profit... - I will hold on to this promise.
21:13 - Those who shut their ears to the cry of the poor will also cry out and not be answered. - We have to actively be involved in blessing the truly poor. We need to make an effort to find them and then to provide for them.
21:17a - Whoever loves pleasure will become poor - Pleasure = movies, TV, radio, the lake, sports, hunting, reading, running, lifting, Xbox, Playstation, Wii, .....It doesn't seem like those things are inherently bad. The problem is when they consume or time and attention (love) we become poor financially, spiritually or emotionally. We need to love what makes us rich spiritually and emotionally.
21:21 - Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor.- How do you pursue these?
21:26b - ...the righteous give without sparing. - So, if you give sparingly you are not living in righteousness.
21:30 - There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the Lord. - No matter how it feels or what it looks like God's will will come to pass.
21:31 - The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the Lord.
22:3 - The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty. - I struggle with how to put the truth of this verse with verses about faith. Faith is standing strong and not moving when the world comes against you, but wisdom is seeing danger beforehand and doing something about it. It is hard to know sometimes when it is time to exercise faith by keep going and when to be wise and take refuge.
22:7b - ...the borrower is slave to the lender. - WOW! How true is this. Every debt I have I am bound to pay. I work for someone else's benefit. The next time I get ready to go into debt I need to remember to ask if I want to be a slave to whoever is offering the loan.
22: 9 - The generous will themselves be blessed for they share their food with the poor.
Love you all, Michael
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