Rich and Poor

Since both have the same creator, it behooves the poor and the rich to treat each other with fairness.

Proverbs 29:13–14 (HCSB):
The poor and the oppressor have this in common:
the Lord gives light to the eyes of both.
A king who judges the poor with fairness—
his throne will be established forever.

Concealer

Proverbs 28:13 (HCSB): The one who conceals his sins
will not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them
will find mercy.

The truth hurts

There’s a saying, “The truth hurts.” It does, but not as much as being lied to.

Proverbs 27:5–6 (HCSB):
 5 Better an open reprimand
than concealed love.
6 The wounds of a friend are trustworthy,
but the kisses of an enemy are excessive.

Networking

Your friends determine your success; make sure your actions & speech draw the right ones!

Proverbs 22:11 (HCSB): The one who loves a pure heart
and gracious lips—the king is his friend.

What’s in a name?

How valuable is a good reputation? To find out, ask those who have ruined theirs.

Proverbs 22:1 (HCSB): A good name is to be chosen over great wealth;
favor is better than silver and gold.

Rare treasure

Proverbs 20:15 (HCSB): There is gold and a multitude of jewels,
but knowledgeable lips are a rare treasure.

better

Poor and honest is better than rich and a liar!

Proverbs 19:1 (HCSB):  Better a poor man who lives with integrity
than someone who has deceitful lips and is a fool.

Three

Worthless, contrary, and violent. Similar to the three stooges, but not funny.

Proverbs 16:27–29 (HCSB):
A worthless man digs up evil,
and his speech is like a scorching fire.
A contrary man spreads conflict,
and a gossip separates close friends.
A violent man lures his neighbor,
leading him in a way that is not good.

Proverbs 14:29 (HCSB): A patient person shows great understanding,
but a quick-tempered one promotes foolishness.

Proverbs 13:5 (HCSB): The righteous hate lying,
but the wicked act disgustingly and disgracefully.

Proverbs 10:13-14
Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning,
but a rod is for the back of the one who lacks sense.
The wise store up knowledge,
but the mouth of the fool hastens destruction.

Proverbs 10:8
 A wise heart accepts commands,
but foolish lips will be destroyed.

Leaks

An affair is a lot like a plumbing leak; it may not be discovered for a long time, but it’s damaging from the moment it begins, then messy and costly to try and fix!
Proverbs 5:15-21

Drink water from your own cistern,
water flowing from your own well.
Should your springs flow in the streets,
streams of water in the public squares?
They should be for you alone
and not for you to share with strangers.
Let your fountain be blessed,
and take pleasure in the wife of your youth.
A loving doe, a graceful fawn—
let her breasts always satisfy you;
be lost in her love forever.
Why, my son, would you be infatuated
with a forbidden woman
or embrace the breast of a stranger?
For a man’s ways are before the Lord’s eyes,
and He considers all his paths.

Fire drills

As schools have fire drills and plans in place for emergencies, saving lives when catastrophe comes, it’s a good idea to have a plan in place to avoid temptation so you don’t cause a catastrophe!

Proverbs 6:20-35
My son, keep your father’s command,
and don’t reject your mother’s teaching.
Always bind them to your heart;
tie them around your neck.
When you walk here and there, they will guide you;
when you lie down, they will watch over you;
when you wake up, they will talk to you.
For a command is a lamp, teaching is a light,
and corrective discipline is the way to life.
They will protect you from an evil woman,
from the flattering  tongue of a stranger.
Don’t lust in your heart for her beauty
or let her captivate you with her eyelashes.
For a prostitute’s fee is only a loaf of bread,
but an adulteress  goes after a precious life.
Can a man embrace fire
and his clothes not be burned?
Can a man walk on burning coals
without scorching his feet?
So it is with the one who sleeps with
another man’s wife;
no one who touches her will go unpunished.
People don’t despise the thief if he steals
to satisfy himself when he is hungry.
Still, if caught, he must pay seven times as much;
he must give up all the wealth in his house.
The one who commits adultery  lacks sense;
whoever does so destroys himself.
He will get a beating  and dishonor,
and his disgrace will never be removed.
For jealousy enrages a husband,
and he will show no mercy when he takes revenge.
He will not be appeased by anything
or be persuaded by lavish gifts.

Instructions

When my kids receive presents, I keep the instructions to help operate the toys. Every day is literally “the present,” so shouldn’t you hold onto the instructions?

Proverbs 5:10-13
“Listen, my son. Accept my words,
and you will live many years.
I am teaching you the way of wisdom;
I am guiding you on straight paths.
When you walk, your steps will not be hindered;
when you run, you will not stumble.
Hold on to instruction; don’t let go.
Guard it, for it is your life.”

Kindness and character lead to contentment

Be kind, be of good character, and be content.
Proverbs 3:29-32

 Don’t plan any harm against your neighbor,
for he trusts you and lives near you.
Don’t accuse anyone without cause,
when he has done you no harm.
Don’t envy a violent man
or choose any of his ways;
for the devious are detestable to the Lord,
but He is a friend  to the upright.

Stinginess

Withholding help from someone who needs it is like holding a lifesaver while listening to a swimmer yell for help; even without help, they might survive the swim, but it’s likely their forgiveness won’t survive your stinginess.
Proverbs 3:27-28

“When it is in your power,
don’t withhold good  from the one it belongs to.
Don’t say to your neighbor, “Go away! Come back later.
I’ll give it tomorrow”—when it is there with you.”

Applications Accepted

The application of wisdom brings order to chaos, and working systems out of nothing. If you have wisdom, don’t keep it to yourself! Proverbs 3:19-20

“The Lord founded the earth by wisdom
and established the heavens by understanding.
 By His knowledge the watery depths broke open,
and the clouds dripped with dew.”