Proverbs offers timeless wisdom for navigating life's complexities, emphasizing that a good name is more valuable than riches and that prudent preparation averts disaster. The sermon highlights the contrast between the righteous and the wicked, the diligent and the lazy, and the importance of teaching children the right path. It underscores that true humility and respect for the Lord lead to prosperity and honor, while rebellion leads to ruin. Ultimately, the message calls for trusting in the Lord, seeking wisdom, and living a life of integrity, with the assurance of a hopeful future for those who follow God's ways.
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We bring you Living Proverbs, the old, old message in modern language. We begin our reading with Proverbs chapter twenty-two. If you must choose Take a good name rather than great riches, for to be held in loving esteem is better than silver and gold. The rich and poor are alike before the Lord who made them all.
A prudent man foresees the difficulties ahead and prepares for them. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences. True humility and respect for the Lord lead a man to riches, honor, and long life. The rebel walks a thorny, treacherous road. The man who values his soul will stay away. Teach a child to choose the right path, and when he is older he will remain upon it. Just as the rich rule the poor, so the borrower is servant to the lender. The unjust tyrant will reap disaster, and his reign of terror shall end.
Happy is a generous man, the one who feeds the poor. Throw out the mocker, and you will be rid of tension, fighting, and quarrels. He who values grace and truth is the king's friend. The Lord preserves the upright, but ruins the plans of the wicked. The lazy man is full of excuses. I can't go to work, he says. If I go outside, I may meet a lion in the street and be killed. A prostitute is a dangerous trap. Those cursed of God are caught in it. A youngster's heart is filled with rebellion, but punishment will drive it out of him.
He who gains by oppressing the poor or by bribing the rich shall end in poverty. Listen to this wise advice. Follow it closely, for it will do you good, and you can pass it on to others. Trust in the Lord. In the past, haven't I been right? Then believe what I'm telling you now and share it with others. Don't rob the poor and sick, for the Lord is their defender. If you injure them, he will punish you. Keep away from angry, short-tempered men, lest you learn to be like them and endanger your soul.
Unless you have the extra cash on hand, don't countersign a note. Why risk everything you own? They'll even take your bed. Do not move the ancient boundary marks. That is stealing. Do you know a hardworking man? He shall be successful and stand before kings. Amazing grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost, but now am found, aside, but now I see. Was rich that taught my heart to mere and bring my fears relieved.
How precious did that grace appear the all I've heard me. Too many dangers, foils and snares. She's great has brought me save the Lord, and praise will leave me on.
When these commandments ten thousand years, bright shining as a storm. We've known last days to God's praise, and when we first become.
When dining with a rich man be on your guard, and don't stuff yourself, though it all tastes so good, for he's trying to bribe you. And no good is going to come of his invitation. Don't worry yourself trying to get rich. Why waste your time? For riches can disappear as though they had the wings of a bird. Don't become obligated to evil men. Don't long for their favors and gifts. Their kindness is a trick. They want to use you as their pawn. The delicious food they serve will turn sour in your stomach. and you will vomit it and have to take back your words of appreciation for their kindness.
Don't waste your breath on a rebel. He will despise the wisest advice. Don't steal the land of defenseless orphans by moving their ancient boundary marks, for their Redeemer is strong. He himself will accuse you. Don't refuse to accept criticism. Get all the help you can. Don't fail to correct your children. Discipline won't hurt them. They won't die if you use a stick on them. Punishment will keep them out of hell. My son, how I will rejoice if you become a man of common sense. Yes, my heart will thrill to your thoughtful, wise words.
Don't envy evil men, but continue to reverence the Lord all the time. For surely you will have a wonderful future ahead of you. There is hope for you yet. O my son, be wise and stay in God's paths. Don't corouse with drunkards and glutton's, for they are on their way to poverty. Remember that too much sleep close the man with rags. Listen to your father's advice, and don't despise an old mother's experience. Get the facts at any price and hold on tightly to all the good sense you can get. The father of a godly man has cause for joy.
What a pleasure a wise son is. So give your parents joy. Oh, my son, trust my advice. Stay away from prostitutes, for a prostitute is a deep and narrow grave, like a robber she waits for her victims as one after another become unfaithful to their wives. Whose heart is filled with anguish and sorrow? Who is always fighting and quarreling? Who is the man with bloodshot eyes and many wounds? It is the one who spends long hours in the taverns, trying out new mixtures. Don't let the sparkle and smooth taste of the strong wine deceive you, for in the end it bites like a poisonous serpent.
It stings like an adder. You will see hallucinations and have delirian tremens. You will say foolish, silly things that would embarrass you no end when sober. You will stagger like a sailor tossed at sea, clinging to a swaying mast, and afterward you will say, I didn't even know it when they beat me up. Let's go and have another drink. Don't envy godless men.
Don't even enjoy their company. where they spend their days plotting violence and cheating. Any enterprise is built by wise planning, becomes strong through common sense and profits wonderfully by keeping abreast of the facts. A wise man is mightier than a strong man. Wisdom is mightier than strength. Don't go to war without wise guidance. There is safety in many counselors. Wisdom is too much for a rebel. He'll not be chosen as a counselor. To plan evil is as wrong as doing it. The rebel's schemes are sinful, and the mocker is the scourge of all mankind.
You are a poor specimen if you can't stand the pressure of adversity. Rescue those who are unjustly sentenced to death. Don't stand back and let them die. Don't try to disclaim responsibility by saying you don't know about it. For God who knows all hearts knows yours, and he knows you knew, and he will reward everyone according to his deeds. My son, honey, wets the appetite, and so does wisdom. When you enjoy becoming wise, there's hope for you. A bright future lies ahead. O evil men, leave the upright man alone and quit trying to cheat him out of his right.
Don't you know that this good man, though you trip him up seven times, will each time rise again? But one calamity is enough to lay you low. Do not rejoice when your enemy meets trouble. Let there be no gladness when he falls. For the Lord may be displeased with you, and stop punishing him. Don't envy the wicked. Don't covet his riches. For the evil man has no future. His light will be snuffed out. My son, watch your step before the Lord and the King, and don't associate with the radicals, for you will go down with them to sudden disaster, and who knows where it will all end.
It is wrong to sentence the poor and let the rich go free. He who says to the wicked you are innocent shall be cursed by many people of many nations, but blessings shall be showered on those who rebuke sin fearlessly. It is an honor to receive a frank reply. Develop your business first, before building your house. Don't testify spitefully against an innocent neighbor. Why lie about him? Don't say, now I can pay him back for all his meanness to me. I walked by the field of a certain lazy fellow and saw that it was overgrown with thorns and covered with weeds, and its walls were broken down. And then as I looked I learned this lesson.
A little extra sleep, a little more slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest means that poverty will break in upon you suddenly, like a robber, and violently like a bandit. we've been reading living proverbs the old old message in modern language we read proverbs chapters twenty two twenty three and twenty four now here's a special invitation to join us the next time we come your way with living proverbs you