He who profits illicitly troubles his own house, But he who hates bribes will live.   Proverbs 15:27

Ours is a society that is quickly becoming corrupt at multiple levels.  It has been sad to watch our country turn from one that valued integrity and honesty, to one that is moving toward the kind of values that exist in a banana republic.  The frequency of elected officials being charged and convicted with fraud is alarming.  The fact that we watch them use their positions of power to enrich themselves with laws they impose on us, while exempting themselves from their own statutes is terrifying.  That is because, as we will learn from today's proverb, those who do such things bring trouble to their own home.  This is true on a personal level, but also on a corporate and even national level too. 

We read that those who profit illicitly trouble their own house.  This simply means that when we choose to leave our integrity at the altar of greed and the pursuit of wealth at any cost, we are going to create serious problems for our family.  This is for several reasons.  First and most importantly is the trouble that is caused for our children and our grandchildren - even to the third and fourth generations of our family.  They watch as we abandon God and embrace the pursuit of riches.  Paul wrote young Timothy and warned that the love of riches is a root of all kinds of evil.  He warns him in the book of 1 Timothy that some who have done this bring harm to themselves and pierce themselves with many a harmful desire.  This will infect our families to several generations. 

We see this in our current immoral business climate in the United States banking and financial sectors.  Hardly a day goes by now without learning about another failure to preserve any moral foundation - as the generation that watched their parents make money and financial security their only goal now take those lessons to new lows.  They are now grabbing all the money they can - in any way that they can - regardless of who is hurt and what businesses are destroyed in the process.  The courts are now filled with men who set up ponzy schemes and who criminally mismanaged funds.  We are learning that raw greed motivated them to steal money that was not theirs.  Oh, and before we get too far away from our proverb, has brought great shame and trouble to their wives, children, and posterity even into the future. 

We are given a protective against this in the second part of this proverb.  The one who hates bribes will live.  He will be protected against the devastating effects of greed.  Bribes blind those who receive them.  They are unable to see the truth because they are focused on easy money that is put in front of them.  The bribe can be anything from the cash handed to a politician to look the other way of pass legislation that gives unfair advantages to certain businesses or groups - to the more subtle bribe that encourages someone to cut corners and cook books to cover their own greed for money.  No matter how the bribe presents itself it is lying to us.  It promises easy money, quick wealth, a way to get whatever we want without hard work and sacrifice.  But the bribe lies to us - not telling us of the pitfalls and dangers that are inherent in living for the world and the flesh.  These two foes of our spiritual growth and maturity are truly deadly - and can not just polute our spirits - but those of many future generations of our family.  That is why we need to protect ourselves from "every kind of greed," as our Lord warns.  For the truth is that a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.  Life comes as we learn to submit every area of our lives to the Lord for Him to use for His glory.  So the next time you are offered a bribe to lay aside biblical principles and values - see it for the dangerous thing it is.  Reject it and turn to the Lord for strength to be content with what you have.  That is the path to life!

There is one who scatters, and yet increases all the more, and there is one who withholds what is justly due, and yet it results only in want.  Proverbs 11:24

What does God think about those who are stingy with their time, their talents, and their  finances?  Here we see two people.  The first is constantly scattering what he has.  He does not hold it tightly to his chest and consider it his own.  He scatters his time to those who need to be encouraged, loved, counselled, built up, and at times rebuked and corrected.  He scatters his talents to the church - to the business he owns or works at - to the community when they need him.  He scatters his finances as he invests in the kingdom of God and into the needs of others around him.  This man is constantly scattering - not just money - but godly influence and the love of God.  He is like a man walking through a barren-looking field - tilled - but without anything on it.  As he walks he does not see the barrenness, but rather what that field can be if someone sows it properly.  His scattering is not just giving away what God has given him.  It is planting.  It may not look like much as he scatters seed everywhere.  But as that seed dies and comes to life first as a seedling, then as a plant, then as a full grown crop, then as a field that is white unto harvest - the man is seen for the wisdom that he had.  He has scattered - yet he increases all the more.  He will increase in influence - in favor with those whom he selflessly loves - in financial strength as God blesses him for his giving - in favor with God as he gives himself to obey the Lord and follow Him fully.  This man will not be poor for scattering what was given to him.  On the contrary - according as he has sown - he will reap thrity, sixty, and a hundred fold.  He will take his talent and not bury it in the ground.  He will invest it - return it to his master - and be put in charge of many things. 

The stingy man's end is much different.  We read that he withholds what is justly due.  There is a pregnant statement if ever there was one.  What is justly due?  For those of us who know the Word of God - we are to give God a tithe of all that we have and produce.  That does not come from the Old Testament Law - although it does teach tithing.  It comes from Abraham's example before the Law was given.  He gave a tenth of all he gained to Melchizedek.  He did so as our example of giving - as well as he is the example of our faith as well.  What is due though is everything!  We are not just to surrender to God 10% and think we are done.  We are to give all that we are and all that we have for God's glory.  But the unwise man withholds what is due.  He is not just a stingy man, he is a selfish man.  Like the unwise farmer he thinks everything is his - to be used as he sees fit - for his own glory and his own selfish ends.  When blessed with a bumper crop he does not consider giving some away.  He chooses to tear down his old barns and build new ones that can keep all his stuff for himself.  He is selfish to his own harm.  The wisdom of God tell us that this man only winds up in want.  The rich fool planned to keep everything for himself and died that very night.  What he gained was nothingness for all eternity.  The rich man who disdained to feed Lazarus with the scraps of his table did not die rich.  He died selfish and self-centered.  He died poorer than Lazarus - for he died and went to eternal punishment in hell.  He had everything he could think of in life - but in death he wound up destitute for eternity. 

Dear saints of God - learn to be one who scatters rather than one who only gathers and holds tighly.  The tight-fisted man will have his hand broken - and his grip crushed in the end.  Everything he thinks he holds tightly to will be gone in an instant.  He will ultimately lose everything.  The generous man who scatters will not lose anything.  In fact his sowing guarantees that a crop will come and a harvest 50 times greater than he had before will come.  Truly the wise man is the generous man - the giving man - the scattering man.  Be that man.

Discipline your son while there is hope, And do not desire his death. Proverbs 19:18

At first glance this particular proverb seems kind of intense.  But when you consider what happens when a child is not taught to bring his selfish tendencies under some kind of discipline and control - you are leaving them in a very precarious position in life.

We are to discipline our children early.  That is what is being said by saying to discipline a child while there is hope.  The hope is that by helping a child to recognize selfishness - and to fight its destructive ways - you are giving that child hope for better things.  Consider if you will the start of life on this planet.  We are taught that Adam and Eve had two sons.  Jealousy led one son to kill his brother.  The early chapters of Genesis inform us of a remarkable downward spiral that took place in the human race.  By the time God decided to destroy all but Noah's family, the imagination of man was set continuously on evil.  It did not take long for the Fall of mankind to manifest itself in every kind of sin and rebellion imaginable.  This is why we MUST discipline our sons.  Because of the Fall mankind is basically and terminally selfish and self-centered.  Left to himself man would destroy himself with this selfish bent.  Discipline at an early age helps to combat this natural selfish tendency.  We bring this discipline to our children in hope that they will have their basic, natural selfish tendencies held in check until a time when they are convicted of sin by the work of the Holy Spirit.  It is not that we think we can overcome the flesh by child-training, but we do see a need to put limitations and boundaries in their lives so that the flesh is not completely unchecked. 

To withhold discipline from a child is to "desire his death."  There are some who translate this as meaning that a father is not to discipline so severely that he winds up killing a child, but the evidence behind this translation is very weak.  The King James version translates it as a call to discipline a child and not be swayed by their crying.  When you discipline a child properly, most will cry.  Some will cry because they were spanked - others will cry because they are responding to the guilt of being caught - while still others will cry to try to get you to stop the discipline process.  Whatever the case, this passage, if translated this way is trying to steel the heart of a parent who may decide against discipline because their heart just can't handle having their child cry or be in any kind of pain.  This is actually selfishness on the parent's part because they should be looking at the long term effects of the punishment and discipline, not the short-term reaction of the child. 

The other main way this is translated is to warn the parents of the long term effects of not disciplining a child.  The natural selfishness of a child will lead them to reject the Lord and embrace their full sinfulness.  This, if left to fester and grow to its fullness will bring a child to a point where they will embrace a lifestyle without God.  In the end, their willfulness will kill them - if not with actions that are harmful to their lives - then with a rejection of God and His discipline.  Hebrews 12:5-9 reminds us that God disciplines us as a godly parent would.  If a child is only used to getting their own way, they will reject such a God - and will ultimately reject Christ. 

Disciplining a child is serious business.  We are to do so with a godly set of standards and choices.  These guide a father as he disciplines with a view to godliness - and also as he reigns in his own anger and refrains from having discpline turn into abuse.  But the real end in disciplining a child is to turn them away from their own selfish, fleshly tendencies.  The process of making a child face correction and conviction for doing wrong is preparation for God's future rebuke of their conduct.  This one will come by God's grace as they are convicted of their sin - and brought to repentance and faith in Jesus Christ as the answer for their sinfulness and need of salvation.  In light of THAT day, discipline your child and make them face their selfishness and sinfulness - for your preparatory work will TRULY prevent them from death - ultimate death due to sin.

"Bad, bad," says the buyer, But when he goes his way, then he boasts. Proverbs 20:14

There are proverbs which present the heart of man to us - so that we can know how to deal with men in a fallen world.  This is one of those proverbs.  The truth of this proverb needs to be grasped especially by those who are in the business world - and those who go forth to buy and sell in the marketplace.  If we know this truth, we will be better armed to know the hearts of men - and to know how to bargain with them, as well as why they can be so stubborn and insistent on getting a price as low as possible.

We have here what seems to be a contradiction in the one who is the buyer.  At one point he is saying, "Bad, bad," about the merchandise that he is seeking to buy.  Yet in the next moment, after making the purchase, he boasts about what he has received.  This is deceit on the part of the buyer - yet he is engaging in the deceit to make sure that he can get the lowest price possible.  Not that this is ethical at all - but it is far too often how men think they need to negotiate.

A story is told by St. Augustine of a certain banker in his time who told an entire theater of men that he would show every man what was in his heart the next time they met.  When the time came, the theater was full and all awaited with a breathless silence for his words.  He stood up, and in a single sentence said, "You all wich to buy cheap, and sell dear."  The crowd waited for an instant - then broke into applause for his statement, but everyone one of themt agreed that the same was in every one of their hearts.  This reveals to us the very same thing that this proverb says today.  We all wish to buy as cheap as possible, and then sell the same at the highest price we can get. 

Some might say that this is why the captialist system needs to be destroyed and replaced with another system that is based on equality.  Yet there is a fundamental problem with any other system - especially socialism or communism.  Who is going to guarantee this so-called equality?  Is there one among us who is NOT tainted by sin?  Is there anyone who can say that selfishness does not enter the equation?  And can anyone deny that when systems are put into place where the government is supposed to provide true equity, that the very government that promises this fairness, eventually turns to be the greatest oppressor of the people in the end? 

Though this proverb may cause some to chafe at the thought of its inherent selfishness, we need to see that in a fallen world, no one is able to truly do business without an inherent self-interest.  But when a system is put into place that allows the greatest freedom of choice by the people, then this inherent self-interest actually acts as a guard against any one person taking control of everything and acting in their own self-interest to the detriment of all. 

The wise man knows the heart of God - and in this case, he also knows the heart of men.  John 3 says that Jesus knew what was in the heart of a man.  That is why He did not gauge His success or failure on the momentary accolades of the crowds that surrounded Him.  They cheered Him when He multiplied bread and fish, but then left Him in John 6 when He spoke hard truth to them.  A wise man knows the hearts of men - and that is why in the arena of men governing men, he sets up safeguards.  Our forefathers were wise in setting up a system of government where all three branches had checks and balances to ensure that none would become dominant over all.  In the same way, it is wise for man to function under an economic system where his own selfishness is a check and balance on him in the marketplace.

There is a way which seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.  Proverbs 14:12

Why is it that we cannot just trust our natural instincts concerning God and issues of morality and truth?  If this proverb is true (and it is), then we face a very real danger when we trust what we think is right in our lives.  When we live a self-directed life and a life that is self-oriented - we are going to have very serious problems.  Why is this the case? 

First of all, we need to see that for a time in this life - this proverb may seem like it is wrong.  There are those who do what they think is right - and it seems to go well for them.  I would agree with this assessment for the here and now - for life on this earth.  But that is not what this proverb is saying to us.  It is saying that the end of a self-directed life is death.  The word end here is our old friend, "acharith," the Hebrew word meaning the latter end of things. 

Things seemed to be going marvelous for the rich farmer who did not use his riches for the glory of God.  Things seemed to be going well for the rich man who lavished abundance on himself, but did not even notice the starving Lazarus at his gate.  Things seemed to be going well for Belshazzar the king as he feasted with his nobles and friends and drank wine out of the temple goblets and toasted the gods of silver and gold.  Things seemed to be going well for many people who lived a life of luxury and self-indulgence here on earth.  The problem is going to come at the latter end of their lives.

The rich farmer, after building bigger barns and saying he was set for life - experienced the end of his life - and had done nothing to prepare for eternity.  The rich man realized as James said, the humiliation of his exalted position on earth, as he envied the destitute Lazarus' one in the afterlife.  He begged for Lazarus to only dip the tip of his finger in water and touch the end of his tongue - for he was in agony in the fires of hell.  Belshazzar soon grasped the infinite foolishness of serving the false gods of silver and gold - when the true and living God sent a hand to write on his wall.  He learned that his self-directed life had been weighed in the balances - and he was found wanting.  One can only hope he enjoyed that banquet that evening - for by the next evening he was dead and in hell - forever wanting in the sight of God.

These three are examples for us of the stupidity of the self-directed life.  There are many others in Scripture and in life who follow their footsteps into hell.  There is Dathan and Abiram who opposed God and received a non-stop trip to hell via the ground opening up and swallowing them and their families whole.  There were the inhabitants of Sodom and Gomorrah who undoubtedly held the same concept of God keeping His morality off of their bodies.  They wound up fried along with their cities as God's judgment revealed their latter end.  And, lest we think that this ignoble end is only for those guilty of heinous sin - there are those who die every day as good ole boys - as "good" "moral" people.  Their ultimate end was sealed when they decided that they were decent enough and did not need Jesus Christ and what He did on the cross to pay for their sins. 

When you listen to the news, the entertainment industry, the religious elite, and the gurus of public opinion - you would think that the cross of Christ is foolishness (Gee that sounds like Paul in 1 Corinthians doesn't it).  You would think that mankind does not need a religious crutch to lean on - mankind can solve their own problems without religion or some savior.  But reality is this - mankind does not need a crutch.  We would only need a crutch if we were injured.  The fact is that we are dead!  We need a whole new life.  We might need a religious system if we only needed modification.  The fact is that we are ruined.  We need to be completely regenerated and made new.  But the world for the most part rejects these truths revealed to us in Scripture.  They have a way that seems right to them - that makes more sense.  That is because "the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God."  It is because, "the Jews ask for signs and the Greeks (read thinkers here) search for wisdom; but we preach Christ curcified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness, but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God." 

There is that way that seems to right to men - but in the end "THAT WAY" is actually the foolish and the stupid one.  If they continue following it and reject the gospel . . . it will end in death - eternal death in hell.  I know that is not popular in today's culture - either religious or secular - but nevertheless - it is the truth.  If we are wise we will reject what the world calls wisdom - and embrace the gospel of Jesus Christ - for that is truly wisdom that will last through all the ages and until the end of time.

Do not claim honor in the presence of the king, And do not stand in the place of great men; For it is better that it be said to you, "Come up here," Than for you to be placed lower in the presence of the prince, Whom your eyes have seen. Proverbs 25:6-7

There is a real danger of claiming honor in the presence of leaders and people of importance.  The danger lies in whether they agree with your evaluation of yourself or not.  That is why it is wise to embrace humility when in the presence of leaders and people of importance.

We are told not to claim honor in the presence of the king.  This is because a king or a great man already has a standing of honor and respect.  When we claim one - we may claim something they don't think we should have.  We are also told to be careful about standing in the place of great men.  Your mother may think you are awesome and great - but that's because she is your mom.  Not everyone in the world carries a picture of you in their wallet.  The wise man embraces humility and a low view of himself.  He is not boastful and full of himself.  Instead he chooses to let his works, his attitudes, and his value be evaluated by others who see what he does.  He focuses on being a servant and being a person of excellence.  Whatever happens as a result of his actions he lets others decide.  This way, if he is lifted up and praised, it is due to the words of others and not due to the arrogant braggadocio of his own words. 

This is what verse 7 presents to us.  We are told that is it better for others to say to us that we should, "Come up here."  What is being said is that we should leave the praise to others.  When we receive it - others are elevating us.  We simply receive their praise graciously and gratefully.  There is one of the dangers of having too high a view of ourselves.  We begin to believe our own press.  We think we are awesome and that others really should be praising us and lifting us up.  This places us in a very precarious place. 

We read the final admonition to us in this verse and it is one we should think about very seriously.  It's better for someone to say, "Come up here," than or us to be demoted in the presence of the prince.  To be humbled is . . . well . . . a humbling experience.  It is bad enough to be humbled in a one on one situation - but here we are talking about being humbled before a prince - and probably before his court as well.  Arrogance has a very high cost - and that is seen nowhere more clearly than in this one who decided to assume a high place in the court of a king or a prince. 

The Biblical example of this is found in the book of Esther.  Haman was elevated to a high place in Ahasuerus' kingdom.  He was given authority which quickly went to his head.  Soon Haman decided that everyone should exalt him - like he was king.  When Mordecai would not do this - he decided to abuse his authority not just to hurt Mordecai, but to destroy his people as well.  This plot seemed like it would succeed, were it not for the prayers of God's people and God's intervention.  This process wasn't hindered at all by Haman's exceedingly great pride and arrogance.  His fall came when he was asked by the king what should be done for the man who the king desired to honor.  Haman's pride was at its highest and worst point when the only thought that came to him was that he was the one whom the king spoke of when asking this.  Little did he know that the one the king decided to honor was his rival.  Suddenly all the arrogance and pride in destroying an entire people for a slight he felt to his pride was caving in upon him.  He faced devastation as a series of events took place where he was no longer asked to, "Come up here," by the king.  His was a careening fall from grace to his death by execution. 

Arrogance does not pay in the end.  It will bring about a devastating end for the one who embraces it.  But the humble man who does not seek to advance himself will prosper.  He will do so in one way or another.  Either he will be advanced by the king - a turn of events he will receive with the same grace and attitude with which he served in the first place - or - he will continue to serve graciously because his goal was not honor and glory anyway.  His goal was simply to serve those around him in the name of Jesus Christ.  If he accomplishes that - he is happy.