The king's favor is toward a servant who acts wisely, But his anger is toward him who acts shamefully. Proverbs 14:35

Anyone who has ever worked knows the difference between receiving the favor of your boss versus receiving an angry rebuke or tirade. Today's proverb reminds us that when we serve others - especially a king or person in high authority - it is good to be prudent in how we perform our duties.

The king will show favor to a servant who acts wisely. The word for "wisely" here is the Hebrew word, "sakal" which has as its root meaning to act with prudence. One who acts wisely takes time to consider his actions. He ponders what the consequences are for a word that he speaks or an action that he takes. He wants to understand and have insight into what he does. Any leader loves having such a servant or employee. They are not quick to rush into things and as a result make fewer mistakes. They are good employees because they honestly think of the good of the company - and are prone to being selfless toward others.

The king or boss in a situation will react with angrer though toward someone who acts shamefully. The idea behind this word is to cause shame or disgrace. Leaders know that when someone is not thinking and not pondering their choices - they will inevitably walk into a lot of problems. These particular problems are enough to shame a boss - or disgrace a king. It should not shock us therefore to learn that the king or boss reacts with wrath against this one. They are not only falling down on the job - but they are failing in a way that is bringing shame and disgrace on the business.

The foolish man acts without taking time to think about what is about to do. He has even less knowledge of the potential consequences for what he is doing. He does not want any restraint upon himself. The wise man looks things over and is careful to make a decision consistent with what is best for his authorities. That is why the king shows him such favor.

He who diligently seeks good seeks favor, But he who seeks evil, evil will come to him. Proverbs 11:27

What you seek will eventually be seeking you.  That is the wisdom that Solomon is seeking to give to his children - and God is seeking to give to His.  We have a fairly general statement made here about this - nevertheless it is still wise to hear it. 

The words good and evil are the usual words that we see in Scripture.  The word "good" means something beneficial, well-pleasing to God, fruitful, morally correct, proper or convenient.  The word "evil" meaning something bad in a moral and ehtical sense.  The final arbiter of whether something is in either category is God and His Word.

What brings a distinction to this is the use of the word "seeks."  In this passage each time it is used - it is a different Hebrew word - and that helps us to see what is going on in this passage itself.  The first time this word is used it is used to speak of diligently seeking good.  The word here is "shachar" in the Hebrew and it means to inquire after something or someone.  Here what the person is iquiring about is what is good.  This is a passionate search to know and to walk in what is good.  The second time the word is used it is the Hebrew word "baqas."  This means to seek something so that you can obtain it.  When these two words are put together they communicate something very important to us.  The wise man is the one who diligently inquires of God what is good.  He wants to understand what is morally right and good - what is beneficial to others and to himself.  But he or she inquires (seeks) it because he or she wants to obtain favor from God.  Thus the seeking (inquiring - questioning - study - longing for knowledge) is so that they can please God and obtain His favor.  There is another aspect of this that simply means by inqiring what is good morally - they also will obtain favor with others as they watch their selflessness and willingness to give of themselves. 

The last time the word "seeks" is used - it is used in the context of seeking evil.  The Hebrew word here is "darash" which means to seek after something by frequently going after it.  It has the idea of treading a path again and again.  It speaks of someone who is seeking after something by going somewhere often.  Thus the idea here is that the one who is seeking evil - is choosing to tread a path to it again and again in their lives.  We are told that those who do such things, evil will come to them. 

King Saul is an example for us of someone who did this.  Although Saul started out well - he began to seek out evil by not obeying the Lord.  He tried to obey God - his way.  He did not carry out God's wrath against Amalek.  He decided to keep what he thought was good and use it to serve God.  He did not honor God's way of sacrificing to Him.  When Samuel did not come in an allotted time - Saul did God's will his way.  He made the sacrifice.  This led to a pathway to evil for King Saul.  As he walked this path again and again it became easier to disobey than obey.  His walk with God deteriorated.  He soon found it easier to follow his own flesh than respond to the Spirit's leading.  In time evil came to him - and he followed it.  His life is a reminder that we need to seek to know and do good - rather than frequent the path to evil.  What we seek is what will eventually come to us.  Seek evil and evil will be ready to lead you any time you need direction.  Seek good - both to know what it is and then to own it by having a heart that seeks good - and favor from God and from others will be granted to you.  

He who is guarantor for a stranger will surely suffer for it, But he who hates being a guarantor is secure. Proverbs 11:15

There are at least six different times when Proverbs warns us against being either an guarantor or against surety.  Here we are warned against being a guarantor for a stranger.  The warning we are given by Solomon (and by the Lord) is that we will surely suffer harm for such an action. 

When you guarantee another's debt - you are responsible for their action or their inaction.  If they pay their debt on time, you will have no problem.  If they do not - then you have to pay their debt.  The reality though is that a person who has to ask for a guarantor is usually someone that a bank or a business considers a higher risk.  We should learn from their concern that we too, should be concerned as well.  This is why so many who become a guarantor regret it dearly.  The high risk the bank is unwilling to take - becomes the risk of the guarantor.  It is no shock to learn then that more often than not - the guarantor pays the money in the end. 

But what do you say to someone who comes to you asking for surety - or for you to be their guarantor.  First, you graciously decline citing your desire to be their friend longer than the terms on the loan you are being asked to sign.  When you become a guarantor your relationship with that person changes.  It changes either for the length of the loan or, in the case of thsoe who default on the loan, possibly forever.  Your friend may not like hearing this at first - but they will appreciate that you view a friendship as more important than a loan.  Second, you graciously decline citing Scripture.  You explain that your refusal to become a guarantor is being done because you want to obey God.  In this case their frustration will be with God more than you.  Third, you can encourage them lovingly that desiring something they cannot afford is eventually going to be harmful to them.  Those who take this path consistently pay a much higher price in the years to come.  It is better to control our desires, and keep them within the means that God has given to us.  We may not get whatever we want when we want it - but - honestly, has that ever worked out well for anyone?

The Scriptures counsel us to be those who "hate" being a guarantor.  The reason God tells us this is not to make us stingey.  He says it for our protection, for the protection of the friend or family member who asks, and for the protection of relationships we want to keep far into the future - so we can be of long-term encouragement and blessing to those we love.

Where there is no guidance the people fall, But in abundance of counselors there is victory. Proverbs 11:14

How do you make good decisions in life?  Even better said, "How do you make decisions that will not end in you falling on your face?  That is what is addressed in the proverb for today.  There is a way to be confident that your decisions will not come back to haunt you later.  Let's take a look at what God's wisdom has to teach us today about this.

This proverb is all about being willing to seek and take advice.  This does not mean that we cannot know what to do ourselves and do it, but it does warn against the person who thinks in all matters that what is in his own mind will suffice.  This man does not seek counsel at all.  When we read the passage it speaks of having "NO" guidance.  The problem here is that we have a decision maker with an excessive amount of pride in his own thinking.  The willingness to seek and accept advice is a plus - because godly counsel is a must if we are going to walk in God's ways.  We even need to be able to hear and consider advice that we don't want.  Some think that anyone they consider inferior to themselves is unable to offer counsel.  That is a sure way to fall.  It is when we have an abundance of godly counsellors in our life that we will have victory.  The word for victory is "tesuah" and it means to have deliverance, safety, or victory.  It speaks of a military context, of course, but goes beyond that one to also speak of deliverance from sin and from making foolish decisions that harm us later. 

When thinking about this verse two examples come to mind.  The first is that of Balaam.  He sought after and received God's counsel (even though he did it by divination).  But after receiving God's counsel - he decided after seeing the possibility of a huge payday from Balak, to ask God if He had any other ideas concerning cursing Israel.  When God allowed Balaam to go (but only speak what God says) Balaam took it as far more freedom to do what he wanted (which was to make a lot of money from Balak).  Since he would not take counsel from God - the Lord intended to kill him.  Were it not for the counsel of his donkey - he would have been killed that next day.  Balaam had what he wanted to do in his mind - and would not listen to God's counsel.  Fortunately for him the advice the donkey he had just beaten got through to him for a while.  Unfortunately for him - his donkey was not able to speak a second time to keep him from counselling Balak to send his women among the Israelites to get them to commit sexual immorality with the men - to get God to curse Israel.  In the end, Balaam's desire for money and power cost him his life - and eternity in hell. 

The second example is that of king Nebuhadnezzar from Babylon.  His pride and arrogance was leading him down a very destructive path.  He felt "he" was sovereign over his own life - and that all his power and authority had come from himself.  First God sought to counsel him by giving him a strange dream - then Daniel interpretted it.  Daniel let Nebuchadnezzar know that if he did not repent of his pride and arrogance, admitting that God alone was sovereign, he was about to experience life as a beast.  Nebby listened, but did not take the advice.  He fell from being king to being an ordinary beast of the field for 7 years.  He ended that time by lifting his eyes and finally taking counsel to admit that God alone was sovereign.  It took a while, but he learned that in the abundance of counsellors (God and Daniel) there is victory. 

Where are you?  Are you one who thinks that your own understanding is sufficient?  Do you shun the offer of advice and counsel of godly men and women?  If you are, I would encourage you to seriously consider today's proverb.  It warns of a fall that is coming your way.  It also gives you advice about having an abundance of godly counsellors to help you know wisdom - know victory - and know the favor and blessing of God.  A wise man would take this counsel.  A foolish man would seek no other guidance than that which his own mind produces - oh - and he will fall flat on his face eventually.

Do not rob the poor because he is poor, or crush the afflicted at the gate; for the LORD will plead their case and take the life of those who rob them.  Proverbs 22:22-23 

How does God feel about the poor and the afflicted?  What kind of safeguard does God have against those who would treat these people with disregard?  How does God protect these two groups from being expolited by the unscrupulous actions of others?  That is what today's proverb is about. 

This proverb begins with a warning against robbing the poor or crushing the afflicted at the gate.  The gate was the place where financial transactions took place in Israel.  It was the "Wall Street" of their society.  Because this is where the "movers and shakers" of their culture would meet to transact major business, it was also the place God commanded that the poor and the afflicted be given honest and fair treatment. 

The Lord warns against robbing from them and afflicting them.  The word rob is the Hebrew word "gazal" which means to take something by force or to seize something from another because they cannot resist.  Here God is protecting the poor and afflicted because they would not have the kind of business savvy or representation to protect themselves.  The poor are those who a low or small in matters of importance in society.  The word for poor is used to describe the lame, those who were defeated in a military engagement, or someone who is so weak that they are languishing before others.  They cannot rise up to defend themsleves in the gate.  They can barely care for themselves.  Thus they are easy prey to those who want to abuse and steal. 

The Lord also warns against crushing the affllicted.  The afflicted are those suffering in a state of poverty, oppression, or misery.  They are in serious want - and biblically are those whose only hope is in the deliverance and grace of God.  They are easy pickings for the ungodly and unprincipled.  To crush them is to beat them down and oppress them.  Again, their sad state of affairs makes them unable to stop those who would use their power and position to take advantage of their poverty. 

The warning God gives those with power and authority in the gate is to refrain from treating these people badly.  But if someone at the gate would proceed in acting unjustly, we have a picture that should cause us to shrink back in terror.  God says that He Himself will plead their cause.  The poor and afflicted have no representation - or do they?  God said that He would be their representative.  He would "plead their case.  This word "plead" is a legal term.  It means that God Himself will rise up and argue their lawsuit.  The word is "riyb" and it means to strive and contend in a lawsuit or legal case.

Imagine someone among the poor and afflicted - trying to muster up enough strength to stand in the gate and argue their case.  They have no ability to do this - and some in the crowd would even begin to laugh as they haltingly began their defense.  Yet, as they stood humiliated in that setting suddenly a noise would be heard - a mighty rushing of wind from heaven - and all present would begin to tremble as the mighty presence of God descended into the area of the gate.  The Lord, manifesting Himself as a mighty angel, suddenly appears at the proceeding.  All shrink back from His glory and majesty - as they realize that God Himself has come to argue the cause of the afflicted and needy one.  The prosecutor falls on his face and becomes speechless in the presence of God.  Then God proceeds to take up the case of this one so frail and helpless.  But God not only pleads their case with a passion and wisdom that causes all to fall silent.  He also does something that terrifies everyone in the court-setting of the gate. 

Proverbs 22:23 tells us that God will "take the life of those who rob them."  The phrase "take the life," is literally in the Hebrew "rob the soul."  God promises to rob the soul of those who would rob the poor and afflicted.  Our scene now resumes with God finishing His arguments and brilliantly defending the poor and afflicted in the gate.  Then He turns to the one who so arrogantly thought he could rob the poor and crush the afflicted.  He reaches out a hand toward this one and tears his soul from his body.  Robbed of his very soul, the arrogant one falls lifeless to the ground.  All gasp in horror as they watch this fool careen toward the ground with a thud.  His lifeless, soul-less body now a monument to God's judgment upon those who would abuse the poor.

This is what God promises to those who abuse the poor and afflicted ones.  This is what He says will come to those who live their lives for the sordid gain they can gather from the weakest among us.  Some may read this and mock, saying that they've seen the wealthy and powerful do this many times without retribution from God, but know this - their day is coming.  This proverb is a promise from God - so you can know that one day it is going to happen.  May you be ready by being one who loves and is gracious and compassionate towards the poor.  

"I was almost in utter ruin In the midst of the assembly and congregation." Proverbs 5:14

This is the final statement made by the one who is lamenting their sexual sin of adultery.  It is filled with a tremendous amount of regret - and yet even in this cry of horror over sin, there is hope for those who will be instructed by it.

First we have a warning to those who think that adultery and sexual sin only inhabit the world outside the church.  This person - David - said that he was almost to the point of utter ruin in the midst of the assembly and congregation.  To think that the devil, the flesh, and the world only are problems for those outside the church is to set yourself up for ruin. 

David experienced these things "IN THE MIDST OF THE ASSEMBLY AND CONGREGATION."  Oh, how we need to take heed from this statement that we are not beyond the reach of sin just because we go to church.  The fact is that we are WELL WITHIN THE REACH OF SIN no matter where we are on earth.  David unfortunately forgot this as he walked upon the roof of his house in Jerusalem.  He forgot that it was the time when kings should be going out to war.  He forgot that even if he was king - he needed to be doing God's bidding rather than his own.  He forgot that being lazy and undisciplined will cost us in the end.  He forgot that being in the wrong place at the wrong time - will lead to wrong actions.

God never promises to us a "place" where we can be safe from all temptation and sin.  There is NO place on earth where this exists.  No matter where you go on earth - there will be temptation and there will be a need to draw near to God and look to Him for protection.  There is only a "person" of safety - and that is the Lord our God.  When we draw near to Him we find deliverance and safety.  When we walk with Him and turn to Him - we are with the Only One Who can deliver us from all our temptations and sins.  If David had remembered this he would have realized that he was in far greater danger at home without the presence of God in his life - than if he were in the midst of a fierce battle with God there within. 

The one thing that grants me hope in reading this verse is the word "almost."  One would think that David would have been utterly ruined by his adultery.  Please do not misunderstand that he was going to have to pay a very heavy price before this was over.  He would lose no less than 4 children in this situation.  He would have 10 concubines raped by his own son in broad daylight in front of all Israel.  His kingdom would be divided and many would lose their lives in battles that would ensue.  The losses would be huge - and yet it was "almost" utter ruin. 

God offers grace and forgiveness even in the most horrible of situations.  David took advantage of this grace and fell upon the mercies of God in the end.  God would forgive him and restore him to the joy of his salvation.  Truly this is one of the most amazing stories of mercy and grace in all the Scriptures.  Yet, David, in offering this glimmer of hope in the midst of his cry of despair still is warning us - pleading with us to remember him.  He is pleading with us to remember the high cost of adultery and unfaithfulness to God's call for purity in our lives.  May we see both the warning and the wonder of this passage.  A warning against adultery and sexual sin - and the wonder of God's grace and forgiveness that can save us even in the worst of sitautions and circumstances.

"I have not listened to the voice of my teachers, Nor inclined my ear to my instructors!"   Proverbs 5:13

There are consequences for sexual sin in the lives of those who commit it.  These two verses in Proverbs chapter 5 relate to us what some of these consequences are for the immoral person.  What is fascinating is that these two things are not exactly on the what's what list for sexual immorality - and yet they are both problems that will come for those who practice this kind of lifestyle and choice in life.

It would be wise for us to briefly remember the context of these verses.  These are in the context of a father warning a son not to consort with prostitutes and with women who commit adultery.  The warnings are dire but are in no way hyperbole.  The things being said to this young man are true warnings and they contain true consequences for his actions.  This is why the one who commits adultery later laments that he did not listen to the voice of his teachers - nor pay attention of incline his ear to hear how they were seeking to instruct him.

There is very real ruin and disgrace that attends adultery.  Anyone who has watched a marriage and a family disintegrate under the weight of it knows this to be true.  Yet, even with all the examples that we have before us of these things, men and women still enter into relationships and commit adultery.  The siren call of pleasure drowns out the voice of teachers and instructors who have warned them of the rocky shores upon which they will wreck their lives and the lives of their families.  The only cry they will lift is unfortunately the one that comes from the battered survivors who cry in pain in the midst of their wreckage. 

That is what we have here before us - the cry of the destroyed.  I did not listen to my teachers!  I did not incline my ear to my instructors!  I am ruined due to my sin and my indiscretions!  The cries come from the rocks and from the ruins of lives that have ventured too far into those dangerous waters.  They have ignored the warning of the lighthouse of Scripture that tells them what will happen.  Rebellious and unteachable - their lesson will only be learned the hard way.  They will add their names to the long list of cautionary characters who faced ruin in opposing and thinking they can get past the Scriptures and God's warnings.  All this can seem like too much - but tomorrow we will see a ray of hope in what is said in verse 14.  So if you are on the verge of despair - there is hope - there is mercy - and there is grace!

If a ruler pays attention to falsehood, All his ministers become wicked. Proverbs 29:12

This proverb reminds us that when we are in a position of authority - often what we want to hear is what we are going to hear.  That is why it is so important for rulers, both religious and secular, learn to shun falsehood, lies, and deception in the counsel that they receive.  For, as this proverb says if they listen to this kind of thing - all that they will hear in the future is this type of counsel.  The end of such a swing in the opinion brought to this leader will be that all his subordinates will become wicked.

To "pay attention" to falsehood here means to listen with an intent to obey or heed the advice given.  It has the idea that as the falsehood is offered, rather than reject it, the ruler listens closely and does so with a desire to obey.  This means that the ruler's heart has a predisposition to what is false rather than what is true.  The Word of God says that a godly ruler winnows the wicked from his presence - and makes sure that falsehood will not be spoken to him as advice.

The worst aspect of this ruler's choice to pay attention to falsehood is the affect it has on his ministers.  They will become wicked.  Such a ruler tends to not appreciate men who will tell him the truth.  To be such a man means that you will speak the truth - even if the ruler to whom you speak it becomes angry and doesn't want to hear it.  Such was Daniel - before he was thrown into the lion's den.  Such were Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego before they were cast into the firey furnace.  The king only retracted his actions and his words after he had witnessed God's miraculous deliverance of these men.  Only in the case of David do we see a man who is willing to hear the truth - even if it meant a humbling of himself in repentance for his sin. 

We need to pray daily that our leaders will be men who value truth rather than falsehood.  Included in this prayer is that they will heed biblical truth when it is directly related to legislation that is pending.  Such is the case when it comes specifically to both the abortion issue as well as laws concerning sexuality, decency, and morality.  Too often over the last 30+ years our elected officials, including our president, have not even considered the Bible when making such decisions.  Outside of President Reagan, most of the pro-abortion Republicans have been paper tigers who spoke boldly but carried no stick whatsoever.  We've watch laws concerning public decency become nothing more than the latest retreat from biblical morality.  It has been disheartening to see issues of heterosexual morality, marriage, and now homosexuality made while completely ignoring the counsel of Scripture.  In fact I would have to say that currently one would find themselves shouted down and called the most horrible names to even assert strongly a biblical stance on these issues.  It is almost as if these issues are non-issues any longer.  They are definitely not the front-burner issues that they should be.  We think the greatest issue is the economy - and yet God WILL NOT bless our economy as long as we continue to abort 4000 babies a day and condone as an acceptable sexual lifestyle what He calls an abomination.  We need a president and a Congress who once again listen to and value the truth.  Until we do - not only will they be making wrong decision after wrong decision, but they will also be surrounded by more and more aids who are wicked - because their bosses listen to falsehood.

Bread obtained by falsehood is sweet to a man, But afterward his mouth will be filled with gravel. Proverbs 20:17

Imagine chewing on bread and having it slowly turn from a warm, soft, wonderful taste to cold, hard gravel in your mouth.  This is the picture that the Lord wants to give us concerning the con-man's game - or any way that we seek financial gain through deceiving others.  This proverb centers around the word "falsehood."  This is the Hebrew word "sheqer" and it means a lie, a deception, or a treacherous statement.  The word has the idea of a liar and his lying statements.  Yet here there is an end that is sought - and that is obtaining bread.  There is a financial gain sought in the lie - which is the sweet taste of bread obtained through the false dealing and lying of the con-man.

Once again though, the Bible points us to a long-term view of things.  The fleshly view is that of getting the bread and enjoying it.  This is the short-term, ends-justify-the-means mindset that prevails in too many parts of the world around us.  Who cares how you got the bread - you've got it and it tastes wonderful.  The problem comes in that there will be a price to pay - even if you cheated someone out of the bread for free.  The price is a mouth filled with gravel.  There is a slight Hebraism in this idea of a mouth filled with gravel.  The idea is that though bread tastes sweet at first - the bread obtained by ungodly means will weigh down the one who deceived in the end.  Though sweet at first, the bread will break the teeth of the deceiver - and the bread will weigh like stone in his stomach. 

This takes into account God's moral law.  That law teaches us two things we should consider when deceiving others.  First, God's moral law says, "You shall not steal."  When we deceive others about what we are offering to them, we are thieves - taking their goods without a fair exchange of goods or money in return.  Second, we are told by God's moral law that we are not to bear false witness - which basically means, "do not lie."  No matter how sweet the bread may taste initially - it will be like teeth-breaking rocks on the day that we answer to God for our deceit and con-game.  The wisdom offered to us here is to make decisions based not on our immediate pleasure in the flesh.  We should make decisions based on God's moral law and upon principles of righteousness.  Though we may not gain as much quickly and unrighteously at the beginning, the blessing in the end is worth it.

Take his garment when he becomes surety for a stranger; And for foreigners, hold him in pledge. Proverbs 20:16

It is probably a little shocking to us in the West how often the Word of God talks about the issue of surety.  We are not used to such strong words regarding debt and regarding guaranteeing the debt of others.  But then again this shouldn't be too shocking because as a nation we are a debt loving people.  We have over 14 trillion dollars in government debt and are one of the worst debtor nations in the world.  The people of the United States are not much better having become one of the richest nations in the world - but deceptively - on the basis of debt rather than real wealth. 

It might be wise for us to learn from the Scriptures on this matter because God warns in Isaiah about those who become rich with loans.  This kind of wealth is not wealth at all.  First of all you don't own anything when you "own" it with debt - the bank owns it.  If you want to test this theory try missing payments on your "so-called" wealth - and find out how quickly the bank will eventually come and prove who owns what.  Second, when you become wealthy with debt - you are paying much more for what you are buying than what it is worth.  I remember when my family went to sign for our house loan.  I was horrified when I saw that I was paying close to triple what the house actually cost to buy it with a loan.  That was an eye-opening experience for me. 

The problem with going surety for someone else is that you are in effect giving a guarantee that you will pay their debt if they do not.  To counter this our society has something called collateral, which is something of value that is put up to secure the debt.  When you have collateral you don't have surety - because if the person defaults on their debt, you can take the collateral to pay for what they do not pay.  Good collateral is when you have something close to equal in value to what is borrowed.  Here in this proverb though, we have a situation where someone does not have sufficient collateral for their loan - and therefore all they have is their garment.  God's Word forbids taking a man's "cloak" overnight because for the poor this was all they wrapped themselves in to protect from the cold.  Yet what we see here is that we are told that when a man becomes surety for a stranger - to even take his garment - and when he does this for a foreigner - to hold him in pledge for what he has foolishly guaranteed.  The teaching here is that there has to be a price for foolishness - and especially foolishness with money.  But there is a more sinister possibility here that we need to examine.

Several commentators see this word "stranger" as a sign that this loan was also given because of an involvement with an alluring woman.  If you remember elsewhere in the book of Proverbs, the prostitute is often called a "strange woman."  There is a warning then here given especially to men who deal with money.  That warning is not to be pulled into giving money because we are taken by a woman's alluring appeal.  We all know of the scenes where a woman uses her sexual appeal to get what she wants.  This statement is possibly given to warn men to steel their hearts when an attractive woman comes for an appeal.  We are to loan money on the basis of wisdom - not in response to our glands and egos.

God gives to each of us a provision - and that provision is meant to be used according to the wisdom that He has given in His Word.  We MUST be careful to follow biblical financial principles.  When we vary from them we will face loss and face difficult times because we did not listen to His wisdom or follow it.  We need to realize how often the book of Proverbs offers to us God's take on financial matters - and follow His wisdom to the place of His blessing and protection.  If we do not, we may lose our shirt - or at least our garment.