Proverbs 19

Proverbs 19

New King James Version (NKJV)

1 Better is the poor who walks in his integrity

Than one who is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.

2 Also it is not good for a soul to be without knowledge,

And he sins who hastens with his feet.

3 The foolishness of a man twists his way,

And his heart frets against the LORD.

4 Wealth makes many friends,

But the poor is separated from his friend.

5 A false witness will not go unpunished,

And he who speaks lies will not escape.

6 Many entreat the favor of the nobility,

And every man is a friend to one who gives gifts.

7 All the brothers of the poor hate him;

How much more do his friends go far from him!

He may pursue them with words, yet they abandon him.

8 He who gets wisdom loves his own soul;

He who keeps understanding will find good.

9 A false witness will not go unpunished,

And he who speaks lies shall perish.

10 Luxury is not fitting for a fool,

Much less for a servant to rule over princes.

11 The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger,

And his glory is to overlook a transgression.

12 The king’s wrath is like the roaring of a lion,

But his favor is like dew on the grass.

13 A foolish son is the ruin of his father,

And the contentions of a wife are a continual dripping.

14 Houses and riches are an inheritance from fathers,

But a prudent wife is from the LORD.

15 Laziness casts one into a deep sleep,

And an idle person will suffer hunger.

16 He who keeps the commandment keeps his soul,

But he who is careless of his ways will die.

17 He who has pity on the poor lends to the LORD,

And He will pay back what he has given.

18 Chasten your son while there is hope,

And do not set your heart on his destruction.

19 A man of great wrath will suffer punishment;

For if you rescue him, you will have to do it again.

20 Listen to counsel and receive instruction,

That you may be wise in your latter days.

21 There are many plans in a man’s heart,

Nevertheless the LORD’s counsel—that will stand.

22 What is desired in a man is kindness,

And a poor man is better than a liar.

23 The fear of the LORD leads to life,

And he who has it will abide in satisfaction;

He will not be visited with evil.

24 A lazy man buries his hand in the bowl,

And will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.

25 Strike a scoffer, and the simple will become wary;

Rebuke one who has understanding, and he will discern knowledge.

26 He who mistreats his father and chases away his mother

Is a son who causes shame and brings reproach.

27 Cease listening to instruction, my son,

And you will stray from the words of knowledge.

28 A disreputable witness scorns justice,

And the mouth of the wicked devours iniquity.

29 Judgments are prepared for scoffers,

And beatings for the backs of fools.

My Thoughts:

1. So let’s start with (v. 5) we read “A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who speaks lies will not escape”
   1.  There is a story of a 12-year-old boy was a key witness in a lawsuit. One of the lawyers, after intense questioning, asked, “Your father told you what to say, didn’t he?” “Yes,” answered the boy. “Now tell us,” pursued the lawyer, “what were his instructions?” “Well,” replied the boy, “Father told me the lawyers would try to tangle me in my testimony; but if I would just be careful and tell the truth, I could say the same thing every time.”
   2. Well no one is perfect and all have tried to tell a lie to get out of trouble but the truth is that one lie leads to another to cover up the previous one, and eventually the liar is caught in his own web of deceit. (v. 9) says, “He who speaks lies will perish.” Lying not only affects our relationship with our friends and loved ones but it affects our relationship with the Lord as well.
2. In (v. 15) we read “Laziness casts one into a deep sleep, and an idle person will suffer hunger”.
   1. There is an old saying, “God helps those that help themselves” try repeating that and there will be someone tells you, that saying is not in the Bible. Well maybe not word for word but let’s look at (Ex. 16:4), yes it is true that God provided the manna to fall but He did not put it on their plates they had to get up and collect it. I see this same idea in (John 6:31-35) Jesus tells people that He is the bread of life but He also tells them that they must come to Him to receive it.
   2. Let’s look at (2 Thess. 3:10-12) we read “For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies. Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread.”
3. And we will finish today with (v.21) “There are many plans in a man’s heart, Nevertheless the LORD’s counsel—that will stand”
   1. I cannot tell how many times I have made plans and they never happen. If you would have told me 10 years ago I would be a Pastor of a Small Church in Valdez Alaska I would have laughed at you. But God knows us and His plans for us; this may be working a farm in Texas or Pastoring in Alaska. We need to remember that they are His plans and if we watch for the signs and pray God will reveal them to us.
   2. I do think that most people are religious to some point, God did create us, but because sin has disrupted man’s faculties, even his religious beliefs are wrong  unless they harmonize with the eternal purpose and counsel of the Lord, (Isa. 46:9-11; Eph. 1:11). It is the worst kind of folly to resist God’s perfect counsel for one’s own fallible counsel.

Thought of the Day

“Opportunities to be kind are never hard to find”

I will never forget being in the “big blackout” of November 9, 1965. This widespread power outage darkened eight states in the northeastern US, and portions of Ontario and Quebec in eastern Canada—covering 80,000 square miles and affecting 30 million people.

With no electric lights, candles were in great demand. An announcer on a New York radio station that stayed on the air because it had auxiliary power reported, “An interesting drama is being unfolded on our streets. The price of candles in many stores has doubled. On the other hand, some good-hearted merchants are offering their candles at half price, or even giving them away.”

Some store owners let their concern for others in the hour of emergency outweigh their desire for personal gain. Others, however, took advantage of the situation and put their personal gain ahead of their concern for others. The very same circumstances produced both self-seeking opportunists and selfless philanthropists.

How would we react? Would we have pity on those in need and show kindness to them? (Proverbs 19:17,22). The words of Galatians 6:10 are the only fitting response: “As we have opportunity, let us do good to all.” —Richard De Haan (Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved)

Do a deed of simple kindness,

Though its end you may not see;

It may reach, like widening ripples,

Down a long eternity. —Norris

Personal Reflection and Discussion

1. What do you think (v. 22) is saying?
2. What other things do you see in the text?

Prayer Activities

1. Call your Partner and discuss this devotional.
2. Continue to have a prayer list and continue to praying for them.
3. Pray with them and ask for the following;
   1. For God to give us the heart that will sale our candle at half price.
   2. For God to walk with us in all our relationships.
   3. For the individuals on your pray list.
4. Let’s use (2 Tim. 2:1) for today’s prayer verse.