Proverbs 22

Proverbs 22: Proverbs of Solomon (Cont.).

A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold. Rich and poor have this in common:  the Lord is the Maker of them all. Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it. The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor. 

Believers and non-believers are both known for their name. Their name is spread among family, friends, and acquaintances, along with the actions they are known for. God's will is that our names would be good and that our name would be known for righteous actions. Our names are not about our riches or our poorness, but about our Maker, the Lord. God made all of us and whether we are rich or poor God wants us to live generous lives. We are to be kind and share our food with the poor. God's desire is for us to raise our children in His ways and then they will not turn from it, even when old. Our children should have good, generous names.

Proverbs 22: Thirty Sayings of the Wise

Saying 1: Pay attention and turn your ear to the sayings of the wise; apply your heart to what I teach, teaching you to be honest and to speak the truth.

Saying 2: Do not exploit the poor because they are poor and do not crush the needy in court, for the Lord will take up their case and will exact life for life.

Saying 3: Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered, or you may learn their ways and get yourself ensnared.

Saying 4: Do not be one who shakes hands in pledge or puts up security for debts; if you lack the means to pay, your very bed will be snatched from under you.

Saying 5: Do not move an ancient boundary stone set up by your ancestors.

Saying 6: Do you see someone skilled in their work? They will serve before kings; they will not serve before officials of low rank.

God's will is for us to be honest and to speak the truth. Speaking falsehood will only lead to destruction. God wants us to take care of the poor and to not exploit the poor or crush the needy. The Lord himself will take up their case and those who crush them will be destroyed. God is clear that we are not to be hot-tempered or to make friends with someone who is hot-tempered because the ways of one easily angered lead to ensnarement. We are to forgive, overlooking offenses, and be slow to anger. God's will is for us to be free and to not be yoked to anyone or anything on Earth. If you take up a pledge or put up security for debts then you are yoked to that person. God warns that if that happens then you will lose your very bed. We are not to move an ancient boundary stone set up by our ancestors, which means that we can't take what was already given. The Promised Land was divided according to the Israelites's ancestors and to move a boundary stone would be to remove an inheritance already given. God's will is that we would be skilled in our work.