Proverbs 28

Proverbs 28: More Proverbs of Solomon (Cont.).

The wicked flee though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion. A ruler who oppresses the poor is like a driving rain that leaves no crop. Evildoers do not understand what is right, but those who seek the Lord understand it fully. Better the poor whose walk is blameless than the rich whose ways are perverse. Whoever increases wealth by taking interest or profit from the poor amasses it for another, who will be kind to the poor. The rich are wise in their own eyes; one who is poor and discerning sees how deluded they are. Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy. Blesses is the one who always trembles before God, but whoever hardens their heart falls into trouble. A faithful person will be richly blessed, but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished. To show partiality is not good - yet a person will do wrong for a piece of bread. Those who trust in themselves are fools, but those who walk in wisdom are kept safe. Those who give to the poor will lack nothing, but those who close their eyes to them receive many curses.

God tells us that if we are righteous we can be as bold as lions. Our boldness comes from our righteousness. God tells us that if we seek the Lord we will understand what is right and our walk will be blameless. Again we see that God cares more about our walk with Him than the wealth we have. We are to be kind to the poor and if we gain wealth by taking from the poor we will only lose it. Money does not buy wisdom or happiness, but often times money leads to a false sense of belief that it does. God wants us to confess our sins and repent that we would find mercy. We are to always tremble before God. 

Proverbs 23

Proverbs 23: Thirty Sayings of the Wise (Cont.).

Saying 7: When you sit to dine with a ruler, put a knife to your throat if you are given to gluttony; Do not crave his delicacies, for that food is deceptive.

Saying 8: Do not wear yourself out to get rich; do not trust your own cleverness.

Saying 9: Do not eat the food of a begrudging host, do not crave his delicacies; for he is the kind of person who is always thinking about the cost.

Saying 10: Do not speak to fools, for they will scorn your prudent words.

Saying 11: Do not move an ancient boundary stone or encroach on the fields of the fatherless.

Saying 12: Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to words of knowledge.

Saying 13: Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you punish them with the rod, they will not die.

Saying 14: My son, if your heart is wise, then my heart will be glad indeed.

Saying 15: Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the Lord; There is surely a future hope for you. 

Saying 16: Do not join those who drink too much wine or gorge themselves on meat, for drunkards and gluttons become poor, and drowsiness clothes them in rags.

Saying 17: The father of a righteous child has great joy; a man who fathers a wise son rejoices in him; may your father and mother rejoice; may she who gave you birth be joyful!
Saying 18: An adulterous woman is a deep pit, and a wayward wife is a narrow well; like a bandit she lies in wait and multiplies the unfaithful among men.

Staying 19: In the end it (wine) bites like a snake and poisons like a viper.

The food of the rich is not to be desired and we are not to wear ourselves out for wealth. Wealth is fleeting and with one glance will be gone. Instead store up instruction and knowledge like treasure. Discipline your child that he will be wise. A righteous child brings joy to his parents. Avoid wine and adulterous people. 

Proverbs 13

Proverbs 13: Proverbs of Solomon (Cont.).

A wise son heeds his father's instruction and from the fruit of their lips people enjoy good things. Those who guard their lips preserve their lives, but those who speak rashly will come to ruin.  One person pretends to be rich, yet has nothing; another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth. Where there is strife, there is pride, but wisdom is found in those who take advice. Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life. All who are prudent act with knowledge, but fools expose their folly. A good person leaves an inheritance for their children's children, but a sinner's wealth is stored up for the righteous.

God wants us to listen to advice and guard our lips lest we be led to destruction. How often have we spoke the thoughts on our mind only to find those thoughts have hurt people we cared about? God wants our words to bring healing and not destruction. Again, we aren't to pretend to be something we aren't. God wants us to act with knowledge and to leave an inheritance for our children's children. We should live lives based on wisdom.