Sleeping Disorder

For Friday, May 27, 2005
Proverbs 10:5

He who gathers in summer is a prudent son,
but he who sleeps in harvest is a son who brings shame.

It is prudent to think ahead and "gather" while one can in preparation for the future. One of my more prudent decisions in college was to get the reading list for my fall course on American novels. I am a slow reader, and I knew I didn't stand a chance trying to read a novel every week for the class. By reading half the books, I was able to keep up the work load in the fall. In contrast to the prudent son is the lazy son who not only fails to prepare for the fall harvest, but sleeps when the harvesting time comes. Undoubtedly he had rational excuses for his failure. Perhaps he had been busy during the summer and needed to catch up on his rest. The time seemed to fly by before he could be ready. The lazy person is lazy because...well, he is lazy. And his laziness brings shame, not merely upon himself, but his family who were depending on his help. But then, the lazy person fails to take into account how his behavior affects those around him.

Spiritually, let's take Jesus' admonition to be ready when the final harvest comes. Let us be gathering now, serving his kingdom faithfully and zealously, and not be found sleeping when the Lord returns for the harvest. How many will not be ready simply because they were too lazy to heed the gospel message?

How to Get Rich

For Thursday, May 26, 2005
Proverbs 10:4

A slack hand causes poverty,
but the hand of the diligent makes rich.

I once commented to a relative about the bad luck of an individual who kept having trouble holding down jobs. The relative replied, "Sometimes you have to make your own luck." That is the point of this proverb. We cannot control all of our circumstances, but more often than not, our success or lack of success reflects personal discipline and attitude. The hard worker usually will fare better than the lax worker. The worker aspiring to improve himself and his circumstance will normally do better than the one merely hoping that life will get better. One of my observations as principal of City Center Academy was that a person's rank academically was more closely tied in with the work ethic of the student than with the student's natural ability. In most years, the valedictorian was not the most mentally gifted, but almost always the hardest and smartest worker.

Apply this principle spiritually. In truth, our growth spiritually is the result of the Holy Spirit working in us to sanctify us. But typically, that work can be seen in the attention we give to growing spiritually - our attentiveness to studying and being taught Scripture; our attention to prayer; our desire to be active in the church body and to serve in God's kingdom; our consciousness of being a witness for Christ in the workplace, school, and home by the good work that we do and the love we demonstrate. How diligent are you in becoming rich spiritually?

Good Hunger

For Wednesday, May 25, 2005
Proverbs 10:3

The Lord does not let the righteous go hungry,
but he thwarts the craving of the wicked.

Perhaps Jesus had in mind this proverb when he taught, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied" (Matthew 5:6). It is for righteousness that the righteous hunger, and surely God will not fail to feed such fine food to his people. The wicked crave what is unjust and immoral, thinking that by such things they will be satisfied. But they remain hungry, never satisfied with what they have, either wanting more or something else.

The meal of the wicked does not satisfy, either because the meal is bad or the means of getting it taints the food. But whatever comes from the Lord is rich and satisfying. What will you eat today? Will it be what is good and honorable and wise, or will it be the scrappings of superficial entertainment and worldly fare? Hunger for righteousness; hunger for holiness; hunger for the heart of God, and you will find a bountiful meal indeed.

Profitable Treasure

For Tuesday, May 24, 2005
Proverbs 10:2

Treasures gained by wickedness do not profit,
but righteousness delivers from death.

Crime does not pay. Most likely the treasure will be the downfall of the wicked as they are caught in their crime sooner or later. Perhaps they are not caught; nevertheless, they must hide their deeds and live in guarded fear either from the law or from others wicked. Perhaps they live without fear, confident in their invincibility; even so their names are tarnished, their friends are bought, and their curse lies on their family. Perhaps they die in peace, but what awaits them is an everlasting nightmare. What profit is it to gain the temporary treasures of the world, only to lose the eternal treasure of one's soul?

But righteousness truly delivers from death. By his righteousness, Christ was able to die the death that would bring complete deliverance over sin and death. And because his righteousness has been imputed to us, we are truly delivered from death. What greater motivation do we need to earn our living through righteous means? Do not give in to the temptation to compromise righteousness for the sake of temporary gain.

The Wise Son

For Monday, May 23, 2005
Proverbs 10:1

A wise son makes a glad father,
but a foolish son is a sorrow to his mother.

A foolish son or daughter is a sorrow to parents, for whatever else they may achieve in life, it is in their children that they take greatest pleasure and pride. It is their children whom they love most and through whom they hope to leave a loving and honorable legacy. How great then must be the joy and pride of God the Father in his wise son. How joyful was the day of his son's baptism when he declared, "This is my beloved son, with whom I am well pleased." How joyful it was to see his son live a life of perfect obedience, always doing his father's will. Whatever the pain of the cross when his wrath must come down upon his son, yet great was his pride that his son would bear it willingly and victoriously, so that we prodigals could be restored as sons and daughters. Gives thanks this day for this Wise Son, who is not ashamed to call us his brothers and sisters (cf Hebrews 2:11).