A Sure Reward

For Friday, July 29, 2005
Proverbs 11:18

The wicked earns deceptive wages,
but one who sows righteousness gets a sure reward.

This proverb is a commentary on the previous proverb: "A gracious woman gets honor, and violent men get riches." The "riches" that the wicked earn are deceptive. They are but the precursor to disaster and misery, be it in this lifetime or the next. The honor that the righteous receive are a sure reward because it is the honor bestowed by God.

Satan and Christ exemplify this proverb. Satan, in his attacks against Jesus, earned deceptive wages. He appeared to get what he wanted - Jesus disgraced and defeated. What he really earned was his sure downfall. Because Jesus, though tempted, did not sin; because he lived in righteousness, his sacrifice produced his reward of glory and his inheritance - us!

"...when his soul makes an offering for sin,
he shall see his offspring;
he shall prolong his days;
the will of the Lord shall prosper in his hand.
Out of the anguish of his soul
he shall see and be satisfied;
by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant,
make many to be accounted righteous..." Isaiah 53:10-11.

Personal Benefits

For Thursday, July 28, 2005
Proverbs 11:17

A man who is kind benefits himself,
but a cruel man hurts himself.

What typically happens when you do a kind deed? You hold the elevator door open instead of letting it close on the person walking to it; you let the driver pull in front of you in heavy traffic; you help your colleague complete a task, carry the bag for your neighbor. Usually such kind deeds earn a smile and a thank you. What happens to you then? You smile and feel happy. Your kindness benefits you with well-being. Your day becomes more enjoyable; you feel contented; and all because of being kind.

But the person who shuts the door, refuses to let anyone in front of him, and begrudges giving help harms his well-being. His day is a chore to get through; it is filled with stress as he fights for his own advantage; he has tension with his neighbors and colleagues. His cruel acts are actually hits against himself.

Do you want to enjoy today? Start off with acts of kindness. Do you want to mature in your faith and sanctification? Show kindness. Do you want to grow closer to God? Be kind to your neighbor. For such kindness was shown to us by God through the greatest kind act of all – sending his Son to redeem us.

Contrasting Rewards

For Wednesday, July 27, 2005
Proverbs 11:16

A gracious woman gets honor,
and violent men get riches.

If Mrs. Boice had assigned her English students to write proverbs, this one would have gotten her red pen because of the poor attempt at making a contrasting parallel. It goes from singular to plural, from woman to man, and the objexts do not match. One would think that violent men would get dishonor. But they get the money. And as far as they are concerned, they get the better end of the bargain.

But then, the writer would note, they are fools. They very problem is that they get what they value, and only what they value. And, as other proverbs note, they get the wrong end of the bargain. Consider these:

Riches do not profit in the day of wrath,
but righteousness delivers from death (11:4).

Whoever trusts in his riches will fall,
but the righteous will flourish like a green leaf (11:28).

A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches,
and favor is better than silver or gold (22:1).

An implied contrast between the gracious woman and the violent men is that the latter obtain their goal. They are after money. To be gracious, by its very nature, means that the woman's goal is to bless others. One can feign to be gracious in order to win honor, but one cannot actually be gracious with the same goal in mind. Virtue actually is its own reward, or achieves its reward. For honor will come from other people, but especially from God the Just Rewarder, and the only Rewarder who matters.

Givers, Not Lenders Be

For Tuesday, July 26, 2005
Proverbs 11:15

Whoever puts up security for a stranger will surely suffer harm,
but he who hates striking hands in pledge is secure.

This is a proverb that many of us have learned the hard way as we tried to help out someone in need with a loan or signing for a loan. If you wish to help someone, then give. If you make a loan, or co-sign for a loan, then only do so with the expectation that you will not get that money back; otherwise, you set yourself up for a fall.

Friendships have been destroyed and family relations broken over the lending of money. The money owed becomes a sore-spot; the one owing the money starts to avoid you. Conversation is strained because you both know the issue is always present. Or perhaps the friend seems to show no concern. All the more then his attitude aggravates you. Doesn't he care?

Do not put others in your debt, especially when it comes to money. What you part with, do so freely and cheerfully. Know the cost of co-signing and be willing and ready to pay that cost. Scripture tells us to give liberally, but never to lend liberally.

That is the gospel. God gave freely his Son; the Son gave freely his life. Thus, we are free of the burden of having to pay a debt that we can never pay. We are free to love our Friend, our Brother, our Lord.