Inheritance

For Friday, October 28, 2005
Proverbs 13:22

A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children,
but the sinner's wealth is laid up for the righteous.

Much could be said about what the inheritance of a good man entails. Foremost is leaving a legacy of faith in Christ and of walking in righteousness. But we should not be quick to lay aside the subject of money. Indeed, Christians are quick to do so, somehow disconnecting a righteous life from how money is handled. There are many Christians devoted to ministry and yet leave their families in a destitute state. Christian finanical consultant Ron Blue tells of a minister who only served small churches until his retirement; and yet he had a million dollars in assets. How? By spending less than he took in and saving the remainder bit by bit.

This proverb is not teaching that you must leave lots of money for your grandchildren when you die. It is, however, teaching that goodness includes handling money wisely. The sinner's wealth ends up in the hands of the righteous, not because they take it from him, but because he is foolish with his money. His pride and greed lead him to make foolish choices.

How are your finances? Are they in order? If you are struggling in debt, is the reason because you do not earn enough or because you are not wise with what you have?

Lord, may I be wise and godly in the way I use the money you provide, so that I might leave an inheritance not merely of money, but of wisdom and faith. Amen.

Disaster and Reward

For Thursday, October 27, 2005
Proverbs 13:21

Disaster pursues sinners,
but the righteous are rewarded with good.

Sinners do not merely flirt with danger; they place targets on their back to make sure danger does not miss the mark. Furthermore, they do not see that disaster is already upon them. They are unaware of the seeds of destruction they have sown: a marriage destroyed before they know it; a job loss before the notice has come; friends who have unknowingly become enemies. They are strolling in the park, unaware that an army of destruction is bearing down on them. The righteous court reward; their very behavior invites positive responses from the people around them. Their behavior naturally keeps them away from sinful activities that lead into disaster.

But the worldview of the proverb makes its strong statement about disaster and reward in the light of God serving as judge. The righteous Judge will punish the wicked and reward the righteous. This would be frightening news to us if we did not know the gospel, which reveals Christ’s atoning work whereby he exchanged his righteousness with us and received our sin, thus bearing our punishment and giving us his reward.

Let us not be filled with anger towards our neighbors who offend us and engage in sin. They are getting away with nothing. All the more pray for God’s mercy to awaken them to their sin and know Christ.

Lord, I pray for my neighbors who choose sin. Use me to show the blessedness of living a righteous life. Show the merciful love of Christ through me today, that they may awaken to their condition and seek the salvation that you have given me. Amen

Wise Companionship

For Wednesday, October 26, 2005
Proverbs 13:20

Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise,
but the companion of fools will suffer harm.

I have heard stories of individuals who were foolish in their behavior and beliefs, yet fell into friendships with mature, godly believers and came to a strong faith that turned them around. I've also heard stories of those who professed Christ and seemed mature, yet came into the circle of unbelievers and/or foolish people and then fell away from the faith and/or engaged in foolish behavior.

Who are the wise with whom you associate? Is there a wise person whom you look to for counsel? Are there wise persons whom you emulate? Think about that right now. Can you name companions who are godly, wise persons who counsel and behavior are to be trusted? What of foolish companions? Do you have companions who get into trouble; who act immaturely; who have yet to exhibit mature faith? Your companions will infect you with either wisdom or folly.

Depending upon your circumstances, you may need to proactively seek out wise companions. We cannot control who all our companions will be at work, family, school, and neighborhood. But we can control whom we will look to for counsel and example. You may need to call on the telephone, email on the computer, or invite to your home wise companions. But seek them out.

Meanwhile, you always have your wise Lord, and you may share in his vast wisdom through the study of his Word and through prayer. Seek after the Lord's wisdom. Whoever you seek counsel from and emulate, let it be one who is walking in the path of God.

Lord, may I follow Christ above all else. Give me wisdom to recognize the wise, and give me strength and courage to follow in their steps. Amen.

Good Desire

For Tuesday, October 25, 2005
Proverbs 13:19

A desire fulfilled is sweet to the soul,
but to turn away from evil is an abomination to fools.

The key to this proverb is knowing should be our desire. John Piper's book, Desiring God, has seem misguided, even heretical, to some because of his strong emphasis on fulfilling desire. His argument rests, however, on having right desires, namely the enjoyment of God. We are often left feeling unfullfilled, not because others have prevented us from obtaining our desires, but because we are, as C. S. Lewis notes, content with too little. We think temporal objects will fulfill us - a vacation, good food, sex, entertainment. But they cannot replace love, holy fear, peace with God, redemption. They cannot replace the invisible eternal, and they are only as satisfying as they give a taste of the eternal rest, eternal banquet, eternal joy that will someday be ours.

It is good to desire, and the more that desire is squared with eternal pleasure in Christ, the more often it will be fulfilled even as it waits for its complete fulfillment. This was brought home to me in attending the funeral of a Christian man and taking pleasure in the words spoken of his faith, in the Scripture read, and the hymns sung. Why is a Christian funeral actually a joyful experience and the secular funeral empty even when the life of the decease is being "celebrated"? Because desire is fulfilled not in the praise of man but in the praise of God. It may be pleasurable to celebrate a person; but it is all the more pleasurable when that celebration leads to glorifying God through Jesus Christ.

As to the latter statement of the proverb. It reminds me of Jim Elliot's famous statement: "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose."

Lord, let me find my pleasure in you this day. You have created this day that I might glorify and enjoy you. May I glorify you by enjoying you today. Amen.

True Honor

For Monday, October 24, 2005
Proverbs 13:18

Poverty and disgrace come to him who ignores instruction,
but whoever heeds reproof is honored.

The downfall of the person who ignores instruction come about for two reasons. One, he remains an ignorant person. Those with knowledge will pass him by in competition. His ignorance will expose him to danger and traps. It will lead him along the wrong paths. Two, he loses respect before others. Only the fool ignores instruction, and foolishness is highly visible. Others will mock him and delight in his failure.

Conversely, the person who heeds instruction and reproof will be honored for the same reasons. By heeding reproof, he grows in knowledge and skill, thus gaining advantage over others who are lazy or foolish. He is alos honored by others. It is the wise who prize knowledge and are humble enough to receive it; and wisdom is also visible, especially in the eyes of others who are wise.

If you want to win respect before others, then prove yourself to be a good student. And if you seek commendation from God, then humble yourself and learn from all experiences he grants you. Study his Word; learn from his servants, both those who are learned in the Scriptures and from the lowest of his servants. Seek God's wisdom. Pray for it. Gladly receive correction.

Lord, may I be a good student today. May I learn from today's experiences that I may grow in obedience and in grace. May I be willing to learn from anyone and through any experience, whether good or bad. And may I be reproofed, corrected, and trained in righteousness by your Word (cf. 2 Timothy 3:16).