What is Fitting

For Thursday, November 16, 2006
Proverbs 19:10

It is not fitting for a fool to live in luxury,
much less for a slave to rule over princes.

It is not fitting for a fool who has done nothing to earn or deserve wealth to live in wealth. Like a pig with pearls, he will treat his wealth with disdain, not merely indulging in worthless pursuits, but turning what is beautiful and noble into base objects. There is something to appreciating what is of value and beauty. Unlike the tragic figure who appreciates such things, but cannot restrain his vices, the fool neither appreciates what is good nor recognizes his vices.

It is not fitting for a slave to rule over princes, for princes ought to fit their position by truly being noble, wise, and just. They ought not to be subject to manipulation by those under them. This is not a comment on slaves being kept in their places, but rather on those given positions of power to use them wisely and ably.

Indeed, the rise of the fool and the slave is more a comment about the failure of those entrusted with power and influence to use that power for the good, assuring that those who rise to wealth and power are those who earn such reward, and not merely obtain them by luck or deceit.

What is fitting? For us who are princes and princesses by virtue of belonging to Christ to use our position for good. If we have wealth, then to use it responsibly both in terms of helping others and in valuing what is truly admirable and beautiful. If we have power and influence, to use it for the common good, dispensing justice. We are to display the justice and the nobility of our Prince Jesus Christ.

The Liar's Destiny

For Wednesday, November 15, 2006
Proverbs 19:9

A false witness will not go unpunished,
and he who breathes out lies will perish.

This is the same proverb as 19:5, except that it spells out what is alluded to in the previous one which states that the liar will "not escape." He will perish. However much he may try to lie his way out of such a destiny, his lies only serve to secure that destiny. Punishment will come; judgment will take place and the verdict will be death.

The biggest lie of the liar is the one he makes to himself that he will escape such an end. He is the fool who has bought into the lie of the first Liar, Satan - "You will not die." If only he would listen to the words of the one who is Truth - "You shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free."

Got Sense?

For Tuesday, November 14, 2006
Proverbs 19:8

Whoever gets sense loves his own soul;
he who keeps understanding will discover good.

Do you love yourself? Do you want what is good for you? Then pursue wisdom! Seek commonsense. Value understanding and discernment. Get knowledge. For it is through attaining good sense - the skill to discern what is right and true and good - that you will discover and enjoy the good in life.

How do you get sense? You pray for it; you study God's Word; and you observe. You observe what God reveals through natural revelation. You study the knowledge he gives to anyone through his common grace. You learn from the experiences - all the experiences - he takes you through.

And then you keep understanding as you would keep any treasure you may possess. You hold on to it, take pleasure in it, work to protect it and add to it. For the more understanding you have and the greater care you take to keep it, the more useful it becomes in leading you to discover good. Indeed, the more useful it becomes in leading you to the One alone who is Good.

Do you love your soul? Does the eternal destiny of your soul matter? Then all the more seek and keep the understanding of God's wisdom found in the gospel.

The "Poor" Man

For Monday, November 13, 2006
Proverbs 19:7

All a poor man's brothers hate him;
how much more do his friends go far from him!
He pursues them with words,
but does not have them.

If a wealthy generous man has many friends, a poor man with nothing to give has none. They not only do not hang around him; they stay far from him. Of course, such "friends" are neither true friends of the generious man nor the poor man.

These "friends" are the true losers. At best they may gain some material favor. But what they gain with it is a bad reputation for lack of integrity, for not being trustworthy, for selfishness, and other shameful traits. They also miss out on what is of greater value than material prosperity - true friendship. They have no one they can count on, no one for comradeship, no who will be for them in time of need. They will ever experience loneliness; ever live in suspicion of others who share their same worthless values.

And they are made blind to who truly is wealthy and rich. The reason many turned away from Jesus is that he was perceived to be poor. The reason many keep away from him now is that his Body is perceived to be poor. All his Church has to offer is the Gospel, which seems a poor substitute to the "wealth" that Satan and the world have to offer. Such "friends" go far from the poor Gospel to their death.