The Stiffened Neck

For Monday, February 11, 2008
Proverbs 29:1

He who is often reproved, yet stiffens his neck,
will suddenly be broken beyond healing.



It is the stiffening that produces the break. As painful as reproof may be, it should make the person stronger; it should condition the spirit and train the mind, molding the individual to be a person of perseverance and wisdom. If received properly, reproof will shape a mind that is foolish and give that mind discernment; it will turn a rebellious spirit into one that blesses and builds up others. Reproof is healing.

Stiffening - resisting reproof - is destructive. Like the arm that stiffens and refuses the healing medicine of a doctor's syringe, so the stiffening person of reproof denies what is for his good. Like the neck that stiffens against pressure, it will suddenly break. The very reproof intended to heal can be made destructive. Or more likely, the rebellious spirit learns to become deaf to it and deny its healing intention. He trains himself so well to be deaf that he misses the warnings leading to his sudden calamity.

Reproof is never pleasant to receive. But if we will learn to learn from it, however it may be painful to take, then it will have the effect that God intends. For he does intend that every experience, every reproof, regardless of how it comes and from whom, to make us stronger, to make us wiser, to sanctify us for godliness. Will we bend and receive such reproof or will we stiffen?

The Wicked vs the Righteous Reign

For Thursday, February 7, 2008
Proverbs 28:28

When the wicked rise, people hide themselves,
but when they perish, the righteous increase.

When the wicked rise to power, people think in terms of protecting themselves. They hide; they take cover; they try not to draw attention to themselves, for they know that the wicked delight in mischief. The wicked think first if a person will benefit them; if not, then the wicked will be entertained by hurting that person. The wicked also are obsessed with looking for rivals. Anyone who gives the impression of being a rival is destroyed.

Interestingly, the proverb does not then give an exact comparison of what happens when the wicked perish. Instead of saying that people come out of hiding, it speaks of the righteous increasing. The argument is thus: Either the wicked or the righteous take power. As one rises, so the other must descrease. They cannot exist together. As the wicked perish, so the righteous increase, and so the people do come back out and flourish. They know that the righteous think first about the welfare of others. They know that the entertainment of the righteous is to see others happy. The righteous are obsessed with seeing that justice takes place.

What a difference in the atmosphere by which one lives. Under the wicked, the atmosphere is that of fear and distrust. Under the righteous, it is of peace and harmony. All the reason then to work for the rule of the righteous and to oppose the wicked, whether this be in the arena of government or business or other. All the reason then to give glory to our righteous King who reigns over us. All the reason to remember the hope we have of living in his everlasting kingdom to come.

Giving to the Poor

For Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Proverbs 28:27

Whoever gives to the poor will not want,
but he who hides his eyes will get many a curse.


Giving to the poor seems a bad investment if your concern is to grow wealth or maintain your present financial status. The poor cannot return money with interest, and indeed are likely not to return money at all. They have no influence with powerful or wealthy men who could befriend you because of your generosity. The money given to them or for them does not return. And so it seems preferable to avoid noticing them. Let others help.

But this proverb makes a guarantee - provision for the giver and curses for the miser. On what basis can this be made? On the basis of the guarantee of God. It is God who watches over the poor; God who provides. Indeed, it is God who provides for everyone - both rich and poor. This is what the "haves" fail to recognize. We have money because our Father has provided for us, not because we were clever enough or hard-working enough to obtain it. Unforeseen circumstances have ruined the fortune of many gifted persons. And they have made the fortune of many not expecting such a boon.

It is true that wisdom and hard work will typically lead to security, and that folly and idleness to poverty. But it is also true that circumstances play a critical role. God is in charge of those circumstances. And it is he who gives wisdom, who gives strength and the gifts to do well. As he gives, so he can take back. Understand that we are all poor of ourselves. We have what we have because God gives to us; he can just as easily "hide his eyes" toward us, leaving us destitute and without hope. He wants us, though, to have his spirit of generosity and to leave the business of worrying about our future to him. Seek first the kingdom, which is about the generosity of the gospel, and everything you need will be added. Trust your heavenly Father. That is what giving to the poor is really about - trusting your Father and loving with the heart by which he loves.

Of Trust and Wisdom

For Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Proverbs 28:26

Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool,
but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered.

The proverb does not equate trusting in one's own mind with wisdom. Then in whom or what should we trust? Are we not to think for ourselves? We are to develop the ability to do our own thinking, but that very skill entails listening to others and knowing who to trust. The wise person listens to the counsel of others, especially those whom he knows to be knowledgeable and discerning. He has to make his own decision, but he does so in the context of having listened well.
More to the point for Christians is that the wise person will listen carefully to God's Word. It is Scripture that he trusts foremost.

This is all in direct contrast to the modern perspective that one ought to follow one's heart irregardless of what others are saying or is acceptable teaching passed down. Such a perspective is foolish for it leads a person to trust in his small knowledge and in his feelings, both of which are insufficient and even dangerous.

Wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord, trusting God to know what is best. It grows with reliance on one's fellow man, both past and present, to share knowledge and wisdom. Trusting God and cooperating with one's neighbor will provide deliverance through the trials and challenges of life. To trust only in one's self is the way of folly that leads to downfall.

Greediness vs Trust

For Monday, February 4, 2008
Proverbs 28:25

A greedy man stirs up strife,
but the one who trusts in the Lord will be enriched.

Note the contrast - greediness versus trusting in the Lord. The greedy man lacks trust. He does not trust God to provide, but more to the point, he does not trust God to give him everything he desires. Perhaps God does provide the necessities, but he wants more. He feels he is entitled to more. And he wants it now. He is impatient with the teaching that wealth should be accumulated by patient hard work and steady saving.

So what does he do? He acts rashly and foolishly. He goes after wild schemes. He resorts to unethical means to obtain his ends. He lies, he steals. He imposes on others. He mistrusts others, seeing his neighbor as a competitor or obstacles to his quest after more things and money. Thus, he stirs up strife.

But the one who trusts in the Lord to provide what he needs and what is good for him so as to be happy and content, such a person will be enriched. He will be patient and content in his labor, thus over time enriching himself financially. He will win friends since he is free to think of their welfare and not be competing against them. He will receive the blessing of the Lord who shows favor to those who glorify him by trusting in him.