“The stuck-up fall flat on their faces, but down-to-earth people stand firm.” ~~King Solomon

Ah, now there we go. Down to earth people. We all seem to admire them. But is that said of me? Am I down to earth?

May it be so.

“The stuck-up fall flat on their faces, but down-to-earth people stand firm.” ~~King Solomon (Proverbs 11:2 The Message)

“God hates cheating in the marketplace; he loves it when business is aboveboard.” ~~King Solomon

When it comes to business, we need to always be aboveboard and true to our word. We should always see our approach as one that Jesus would love and be proud of. I remember that one day Jesus chased the business people out of the temple (church) because of their dishonest approach.

May all I do in my business approach be aboveboard.

^“God hates cheating in the marketplace; he loves it when business is aboveboard.” ~~King Solomon (Proverbs 11:1)

“When you’re kind to others, you help yourself; when you’re cruel to others, you hurt yourself.” ~~King Solomon

Who do we think we are hurting? Cruelty is intended to hurt someone else. It actually backfires and hurts us. The reverse is also very true. Being kind to others helps me build the right God-like values in my life.

Jesus knew this. Solomon knew this. Kindness is the cornerstone of a loving life.

“When you’re kind to others, you help yourself; when you’re cruel to others, you hurt yourself.” ~~King Solomon (Proverbs 11:17)

“A thick bankroll is no help when life falls apart, but a principled life can stand up to the worst..” ~~King Solomon

We think that money will save us. If we get in a tight spot, we know we can whip out our credit cards. God was willing to  give King Solomon anything he wanted. He asked for wisdom.

Despite his wealth as King, he knew that money isn’t the answer. God is the answer. He will see us through when everything falls apart. It is interesting that on our money it says “In God we trust”. Amen.

“A thick bankroll is no help when life falls apart, but a principled life can stand up to the worst..” ~~King Solomon (Proverbs 11:4)

Do I have a passion for God’s wisdom?

How do we get wisdom? From the world? From reading books? By watching TED?

Wisdom comes from God and it is up to us to let Him train us. He is in a good mood and wants to help us. If we passionately seek what it is He wants in any given situation, He will guide us.

May we have a passion for His wisdom.

“Be blessed, God; train me in your ways of wise living.” ~~King David (Psalm 119:12 The Message) 

“Blessings accrue on a good and honest life, but the mouth of the wicked is a dark cave of abuse.” ~~King Solomon

It seems conventional wisdom is that there is no reward for a good and honest life.  There is the eternal question of why bad things happen to good people.

I think this is a matter of the heart. Jesus challenges us to see life as a matter of what is in our heart and not the physical world. Jesus says we will be blessed when we mourn. The cause of the mourning is not seen as a good thing. It is about getting our heart right. Blessings flow from that.

“Blessings accrue on a good and honest life, but the mouth of the wicked is a dark cave of abuse.” ~~King Solomon (Proverbs 10:6)

“I ponder every morsel of wisdom from you, I attentively watch how you’ve done it.” ~~King David

God says a lot. He has given us lots to think about. His wisdom is the key to our life, every minute of every day. When we need to know how to do something, just consider how God does it. That is what to pay attention to.

We need to give more time to thinking about God’s wisdom. It nourishes our souls to do so.

May I ponder every bit of God’s wisdom.

“I ponder every morsel of wisdom from you, I attentively watch how you’ve done it.” ~~King David (Psalm 119:14 The Message) 

“A life devoted to things is a dead life, a stump; a God-shaped life is a flourishing tree.” ~~King Solomon

King Solomon challenges us to see life as God wants it lived. It is not about the outside, how we look, what we wear or what we eat. It is a dead life. Imagine a stump. It sometimes looks OK but just kick it. It evaporates into dust.

We want to have a fruitful life. Let God shape it and that is the key.

“A life devoted to things is a dead life, a stump; a God-shaped life is a flourishing tree.” ~~King Solomon (Proverbs 11:28)

“Make hay while the sun shines—that’s smart; go fishing during harvest—that’s stupid.” ~~King Solomon

We know this to be true but being disciplined at it can be the challenge. There is a time to harvest and there is a time to fish. Doing them at the right time is “work – life balance”.

Wisdom from God is important. We don’t want to be stupid.

“Make hay while the sun shines—that’s smart; go fishing during harvest—that’s stupid.” ~~King Solomon (Proverbs 10:5)

“God is solid backing to a well-lived life, but he calls into question a shabby performance.” ~~King Solomon

There is no “coasting along” in God’s world. He has given us talents. He expects us to live the life He has given us. He expects us to put our all into everything we do for him. In God’s world, a shabby performance brings shabby rewards.

May I give God my all today. May I live my life well.

“God is solid backing to a well-lived life, but he calls into question a shabby performance.” ~~King Solomon (Proverbs 10:29) 

Related articles

• Where Do You Go To Find Wisdom? (myviewandopinion.wordpress.com)

The mouth of a good person is a deep, life-giving well, but the mouth of the wicked is a dark cave of abuse.” ~~King Solomon

When we follow God, doing what He wants us to do, our words are His words. His words give life. Being plugged into Him gives us wisdom.

Not so much with the wicked. It is easy to see where abuse comes from. Not from God and not from the wise.

May we listen to God, speak His words, and give life.

“The mouth of a good person is a deep, life-giving well, but the mouth of the wicked is a dark cave of abuse.” ~~King Solomon (Proverbs 10:11 The Message)

“Hatred starts fights, but love pulls a quilt over the bickering.” ~~King Solomon (Proverbs 10:12)

Fighting too much? Arguing too often? What can I do?

God calls us to love. Focus on loving the way God wants us to. He shows us the way. That is His wisdom.

“Hatred starts fights, but love pulls a quilt over the bickering.” ~~King Solomon (Proverbs 10:12)

“Sloth makes you poor; diligence brings wealth.” ~~King Solomon

There is nothing like work. It is, in fact, honorable to work. It brings us close to God. It brings us wealth.

Not working is not a good thing it all. There is not honor in being lazy.

“Sloth makes you poor; diligence brings wealth.” ~~King Solomon (Proverbs 10:4)

Related articles

• Solomon Chooses Wisely (minofeducation.wordpress.com)
• Solomon Follows Through (minofeducation.wordpress.com)
• Solomon (biblehero.wordpress.com)