“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)

“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)

“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) 

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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)

“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)

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“God won’t starve an honest soul, but he frustrates the appetites of the wicked.” ~~King Solomon

God wants us to be honest in our core. He will give us wisdom. He will take care of us. We don’t have to be frustrated like others.

King Solomon understood this. All he really wanted was wisdom. God gave it to him in droves.

The challenge is to not live the frustrated life out of sync with God. Line up with what He wants. Live honestly with Him. The promise is we won’t starve in our soul. Our food is not of this world but it is the Word of God.

“God won’t starve an honest soul, but he frustrates the appetites of the wicked.” ~~King Solomon (Proverbs 10:3 The Message)

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“Ill-gotten gain gets you nowhere; an honest life is immortal.” ~~King Solomon

I saw a news show recently where they spent a significant amount of time essentially making the case that every one is dishonest and cheats. It was pretty depressing.

God wants us to be (live) honest. Jesus makes the same challenge. This focus is huge for us. It is core to having a heart after God because God is truth.

“Ill-gotten gain gets you nowhere; an honest life is immortal.” ~~King Solomon (Proverbs 10:2)

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“Wise son, glad father; stupid son, sad mother.” ~~King Solomon

Wisdom is so important. When Solomon was asked by God what he wanted, he responded wisdom. To know and understand God’s world (Kingdom) is essential. It makes our parents so very happy.

Stupidity is another thing altogether. Not knowing what God wants makes our families very sad.

May we all choose wisdom.

“Wise son, glad father; stupid son, sad mother.” ~~King Solomon (Proverbs 10:1)

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“A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor.” ~~King Solomon

Generosity is interesting. It brings a blessing back to me. That blessing takes many forms I think. The greatest is the joy of doing what our Father desires. He says to give and obedience is it’s own form of blessing.

The focus of generosity should be on the poor. Solomon challenges us to have a mission with our generosity. Here, we have lots of opportunity for sure.

GOD is generous. He is caring and in a good mood. Always.

A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor. ~~King Solomon Proverbs 22:9

 

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“A good life is a fruit-bearing tree; a violent life destroys souls.” ~~King Solomon

An apricot and its cross section (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

When we live the life God has intended for us, it is like a tree that gives us delicious fruit. There is nothing like fresh fruit. We all love it. I was at the market yesterday and just had to get some figs and apricots.

That is in contrast to a life of violence. I think this is not just physical. Anything opposite of doing what GOD wants us too is violence against GOD and it destroys our very souls.

Thank GOD for the Holy Spirit of GOD that gives us the power to live the resurrected life of Jesus. Now that is Good News.

“A good life is a fruit-bearing tree; a violent life destroys souls.” ~~King Solomon (Proverbs 11:30)

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