“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)

“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)

“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) 

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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)

“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)

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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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“The one who blesses others is abundantly blessed; those who help others are helped.” ~~King Solomon

I am thinking how true this is. The more we bless others the more we are blessed. And it is an abundant blessing. More than we could ever imagine. Our mission is to help others. Our Father has sent us into His World (Kingdom) to love everyone we come in contact with every day. That is our job. When we do it in His name, we are helped as well.

May I bless others today. May I be of help.

“The one who blesses others is abundantly blessed; those who help others are helped.” ~~King Solomon (Proverbs 11:25)

“Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout is a beautiful face on an empty head.” ~~King Solomon

God wants us to be wise. He has given us His Holy Spirit. Pursuing beauty at the expense of His wisdom is like …. Well, we get it. No point in it at all.

“Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout is a beautiful face on an empty head.” ~~King Solomon (Proverbs 11:22)

“Bad work gets paid with a bad check; good work gets solid pay.” ~~King Solomon

Our focus for work in God’s world is to work as if we are working for God. That is good work. It gets us solid pay.

“Bad work gets paid with a bad check; good work gets solid pay.” ~~King Solomon (Proverbs 11:18)

“The world of the generous gets larger and larger; the world of the stingy gets smaller and smaller.” ~~King Solomon

Solomon nailed this one dead on. Generosity begets generosity. The more you give the more you like to give. It just gets better and better.

Being stingy gets you nowhere.

“The world of the generous gets larger and larger; the world of the stingy gets smaller and smaller.” ~~King Solomon (Proverbs 11:24)

“Count on this: The wicked won’t get off scot-free, and God’s loyal people will triumph.” ~~King Solomon

Sometimes it seems like doing the right thing is not being rewarded. Solomon reminds us this isn’t true. God is God and there will be a day of judgement. God is the judge. We must trust him. We must be loyal to Him. He will be loyal to us. We will triumph in His power.

We can count on it because we can count on God. End of story.

“Count on this: The wicked won’t get off scot-free, and God’s loyal people will triumph.” ~~King Solomon (Proverbs 11:21)

“Take your stand with God’s loyal community and live, or chase after phantoms of evil and die.” ~~King Solomon

There is a way to live and there is a way to die. Living comes from aligning myself with God and His loyal servants. Dieing comes from a phantom life of evil and their friends. Wisdom knows the difference.

I will take a stand with God’s faithful. That is the way to life. That is the way of Wisdom.

“Take your stand with God’s loyal community and live, or chase after phantoms of evil and die.” ~~King Solomon (Proverbs 11:19)

“Whoever makes deals with strangers is sure to get burned; if you keep a cool head, you’ll avoid rash bargains.” ~~King Solomon

Now here is some good advice. Before doing business, we ought to take some time to get to know the people behind the deal. Who are they? What do they value?

It is not all about the deal.

“Whoever makes deals with strangers is sure to get burned; if you keep a cool head, you’ll avoid rash bargains.” ~~King Solomon (Proverbs 11:15)

Without good direction, people lose their way; the more wise counsel you follow, the better your chances. ~~King Solomon

We all need direction. Our vision is always limited. Having trusted advisors makes a difference.

Who am I listening to? Are they wise?

Without good direction, people lose their way; the more wise counsel you follow, the better your chances. ~~King Solomon (Proverbs 11:14)

“A gadabout gossip can’t be trusted with a secret, but someone of integrity won’t violate a confidence.” ~~King Solomon

Jesus wants us to be people of integrity. Everyone we know needs to be able to trust us completely. It is important in His world that we are cabable of maintaining a confidence. Any other way is not the way of wisdom.

A gadabout gossip can’t be trusted with a secret, but someone of integrity won’t violate a confidence. ~~King Solomon (Proverbs 11:13)

“Mean-spirited slander is heartless; quiet discretion accompanies good sense.” ~~King Solomon

Speaking ill of others, whether it is true or not, is just not God’s way. Jesus summed it up well, Judge not so that you will be not judged yourself.

Wisdom says that it makes good sense to be discrete.

“Mean-spirited slander is heartless; quiet discretion accompanies good sense.” ~~King Solomon (Proverbs 11:12)

 

“When right-living people bless the city, it flourishes; evil talk turns it into a ghost town in no time.” ~~King Solomon (Proverbs 11:11)

We can be a blessing to our cities, towns, states and country. When we are right in God, we can bless and God will honor what we have to say. We have God’s power in us.

“When right-living people bless the city, it flourishes; evil talk turns it into a ghost town in no time.” ~~King Solomon (Proverbs 11:11)

“The loose tongue of the godless spreads destruction; the common sense of the godly preserves them.” ~~King Solomon

The most difficult thing in life to control is our tongue. What we say makes a difference. With God’s Holy Spirit in us we can be wise. Otherwise we spread destruction everytime we speak.

May we speak the common sense of God and be preserved.

“The loose tongue of the godless spreads destruction; the common sense of the godly preserves them.” ~~King Solomon (Proverbs 11:9)

“A good person is saved from much trouble; a bad person runs straight into it.” ~~King Solomon

We are “made good” by Jesus. He alone can do this. Because of that, we are saved from a whole bunch of trouble. Without Jesus, we run smack into to it. No avoiding that.

“A good person is saved from much trouble;  a bad person runs straight into it.” ~~King Solomon (Proverbs 11:8) 

“If good people barely make it, what’s in store for the bad!” ~~King Solomon

Jesus is straight with us. The way is not easy. He says it over and over. Unfortunately, many in the church want us believe otherwise. Solomon knew otherwise as well.

We need to vigilant. We need to follow the narrow way. We need to take up the way of sacrifice. We need to leave everything behind for Jesus, our Messiah.

“If good people barely make it, what’s in store for the bad!” ~~King Solomon (Proverbs 11:31)

“When the wicked die, that’s it—the story’s over, end of hope.” ~~King Solomon

We are a people of hope. We know we are living in a new world under Jesus’ new agreement with God. Not so, however, for everyone else. For them, death is the end of the road.

“When the wicked die, that’s it— the story’s over, end of hope.” ~~King Solomon (Proverbs 11:7)

“Good character is the best insurance; crooks get trapped in their sinful lust.” ~~King Solomon

Good character is important. Doing the right thing, God’s thing, makes all the difference. Solomon’s dad understood that following what God said is important. Solomon learned that from his Dad.

Looking for a reward in this world and the next? Get God’s good character. Get it now.

Good character is the best insurance; crooks get trapped in their sinful lust. ~~King Solomon (Proverbs 11:6)

“Life collapses on loafers; lazybones go hungry.” ~~King Solomon

“Moral character makes for smooth traveling; an evil life is a hard life.” ~~King Solomon (Proverbs 11:5)

My dad always said it is easier to tell the truth than to lie. His logic was that a liar has to remember who he said what to and that is tough to do. Eventually you will get caught. He had a point. He was a wise man.

The easiest life to live is the right life. God gives us the power as a part of His new plan for us. Jesus shows us the way.

“The integrity of the honest keeps them on track; the deviousness of crooks brings them to ruin..” ~~King Solomon

God’s way is the way of integrity. It is core to who He is and it is core to who He wants us to be. The question we ask ourselves is “What does God want me to do?” The answer is the answer of integrity. Anything else leads to our ruin.

“The integrity of the honest keeps them on track; the deviousness of crooks brings them to ruin..” ~~King Solomon (Proverbs 11:3)