Day 12 | 21-Day Growth Challenge | "The Blessings of Right Living"

Friday, September 10, 2010 Bryan Hudson 11 Comments







SCRIPTURE:
Proverbs 10:1(NLT)
2 Tainted wealth has no lasting value, but right living can save your life.
9 People with integrity walk safely, but those who follow crooked paths will slip and fall.
16 The earnings of the godly enhance their lives, but evil people squander their money on sin.
19 Too much talk leads to sin. Be sensible and keep your mouth shut.
22 The blessing of the Lord makes a person rich, and he adds no sorrow with it.

INSIGHT:
Proverbs Chapter Ten begins with the heading "The Proverbs of Solomon." (v. 1)

A proverb is a maxim or rule of conduct. The word comes from a Hebrew root meaning "to be like" or "parable." (http://www.biblereferenceguide.com/study/proverbs.html) In this chapter, almost every verse is a proverb in itself. The verses shown above were selected for this post. Below are my insights by verse.

Verse 2: We could think of "Tainted wealth" as something like winning the lottery. It is wealth not earned, but gained by games of chance. Interestingly, about one-third of lottery winners end up bankrupt. Some find it necessary to live in secrecy to avoid the onslaught of people requesting money. Many quit working to live off their winnings, while thers find that working helps keep their lives and relationships bearable.

"Right living" helps believers achieve prosperity God's way. According to verse 22, "The blessing of the Lord makes a person rich, and he adds no sorrow with it." I know some believers who have earned their way to great success and wealth God's way. Such persons have been blessed by God to be humble, joyful, and generous. Certainly not the "tainted wealth" that lacks true value.

Verse 16: People who embrace God's wisdom are not corrupted by material success, because their foundation and focus is not material, but biblical.

Verse 19: It is important to manage our thoughts so that an abundance of speaking does not result is uttering words we regret. Not speaking is sometimes the best thing we can do.

PRAYER:
"Lord, help me avoid schemes that promise prosperity, but only deliver grief. I choose to trust you and work for those blessings that You desire for my life.

ACTIVATION:
(Use comment section below to share your insights. Record sensitive items in your personal journal. You can login or simply use your first name.)
  1. What 2-3 verses (proverbs) stand out to you and why
  2. What actions will you take today related to this lesson?
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COMMENT SECTION:
Click on "Comments" to read others and add yours afterwards.

11 comments :

  1. 1) Proverbs 9:19 "Too much talk leads to sin...)" stands out to me because when you are talking alot you can not be listening. In order to be teachable you must be able to listen. I have avoided many mistakes because I have learned to be quiet. In my quiet time I am able to hear God speaking.

    Proverbs 9:22" The blessings of the Lord makes a person rich and he adds no sorrow to it." This verse stands out to me because God's richs are so much more than we can conceive of in our minds. He will give us the riches that we are prepared to receive. Often we may want the stuff we can't even handle yet(i.e. finances, relationships and careers/jobs)but even still God desires for us to prosper. The fact of the matter is that God wants to give us the wisdom we need but we have to listen and be faithful to obey his instruction.

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  2. 2)Today I will pay attention to listen well.

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  3. 1.) "Whoever accepts correction is on the way [or path] to life, but whoever avoids correction will lead others away from life [or to death]." Prov. 10:17 NCV

    Having an attitude that is open to correction and being willing to acknowledge when we are wrong is a clear example of a "Path Principal". Wisdom causes us to realize that no one person is always correct about everything. Those who are wise will accept admonishment or criticism when it is 'spoken in truth with love'. But, to hate or not accept correction leads to a path of struggle and dissatisfaction. Further more, an attitude or arrogance will lead to complete ruin, destruction and death.

    2.) I will keep an open mind to notice situations around me. Instead of seeing unfortunate circumstance, I will focus on how I can learn from it. What instruction or warning can I discern from others' choices and consequences.

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  4. The two verses that stand out to me are the ones dealing with tainted wealth and too much talking.

    1) One example of tainted wealth having no lasting value is the wealth of a drug dealer. The unscrupulous way they have obtained their money, as well as the lack of wisdom involved in obtaining it in this manner leads to the money quickly leaving their possession. For instance, the evil company they keep may calculate ways to try and steal their money, an example of which was recently shown on the crime series Body of Evidence, or the same unwise thought patterns that cause them to deal drugs is the same foolish thinking that will cause them to squander their wealth on foolish things.

    2) Too much talking stands out because we often witness those whom do not know how to control their mouth and ultimately say something they should not have. Proverbs 17:28a (NIV) tells us that a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent. Therefore, if an unwise person keeps silent, his or her tongue will not reveal their foolish thoughts. The inability to hold one’s peace could even lead to a loss of freedom. Consider the person whom rashly declares in front of witnesses, “I will make you pay for this,” or “I will kill you for this,” in response to something that someone has done to provoke them to anger. Though these words were just talk, if the person to whom these words were spoken meets a suspicious and untimely demise, the rashly spoken words will incriminate the one who uttered them and possibly land them in the penal system. Thus, we would be wise to heed the advice given in Proverbs 13:3 (NIV) He who guards his lips guards his life, but he who speaks rashly comes to ruin.

    Actions
    I will continue to diligently seek God’s wisdom in order to stay on the path that avoids ruin and leads to life.

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  5. 1. The proverbs that stand out to me and the reason why—
    Verses 2 and 16 and 22 provide a clear contrast of the result of earnings through work and other provisions of the blessing of the Lord with the kind of wealth that is obtained through” get rich quick” methods, scams, or other types of dishonest schemes. These scripture passages and many others in Proverbs and the rest of the word of God clearly warn about what the result will be if one chooses the path of greed (excessive desire for wealth); the media and other sources make public for all to see, hear, and read the results in the lives of other people of gain gotten through tainted wealth; and people themselves experience time and again personal setbacks, yet, many people continue to ignore the warnings and reap the results of “ill gotten gain”, never being able to prosper God’s way.
    The lure of instant gain due to greed causes one to be unwilling to work, plan, and set goals within the means that are available, and to continue experiencing worry, stress, sorrow and regrets which affect soul (mind, will, emotions) and health prosperity. This affects family and other personal life relationships as well as relationship with the Lord.
    2. Actions I will take today—
    With the help of the Lord, I will begin to practice thinking more about what I will say before I speak, and to speak less, because I desire to speak fitting and healing words that bless people.

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  6. 1. Proverbs 21:21NIV He who pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor.
    This proverb speaks to putting first things first. The believer who diligently pursues right standing with God by obeying His principles and loves God and others will live a long and healthy life, have prosperity God's way, and be honored, respected by others.
    Another similar proverb Proverbs 22:4 Humility and the fear of the Lord bring wealth and honor and life.

    2. Proverbs 12:15 -16NIV The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice. A fool shows his annoyance at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult.
    Solomon shows the contrast between wisdom and foolishness in many proverbs. The reader can quickly understand the blessings of exercising godly wisdom and the hardships that result in foolish ways. I like the way Solomon allows the reader to contemplate both options within the same verse or following verses. This contrast makes the reader consider his/her thoughts, desires, decisions and actions.

    2. I will continue to study Proverbs during the 21 day challenge to gain wisdom and understanding.

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  7. 1. Verse 2 and 19: v.(2) reminds me of people who make money thru drugs, gambling, stealing, cheating, etc. Most people who are around such ill-gained wealthy people, only want to be around long enough to get or take what they have, or out of fear in the relationship. There is no respect for the person or admiration for what they do or how they became wealthy. Many people with money and no respect, spend a lot of time and effort wanting the respect of or respect like many who have no money, but love and peace at their side contently. which leads to suicide through lost of self respect in some cases. v.(19)Too much talk leads to sin, be sensible & keep your mouth shut....this reminds me of old sayings I use to hear the older wise people in Mississippi express in a different way..."Any person who talks that much got to have a lie mixed up in there somewhere." another..." Child be quiet,learn not to talk so much, that's why God gave you 2-ears & one mouth, hush..you might learn something". and lastly ..."If you be quiet and listen, people may assume you don't have anything to say, but if you talk all the time, they'll know for sure that you don't have anything to say!" Some people talk too much just to fit-in, others talk for recognition...whatever the reason too much talk, leaves little time to think.
    2. Action taken: I will ask God to help me to continue to think before I speak, it means less apologizing later, and help me to desire the wealth of God which adds meaning and right values to living.

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  8. 1. Vs 9 NKJ says, "He who walks with intergity walks securely, but he who perverts his ways will become known.", How true, we have only to pick up the daily news, or tune in the TV, or internet to be confronted with scandals of people whose interigity is being questioned.People who lack intergity and resort to evil to gain wealth and position.

    VS 19, I can recall times when I've spoken too much and afterwards had regrets. I am learning to think of the impact my words may have on others and to speak only those things that edify. There is an old saying "sticks nd stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me", how untrue. Instead of talking just to be in the know or in the mix, it is best in a lot of conversations to refrain from, "having our say".

    2. I prayed that the Lord will continue to impress upon my heart how to walk in His ways, and that my conduct (the things I say) reflect my relationship to Him and to my brothers and sisters in Christ.

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  9. 1.In the 10th chapter of Proverbs it speaks about the lips, the mouth or the words of the godly.The verses that stand out to me are verses 11, 20 and 21 . They each talk about "the words of the godly".This tells me of the importance of our words as the people of God.
    The words of the godly:
    -are a life-giving fountain
    -are like sterling silver
    -encourages many
    Our words create just as God's words did long ago.
    2.I will remember that my words can and will give life to whatever I speak. Life and death are in the power of the tongue. I can cause myself and others to prosper by my words.
    -Davis

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  10. Integrity is being trustworthy, dependable and honest with mankind. Our example of integrity is the life that JESUS CHRIST lived on earth. A life built on a foundation of truth will stand when everything around you has fallen. Verse 9 "People with integrity walk safely, but those who follow crooked paths will slip and fall".

    The wealth of the wicked is laid up for the Godly according to the word of God. Honest labor bring about lasting wealth without worry and sleepless nights, because we know that the wealth we have is God given. Verse 22 "The blessing of the Lord makes a person rich, and he adds no sorrow with it".

    We will continue to gain wealth God's way with integrity.

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  11. 1.
    -Tainted wealth has no lasting value, but right living can save your life.
    Because it is so easy to caught up in the latest scheme without wisdom
    - Too much talk leads to sin. Be sensible and keep your mouth shut.
    Because your mouth can get you in so much trouble if you do not use wisdom.

    2. I will use wisdom.

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