In the same way we point to David as the Author of Psalms we also point to Solomon as the Author of Proverbs. There are multiple authors discovered in both books, but the main authors are David and Solomon.
The book of Proverbs is about principles more than promises.
Proverbs 25:17 Don’t visit your neighbors too often, or you will wear out your welcome. NLT
The principles of Proverbs instruct people in the path of wisdom. As you read Proverbs you observe the personification of wisdom and folly as two women that are juxtaposed against each other to help us see the benefit of applying those principles and the problems that result when we neglect them. This comparison and contrast is demonstrated in the foundational verse from Proverbs in the beginning of the book:
Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction. ESV
The Amplified Bible references the fear of the Lord as an “awe-filled reverence and profound respect”. It simply means we are learning to live in light of eternity with humility before God who was, is and forever will be. He is God and we are not. Our opinions are always secondary to his, even if we disagree! The idea of forming my own conclusions apart from God’s Word is the same idea we find in the Garden, (We can be like God ourselves).
Wisdom then involves humility, first before God and then before others. Much of Proverbs emphasizes learning from others as we apply the combined knowledge of those who have wisdom, experiences and information that can be applied to the unique circumstances of our own lives (1:5, 8). The contrast here is listening attentively or speaking rashly.
Proverbs 12:15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice. ESV
Becoming wise is a process and we are all on a journey just trying to find our way. Wisdom is a journey not a destination. To rehearse Proverbs is to rehearse the perspective of God and this involves everything from getting out of bed in the morning to where to sit when invited to a banquet. We find foundational truths about building strong relationships as well as relational pitfalls to avoid. A flourishing life results when we learn to practice applying God’s wisdom to every circumstance of our lives.
As we journey through Proverbs together for these next few weeks I’d like to ask you to read the corresponding chapter to the date. Today is the 14th so I read Proverbs 14 this morning.
Proverbs 14:26-27 In the fear of the LORD one has strong confidence, and his children will have a refuge. 27 The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, that one may turn away from the snares of death. ESV
Our children will have refuge when we embrace the fear of the Lord and turn away from these common snares of this upside-down world.
Tomorrow as you read Proverbs 15 you’ll read:
Proverbs 15:27 Whoever is greedy for unjust gain troubles his own household, but he who hates bribes will live. ESV
A while back I had a conversation with someone who I’ve always thought were financially wise and I would have believed they were financially wealthy. As we spoke and they shared something of where they are financially in their stage of life, I realized there had been a tremendous lack of application of Biblical financial guidance. I’m continually amazed at how so many believers have drawn conclusions in life more from cultural ideology rather than Biblical theology.
We must read our Bibles and practice doing what it says. It truly is the season for us to be awake and engaged. Practices that are born from principles of Scripture become the legacy of our lives. Again, this is about that Proverbs 14:26 obedience to God’s Word as we fear the Lord and model for our children to see firsthand the legacy of our lives as the expression of God’s Kingdom in the earth!
In this season I want to specifically explore what Proverbs says about financial principles. I believe God wants us all to grow in the area of personal finances as a pursuit of right-side up Kingdom finances in an upside-down debt-riddled world. As you read Proverbs please place a ”$” out to the side by every financial principle you discover. As I’ve been reflecting on these lately in Proverbs I’ve discovered:
Spiritual health is a higher priority than material wealth.
Money does have value and you have to work for it.
Wealth is made as we plan ahead.
Wealth is lost as we live for the moment.
There is a danger to wealth without wisdom.
We are commissioned to justice for the poor and needy.
We find principles for borrowing and lending.
Principles for good business practices
Principles for good money habits.
10.Material wealth is useless on the final day of judgment.
The contrasting viewpoints of the world’s ideology when it comes to your personal finance is destructive to your life and to your legacy so, please let’s pay attention to what God is desiring to reveal to us in this season!
Proverbs 3:9 Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the first fruits of all your produce; 10 then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine. ESV
Giving has always been part of God’s plan for worship and when you submit to this truth materialism is broken off of your life and your legacy is enriched! Include your children in your decision to give. Again we go back to the verse we read earlier:
Proverbs 14:26-27 In the fear of the LORD one has strong confidence, and his children will have a refuge. ESV
Our children will have refuge when we embrace the fear of the Lord and turn away from these common snares of our upside-down world.
A local news agency posted just this past week that the average credit card debt in Oklahoma City is $12,571 with an average interest rate of 24%.
Paying the minimum monthly payment will take 17 years and 4 months to pay this off and your credit card company won’t mind if you take that long because they’re making so much money from you on your interest.
Proverbs has something to say about this. Debt is a four-letter word, and you can conquer this way of thinking if you are willing to begin the process of applying God’s wisdom in the way you steward your personal finances.
According to the Dept of Labor only 2% of the American people will have more than $24,000.00 in the bank when they reach their retirement age while 95% of people will have less than $2,000 in the bank 90% of all divorces filed within the first seven years of marriage are money-related.
GP2RL: Read Proverbs 14-20 this week inviting the Holy Spirit to establish us all in the wisdom of God.
We want to develop a right-side up perspective on finances in an upside-down world. We all come from a family history of how money was made and spent. Proverbs helps us come into an understanding of how God’s family has viewed money throughout the ages when God’s family has paid attention to the family Father and his Word. Proverbs reveals seven financial perspectives.
The Hoarder – money gives me security. The more I have the safer I feel.
The Spender – Money helps me reward myself with splurges because I deserve it.
The Avoider – Money and bills stress me out so I try and ignore finances.
The Misinterpreter – Money is evil and I shouldn’t be working to have it for any reason.
The Manipulator – money buys me influence and control over others.
The Bragger – Money gives me status to flaunt by things I buy to impress others.
The Giver – Using money and loving people rather than using people and loving money.
As you read through this book of wisdom place a “$” beside every verse that speaks of money and let’s grow in wisdom together in this important area of our lives.