Sunday, June 20, 1999 This Week's Lesson:
In this week's lesson, which came from Proverbs 10:15-22, we learned more about the importance of right living and also saw how an individual misses out on God's blessings when he or she forsakes the Lord's ways. This lesson contrasted the differences between right living and wrong, faulty living. Solomon wrote that there is futility in riches. He said that a rich person who relies only on his or her riches will only have those riches. Many times, according to him, they will lack the blessings in life that come from the Lord. In addition, trusting in their riches will often lead them to turmoil and trouble. Proverbs 11:28 says, "He that trusteth in his riches shall fall: but the righteous shall flourish as a branch." Psalms 62:10 says, "Trust not in oppression, and become not vain in robbery: if riches increase, set not your heart upon them." Economic issues should never be the chief motivators in our handling of the important spiritual issues of life. People should strive to live right because the Bible teaches that the person who lives right is and will be blessed. Doing the right thing honors the Lord and allows Him to rejoice in us.
The Book of Genesis says that Abraham was rich. But rather than put his hope in wealth, he leaned upon the Lord. Genesis 15:3-6 says, "And Abram said, Behold, to me thou hast given no seed: and, lo, one born in my house is mine heir. And, behold, the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, This shall not be thine heir; but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir. And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be. And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness." Though the promise was nearly unbelievable, Abraham believed. Psalms 104:24 says, "O LORD, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches." This lesson from Proverbs teaches about the good that comes from doing the right thing. It also teaches that the person who chooses to pursue the less righteous path will fall into sin. Proverbs 10:16 says, "The labour of the righteous tendeth to life: the fruit of the wicked to sin." In Proverbs 10:17-19, Solomon wrote that refusing or balking at the Lord's correction is also the wrong thing to do. He said that telling lies and making uttering slanderous remarks is foolish, and he said that being overly talkative leads a person into sin. To be wise, a person must learn to hold their tongue. The words of a righteous person have great value in God's eyes, but the heart and words of a wicked person do not.
As with most of the Book of Proverbs, this lesson continued on the general theme of living right. As a person acquires wisdom and understanding, the natural byproduct will be a heart that wants to please God and a life that flees from evil and wrongdoing. As you go through the coming week, ask the Holy Spirit to guide your steps and then try to be the exact person that God wants you to be.
Tom of Spotswood"He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life." (I John 5:12)
"And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart." (Jeremiah 29:13)
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