12 Jan 2010, Posted by spittingimage in General, No Comments.

Biblical Stewardship through Proverbs

Proverbs 12

¹ Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,
but he who hates correction is stupid.

² A good man obtains favor from the LORD,
but the LORD condemns a crafty man.

³ A man cannot be established through wickedness,
but the righteous cannot be uprooted.

⁴ A wife of noble character is her husband's crown,
but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones.

⁵ The plans of the righteous are just,
but the advice of the wicked is deceitful.

⁶ The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood,
but the speech of the upright rescues them.

⁷ Wicked men are overthrown and are no more,
but the house of the righteous stands firm.

⁸ A man is praised according to his wisdom,
but men with warped minds are despised.

⁹ Better to be a nobody and yet have a servant
than pretend to be somebody and have no food.

¹⁰ A righteous man cares for the needs of his animal,
but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel.

¹¹ He who works his land will have abundant food,
but he who chases fantasies lacks judgment.

¹² The wicked desire the plunder of evil men,
but the root of the righteous flourishes.

¹³ An evil man is trapped by his sinful talk,
but a righteous man escapes trouble.

¹⁴ From the fruit of his lips a man is filled with good things
as surely as the work of his hands rewards him.

¹⁵ The way of a fool seems right to him,
but a wise man listens to advice.

¹⁶ A fool shows his annoyance at once,
but a prudent man overlooks an insult.

¹⁷ A truthful witness gives honest testimony,
but a false witness tells lies.

¹⁸ Reckless words pierce like a sword,
but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

¹⁹ Truthful lips endure forever,
but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.

²⁰ There is deceit in the hearts of those who plot evil,
but joy for those who promote peace.

²¹ No harm befalls the righteous,
but the wicked have their fill of trouble.

²² The LORD detests lying lips,
but he delights in men who are truthful.

²³ A prudent man keeps his knowledge to himself,
but the heart of fools blurts out folly.

²⁴ Diligent hands will rule,
but laziness ends in slave labor.

²⁵ An anxious heart weighs a man down,
but a kind word cheers him up.

²⁶ A righteous man is cautious in friendship, ^[a]
but the way of the wicked leads them astray.

²⁷ The lazy man does not roast ^[b] his game,
but the diligent man prizes his possessions.

²⁸ In the way of righteousness there is life;
along that path is immortality.

MY NOTES: 1. If you
love the Lord follow his commands and be obedient because knowing God is knowledge. 2 When we follow his precepts we find favor
in God. 3 When we live in obedience and follow his ways, then we cannot be
uprooted. 5 Our plans, in God’s will, will be just. 6 When we guard out
tongues, like the Book of James says, then we can avoid trouble. 7 When we are
walking with God and he is moving in us then our house (our body is our temple)
will stand firm (Philippians 1:27). 9 Being a nobody, in this context, really
means complete contentment with where we are in life and more especially who we
are in God (Philippians 4:12B-13). 11
Nothing in this life is for free except salvation – we have to work for our
food and we will have our daily bread. 13
In this life we will face trials and tribulations as sons of God, but God will
provide a way for us to avoid trouble.
14 Let your speech edify God and love others and let your hands (your
work) bless others and you too will be blessed.
15 When we listen to others, who are wise or well experienced, then we
are wise for the better 16 Be slow to speak, quick to listen and especially
overlook any insults and you will be the better for it. 18 When we are slow to speak, our words can
bring healing to any situation 22 God delights in those who tell the truth 25
Do not worry (Mathew 6) be kind to others and love your number building him up
and encouraging, urging and comforting him in times of need. 28 Following God’s way is the ONLY WAY – He is
the way, the truth and the life…