Proverbs 23

The parts in Proverbs 23 that spoke to me were all about keeping modest wealth. "Do not wear yourself out to get rich; have the wisdom to show restraint. Cast but a glance at riches and they are surely gone. Do not move an ancient boundary stone or encroach on the fields of the fatherless." (verses 4, 5, 10) I think this is all talking about priorities in life, what really comes first, and how we go about getting those things. I can make two mistakes in this regard, I can have the wrong order to my priorities and/or I can work toward the priorities in the wrong ways. In clear statements, I am told not to work harder and harder just to get rich. There may be a day where the Lord desires that I give extra effort, but that will be His calling and not my decision just to gain more wealth. Should I choose to work harder and harder for money would mean that I am not trusting in God for His provisions over my life. The scripture then says to seek wisdom in order to show restraint. This implies to me that there will be some times where it is necessary to work harder and then it is up to me to develop judgement to know when to say stop. Secondly, then, I think verse 10 is talking about how I am supposed to go about achievements in life. So, assuming that my purposes are ordaind and that I am showing proper restraint, there are reasonable boudaries that are already established for proper behavior. It is not honorable to expand my realm at the expense of someone else. Again, expansion comes from God and if that is His desire, then He will provide that in His own ways. I read the scripture and time and again hear the same theme, although said many ways..."Play by the rules". I interpret this first to be God's rules, and then to be the rules of this world. It is not my place to judge the rules set by those in authority over me and so I must abide. In this case, but more and more in all things, I start to use that phrase as a guiding light. Am I playing by the rules? First His, and then the worlds. I'm guided by morality, of course, but I think I can fear and honor God the best when I really seek to "play by the rules". -Bob

Proverbs 22

"Rich and poor have this in common, the Lord is maker of them all... Do not exploit the poor because they are poor and do not crush the needy in court, for the Lord will take up their case and will plunder those who plunder them... A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor." (verses 2, 22, 23, 8) As with the last chapter I see an emphasis on how God wants us to treat the poor. The commands here are that no matter our financial position, we are equals with everyone else, and that we must remember this in our dealings so that we do not exploit another's need. He backs this up by saying that He will defend the poor. And finally, it is good to share with those that have less because as with everything, God is watching. I believe that when we share with others to help give them their basic needs, that we are fulfilling the intents of God and that He is pleased with these kinds of works. For Susan and I, we are just now going to start what I estimate as a fairly comfortable life (Praise God!). We have a house and two stable jobs, and as we start living together, our expenses will actually drop as we no longer have to pay 2 cable, electric, water, etc. bills. Susan and I have already discussed at length the roles that each one of us is planning to take as we are married. One of my main roles is the home finances. So I know that as we find a few extra dollars every month, that it also gives me extra responsibility to listen to God when He might be asking me to do something for His purposes with that money. I'm praying for the Lord to open my heart and eyes to the things that He wants me to see. This way, I don't fail in fiscal responsibility to Him because of my own blindness.