Imitation Treasure
“Wealth makes many “friends”; poverty drives them all away.” Proverbs 19:4 NLT I enjoy watching those shows where they are searching for lost or sunken treasures. There are many movies and reality programs with the theme of finding something rare or valuable. They go through enormous expense and effort to find some valuable treasures. Occasionally, especially on […]
Consequences of Foolishness
“People ruin their lives by their own foolishness and then are angry at the Lord.” Proverbs 19:3 NLT We live in a culture that wants to shift blame. The headlines tell us about foolish, sinful, or evil behavior followed by an explanation or rationale behind the action. It seems like personal responsibility is being replaced with […]
Nurturing a Joyful Heart
Nurturing a Joyful Heart “A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” Proverbs 17:22 ESV There are a few unique moments in our lives when we can experience joy and sadness at the same time. I think of those transitionary moments of when a child goes to school for the […]
Truth and Justice
Truth and Justice “He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous are both alike an abomination to the Lord.” Proverbs 17:15 ESV When I was a boy invariably there were summer evenings that would include a game of “cops and robbers” in the neighborhood. In those days in the early 70’s, to be […]
Don’t Open the Floodgate
Don’t Open the Floodgate! “Starting a quarrel is like opening a floodgate, so stop before a dispute breaks out.” Proverbs 17:14 NLT I don’t know about you, but I have never opened a floodgates. I have however, watched what happened in Houston a couple of years back when they did just that. Certainly not intended, but the […]
Let it Go
Let it Go “He who covers and forgives an offense seeks love, But he who repeats or gossips about a matter separates intimate friends.” Proverbs 17:9 AMP I don’t know about you, but I have done some pretty foolish things in my life. I have made mistakes and I have done and said things that have […]
When You See the Poor
When You See the Poor “Whoever mocks the poor insults his Maker; he who is glad at calamity will not go unpunished.” Proverbs 17:5 ESV Mock the poor? Glad at calamity? Who would do such things? Those who look down on others. Those who might even consider themselves better, not just more fortunate, somehow. […]
Exposure Warning
Exposure Warning! “An evildoer listens to wicked lips, and a liar gives ear to a mischievous tongue.” Proverbs 17:4 ESV We might come to a passage like the one we read this week, and think; (whether in gratitude or pride), “that is them, not me”. Or we might linger on the verse a little longer and consider the […]
The Wise Servant
The Wise Servant A Walk Through Proverbs A servant who deals wisely will rule over a son who acts shamefully and will share the inheritance as one of the brothers. Proverbs 17:2 ESV There are a few stories of those who are born into fortunate families that are appreciative of what they have been […]
A Dry Morsel is Better
A Dry Morsel is Better “Better is a dry morsel with quiet than a house full of feasting with strife.” Proverbs 17:1 ESV A dry morsel and quiet. One is for the stomach, the other for the soul. Which is better? A stomach satisfied with a dry morsel in a quiet house, or a stomach […]
