As we continue through Proverbs 10, we will continue to see the contrast between the child of God and the lost person. There is a reason for this contrast, as we shall shortly see.
Proverbs 10:14-16 Wise men lay up knowledge: but the mouth of the foolish is near destruction. 15 The rich man's wealth is his strong city: the destruction of the poor is their poverty. 16 The labor of the righteous tendeth to life: the fruit of the wicked to sin.
Believers In Christ STORE UP The Right Thing
These three proverbs actually work together. They speak of "storing up". The proverbs are introduced with:
vs 14 Wise men lay up knowledge
Word Study: The word men is not in the original text. It states that the WISE (ḥāḵām), the person who makes it a practice to follow God and His Word, these believers ṣāp̄an (pronounced tsaw-fan') "gather as a treasure, protect as something valuable" knowledge (Biblical knowledge). The wise person treasures knowledge of God and Christ, seeking it out. Jesus described the Kingdom of Heaven – the rule of God though His Word and His Spirit – as a PEARL OF GREAT PRICE:
Matthew 13:45-46 KJV Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: [46] Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.
People put God's Word on the back burner, and treasure all else. Yet the Word of God and the rule of His Spirit through that Word is a hidden treasure for it brings both eternal as well as a better life:
vs 16 The labor of the righteous tendeth to life...
That which you KNOW is that which you DO. Treasuring the Word of God, the wise person DOES what the Lord says. The actions of the wise lead to LIFE, not death. In many churches today, the godless get the reigns of the flock. Recently the Presbyterian Church USA has directed that they will no longer ordain anyone who does not affirm the LGBTQ+ lifestyle. The evil have become elders in that Church, and are demanding that others – in order to become elders – affirm the same evil. Their actions will not lead to life, but to death. "The labor of the righteous tendeth to life". Jesus put it this way:
Matthew 13:52 Then said {Jesus} unto them, Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old.
In Jesus' day the SCRIBES were those who wrote and re-wrote the Scripture so that others could read and enjoy it. Through repetition the Scribes had memorized vast portions of Scripture. They knew what the Bible said – but did not understand its intent. The Lord gave us the Bible to foster and grow the Kingdom of God – the Kingdom of Heaven on the earth. The intent of the Word of God properly applied is to bring us closer to God now, and into God's Heaven in eternity.
The Word of God supplants the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. It directs us how to live the way GOD created us to live.
Those who do not heed the Word of God and His Spirit are not led to life, but to death.
Vs 14 the mouth of the foolish is near destruction
Word Study"NEAR DESTRUCTION" is the Hebrew qārôḇ mᵊḥitâ, "the neighbor of terror or ruin, the kin of dissolution". What the Godless (the "fool", Psalm 14:1; 53:1) have stored in their souls is more godlessness, more darkness. The focus of the believer in Christ is "it is written". These are the words of life.
Matthew 6:21-23 KJV - For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. [22] The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. [23] But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great [is] that darkness!
What you are regularly focused on – what your mind's eye is dwelling on – will effect your whole body. The fruit of your body will be death, if you mind's eye is focused not on God's Word but on cultural and human tradition.
Vs 15 The rich man's wealth is his strong city
The rich person cares little for the treasures of God's Word, but they LOVE MONEY. The Bible tells us that (1 Timothy 6:10) "the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows". Money itself is not evil, but it is a tool. But when money is LOVED, those who do so have little care for others. This is why the rich are often guilty of "destruction of the poor". They take advantage of those who have little, robbing them of their funds to fill their accounts with money. Yet the destruction they bring on the poor will one day be "THEIR POVERTY". I am reminded of the story that our Lord Jesus told of a beggar named Lazarus, and an unnamed rich man (Luke 16:20-31). The rich man had little care for Lazarus, and never noticed him as he begged at his doorway. When Lazarus died, the Bible says:
Luke 16:22-23 KJV - … the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; [23] And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
Though the beggar had nothing in this life but his faith, when he died he was transported to the riches of God's Paradise. But the rich man who helped keep Lazarus in suffering, his money did not go with him after death. His riches became his poverty – his loss. The Bible tells us:
Numbers 32:23 … behold, ye have sinned against the Lord: and be sure your sin will find you out.
There will be a payday, someday. The ...
Vvs 16 labor of the righteous tendeth to life: the fruit of the wicked to sin
The unbeliever, rejecting the Word of God, lives in the power and promise of sinful flesh. As a result the wicked seek excuses and reasons to ignore the Word of God.
Those Who Hear The Word, Speak The Word
Proverbs 10:17-21 He is in the way of life that keepeth instruction: but he that refuseth reproof erreth. 18 He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool. 19 In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise. 20 The tongue of the just is as choice silver: the heart of the wicked is little worth. 21 The lips of the righteous feed many: but fools die for want of wisdom.
Those who love God and His Word appreciate the truths they are taught of His Word. "He is in the way of life that keepeth instruction". Those who not only hear but DO God's Word is actually following the "WAY OF LIFE". The righteous use their mouth to teach others "the WAY of salvation" (Acts 16:17), "the WAY of God" (Acts 18:26), "the WAY of peace" (Romans 3:17), "The WAY of righteousness" (2 Peter 2:21). The Christian wants others to find Christ, to come from the Kingdom of Darkness and into the Kingdom of Christ. But ..
vs 18 hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool
Those who promote lies and spread untruths about others are godless, not Christlike. It is a tactic of the devil to slander. In the Book of Revelation John saw the eventual fall of Satan. We read:
Revelation 12:10 (KJV) And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.
It is the nature of Satan to slander, to accuse the children of God. This is why Jesus equated mis-judgment of a brother or sister with damnation. We are to lift one another upwards toward good citizenship in Christ's Kingdom – not to tear one another down. Jesus said:
Matthew 5:21-24 KJV - Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: [22] But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. [23] Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; [24] Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.
Believers in Christ are members of His Kingdom of Light, and we strive to invite others into that Kingdom. We do not tear down a brother or a sister, but realize that God wants us to -
Romans 12:18 … as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
Our Lips Are Tools To Build His Kingdom
Proverbs 10:19 In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.
We have all been guilty of "motor mouth syndrome". We let our tongues run away, speak too quickly, and speak without regard to what God's Word has said. It is always wise to delay in responding to others. When challenged by others, Jesus did not rush to respond, but refrained speaking until He knew the right thing to say. The Bible tells us:
Ecclesiastes 5:2-3 Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few
James 1:19-20 Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God
Proverbs 10:20 The tongue of the just is as choice silver: the heart of the wicked is little worth.
The righteous person controls their tongue, whereas what is in the heart of the wicked is vain, empty. "CHOICE silver" is silver with the DROSS, the impurities, removed. The righteous person's words are worth listening to, whereas the heart of the wicked contains little of value. We are told in:
Ecclesiastes 5:2 … God is in heaven and you are on the earth, therefore let your words be few …
We are to speak God's Word, but let OUR words be few. It is His Word that brings blessing. Believers are to lead others to Christ through God's Scripture.
Proverbs 10:21 The lips of the righteous feed many: but fools die for want of wisdom.
Those who are saved by Grace are stewards of Grace. The Apostle wrote:
1 Peter 4:7-11 KJV - But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. [8] And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. [9] Use hospitality one to another without grudging. [10] As every man hath received the gift, [even so] minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. [11] If any man speak, [let him speak] as the oracles of God; if any man minister, [let him do it] as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
As we have been given Grace, we act as STEWARDS of that Grace. Grace is what God has entrusted us with. When we think of STEWARDSHIP, we think of money, or material things. But God's STEWARDSHIP that He has given us is Grace. When He saves us, He leaves us on this earth to reach others.
The Apostle Paul understood this principle.
When Paul wrote the Church at Ephesus, he wrote:
Ephesians 3:1-2 (ESV) For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles— 2 assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God's grace that was given to me for you
Paul said "The reason I was saved by Grace was FOR YOU EPHESIANS". God always saves us – not for our sake – but for the sake of those around us. When God saved Israel it was not just to bless Israel – though He did – but to FULFILL THE PROMISE He made to Abraham, and to BLESS THE GENTILES through Israel.
We are saved for a greater purpose than just ourselves. We are saved so that we can lead others to the same Grace that saved us.
Paul went on to write:
Ephesians 3:7-11 Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God's grace, which was given me by the working of his power. 8 To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things, 10 so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. 11 This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord
We are saved and brought into Christ's Kingdom so that others might be saved and brought into Christ's Kingdom. The LOST ARE DYING FOR LACK OF WISDOM. They need the Lord.
Proverbs 10:22 The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.
God's Grace makes a life rich, "AND HE ADDS NO SORROW WITH IT". Though we have trials, we who are His never walk alone. God is with us. Though our bodies fail, our souls are eternal, and we now are possessors of everlasting life. When we leave this life, we go to eternity.
Let's take others with us when we go.
May God the Holy Spirit touch us all by His Word!
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