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Pathways Through Proverbs
Daily Devotional
February 28, 2008
Today's Reading - Proverbs 28
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Following Scripture Verses
Proverbs Chapter 28
- The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.
- For the transgression of a land many are the princes thereof: but by a man of understanding and knowledge the state thereof shall be prolonged.
- A poor man that oppresseth the poor is like a sweeping rain which leaveth no food.
- They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend with them.
- Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the LORD understand all things.
- Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich.
- Whoso keepeth the law is a wise son: but he that is a companion of riotous men shameth his father.
- He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor.
- He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.
- Whoso causeth the righteous to go astray in an evil way, he shall fall himself into his own pit: but the upright shall have good things in possession.
- The rich man is wise in his own conceit; but the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out.
- When righteous men do rejoice, there is great glory: but when the wicked rise, a man is hidden.
- He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.
- Happy is the man that feareth alway: but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief.
- As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; so is a wicked ruler over the poor people.
- The prince that wanteth understanding is also a great oppressor: but he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days.
- A man that doeth violence to the blood of any person shall flee to the pit; let no man stay him.
- Whoso walketh uprightly shall be saved: but he that is perverse in his ways shall fall at once.
- He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread: but he that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty enough.
- A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.
- To have respect of persons is not good: for for a piece of bread that man will transgress.
- He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him.
- He that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favour than he that flattereth with the tongue.
- Whoso robbeth his father or his mother, and saith, It is no transgression; the same is the companion of a destroyer.
- He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in the LORD shall be made fat.
- He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.
- He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.
- When the wicked rise, men hide themselves: but when they perish, the righteous increase.
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Today's Pathway:
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The Bible condemns those who take advantage of others in order to increase their own wealth. In this passage God warns against those who gain wealth through usury. Usury was the practice of loaning out money and requiring the one receiving the funds to pay interest. Under the law the Jews were forbidden to charge interest to other Jews (Ex. 22:5). However, the idea here seems to be a condemnation of those who would require this from those who were poor. I do not believe God was forbidding investments, for in the Parable of the Talents the slothful servant is told that he should have taken the lord's money to the exchangers so that the master could have received his own "with usury" (Matt. 25:27). However, in Exodus 22:5, Leviticus 25:35-37, Nehemiah 5, and today's passage the context always deals with extracting usury from the poor.
Sometimes those who are hurting financially need someone to help them out. Perhaps they need money for food or medicine. Perhaps it is winter and their furnace has broken down, or their roof has sprung a leak and they do not have the funds to take care of the problem. If we can help them, we should help them; not with a loan, but with a gift. If they do desire to pay us back, we should never charge them interest. We are supposed to be assisting them, not profiting from their misfortune.
Solomon writes that those who attempt to profit from other's difficulties may gather the money, but God will see to it that the funds ultimately go to someone who cares about the impoverished. Those who show pity to the poor may not grow wealthy quickly like the selfish man, but the Lord will bless them financially because of their willingness to be motivated by love and not greed.
Pastor Mark J Montgomery
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