August 22, 2008

Today's Reading - Proverbs 22
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Following Scripture Verses

1. A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.
2. The rich and poor meet together: the LORD is the maker of them all.
3. A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.
4. By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life.
5. Thorns and snares are in the way of the froward: he that doth keep his soul shall be far from them.
6. Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
7. The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.
8. He that soweth iniquity shall reap vanity: and the rod of his anger shall fail.
9. He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor.
10. Cast out the scorner, and contention shall go out; yea, strife and reproach shall cease.
11. He that loveth pureness of heart, for the grace of his lips the king shall be his friend.
12. The eyes of the LORD preserve knowledge, and he overthroweth the words of the transgressor.
13. The slothful man saith, There is a lion without, I shall be slain in the streets.
14. The mouth of strange women is a deep pit: he that is abhorred of the LORD shall fall therein.
15. Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.
16. He that oppresseth the poor to increase his riches, and he that giveth to the rich, shall surely come to want.
17. Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge.
18. For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee; they shall withal be fitted in thy lips.
19. That thy trust may be in the LORD, I have made known to thee this day, even to thee.
20. Have not I written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge,
21. That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth; that thou mightest answer the words of truth to them that send unto thee?
22. Rob not the poor, because he is poor: neither oppress the afflicted in the gate:
23. For the LORD will plead their cause, and spoil the soul of those that spoiled them.
24. Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go:
25. Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul.
26. Be not thou one of them that strike hands, or of them that are sureties for debts.
27. If thou hast nothing to pay, why should he take away thy bed from under thee?
28. Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set.
29. Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.

Today's Pathway:
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"A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches..." - Proverbs 22:1

Solomon gives his son some advice in this proverb that many men would do well to teach their sons today. He reminds him that having a good reputation is of far more value than having an abundance of material possessions.

The writer opens with comments concerning a man's testimony. A good name means that when people hear your name they consider you to be a man of character. A man with a good name is not thought of as being a criminal, or a liar, or a cheater, or a sluggard. He is not thought of as being someone that should be shunned or avoided. He is considered to be honest and conscientious. He is the type of person that you would want to have for a neighbor or an employee. He is well thought of in the community, not necessarily because of what he has, but because of the kind of man that he is. Unfortunately, many men are willing to sacrifice their testimony on the altar of materialism. They will cheat and lie if necessary to get to the top of the financial ladder. They will walk over people, and even hurt them, if that's what it takes to make a dollar. They will be so intent on getting the best deal and squeezing every drop of money that they can out of someone else that this will become their reputation.

Solomon instructs his son that he would be better off being poor and keeping his integrity than in having great wealth and ruining his reputation. The obvious reason for this is that a man's reputation is simply worth more than money. However, it must also be noted that a man with a poor testimony in the community can never be an effective witness for the Lord. People who are truly concerned about spiritual things are not interested in the size of a man's bank account when he talks to them about the Bible. Instead, they are interested in how Christ has made a difference in the man's life.

Which do you value more, your testimony or your treasures?

Pastor Mark J Montgomery