September 11, 2008

Today's Reading - Proverbs 11
Click above for full KJV Online

Today's Pathway:previous - - - - - - - - - - - - next
Click above to go directly to TP
Following Scripture Verses

1. A false balance is abomination to the LORD: but a just weight is his delight.
2. When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.
3. The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.
4. Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death.
5. The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.
6. The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them: but transgressors shall be taken in their own naughtiness.
7. When a wicked man dieth, his expectation shall perish: and the hope of unjust men perisheth.
8. The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked cometh in his stead.
9. An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered.
10. When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth: and when the wicked perish, there is shouting.
11. By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted: but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.
12. He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbour: but a man of understanding holdeth his peace.
13. A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.
14. Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.
15. He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it: and he that hateth suretiship is sure.
16. A gracious woman retaineth honour: and strong men retain riches.
17. The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh.
18. The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward.
19. As righteousness tendeth to life: so he that pursueth evil pursueth it to his own death.
20. They that are of a froward heart are abomination to the LORD: but such as are upright in their way are his delight.
21. Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered.
22. As a jewel of gold in a swine's snout, so is a fair woman which is without discretion.
23. The desire of the righteous is only good: but the expectation of the wicked is wrath.
24. There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty.
25. The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.
26. He that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him: but blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it.
27. He that diligently seeketh good procureth favour: but he that seeketh mischief, it shall come unto him.
28. He that trusteth in his riches shall fall: but the righteous shall flourish as a branch.
29. He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind: and the fool shall be servant to the wise of heart.
30. The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.
31. Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: much more the wicked and the sinner.

Today's Pathway:
You may click on verses for Scripture

"There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty." - Proverbs 11:24

The man who is scattering is giving away some of his wealth. Perhaps he is giving it to his church or to the Lord's work. Maybe he is giving it to help a struggling brother in Christ. Whatever the cause, he is giving away that which he could hold on to, and the end result is that he has more after he gives it away than he had before. How can this happen? Because God is the One Who watches what we do with our finances, and He rewards those who have a giving heart. Luke 6:38 states,

"Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over."

The second man in today's proverb doesn't understand this principle. He holds back his funds and keeps them for himself. Notice that it is not wrong for him to withhold some money for his own needs, for the Bible states that he withheld "more than is meet". There apparently comes a point where a man is selfishly hoarding more than the Lord wants him to when he could be using it for the physical and spiritual benefit of others. Because he held money back, Solomon writes that this man will tend towards poverty. God is not obligated to help the selfish Christian, and when this man has needs he can not claim the promise that God will give abundantly to him.

Do you scatter, or do you withhold?

Pastor Mark J Montgomery