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Pathways Through Proverbs
Daily Devotional
December 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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Over the past one hundred years or so a movement has risen in Christianity known as the "social gospel". This ideology teaches that the primary purpose of the church is to meet social needs. Pastors who hold to this philosophy spend much of their time preaching on subjects such as racism, poverty, education, and similar societal issues. While not necessarily abandoning the message of salvation through repentance and faith, the emphasis is placed on the temporal physical needs of man instead of his eternal spiritual needs.
Fundamentalism has always rejected the "social gospel". We have done this because we understand that solving society's problems does not mean that more people will go to Heaven. If you give a man an education and a job, yet he goes to Hell because you never told Him about his need of a Savior, what good have you really done for him?
However, because we emphasize the spiritual, we sometimes forget that the Lord has given us a responsibility to those who are less fortunate than we are. In today's verse Solomon reminds us that, if we give to the poor, He will see to it that our needs are met. Sometimes Christians may see the need, but they choose not to help because they fear that they will not have enough for themselves. Solomon states that the Lord will provide for them, and not to use that as an excuse. In fact, if we "hide our eyes" from their need, God will curse us, and bring calamity upon us.
The Christian's primary focus in society must always be on its spiritual needs. However, don't neglect to help meet physical needs when the opportunity presents itself.
Pastor Mark J Montgomery
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