Gather Little by Little

A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold.

God has promised to meet your needs, you do not need to trade your good character or reputation in order to get ahead in life. After all, our lives are “but a vapor” in light of eternity. Do right in every circumstance.

The rich and the poor meet together; the LORD is the maker of them all.

Do not be covetous toward those who are better off than you and do not be condescending to those who lack. God is not a respecter of persons and the rich and the poor both have equal standing before him.

The prudent sees danger and hides himself, but the simple go on and suffer for it.

Save for a rainy day, invest for the long term, do not buy more than you need. Never assume that your plans will unfold exactly as you wish. Investigate and listen to wise counsel.

The reward for humility and fear of the LORD is riches and honor and life.

Remember that Proverbs is not a book of promises, but rather a book of wise sayings that are good to live by and true most of the time. Not all riches are monetary.

The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is the slave of the lender.

Don’t we know it! I think this verses has application in our personal, family lives. Just think about the money we send out every month to creditors! I think this principle also has application in our civil government. Everything you are given by the government comes with a price and our American government is increasingly the “slave” of other countries who have lent us money.

Whoever has a bountiful eye will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor.

Do you have an eye that sees the needs of others?

The sluggard says, “There is a lion outside! I shall be killed in the streets!”

We can always find an excuse to be lazy, can’t we? Right now, I am using the “I’ll start working out in January” excuse to avoid exercise.

Whoever oppresses the poor to increase his own wealth, or gives to the rich, will only come to poverty.

If you seek success through the oppression of the poor or through “kissing up” to the rich, things will end badly for you. Remember that words like “riches” or “poverty” do not always refer to physical money in Proverbs. When I read this verse, I think of a godfather or mafia kind of set-up, where illicit favors are exchanged for power.

Do not rob the poor, because he is poor, or crush the afflicted at the gate, for the LORD will plead their cause and rob of life those who rob them.

There are some who make a living from taking advantage of the poor or using the less fortunate in order to gain treasure and power. God is keeping score and even though a man might publicly get away with usury, He does not forget. Modern day usury happens in the Payday Loan or Cash Advance store. Sometimes I wonder if this verse is a warning to the politician who trades the life of the unborn in exchange for the vote of the mother.

Be not one of those who give pledges, who put up security for debts. If you have nothing with which to pay, why should your bed be taken from under you?

Do not risk the things that you and your family need for sake of the things you want. Be content. A home equity loan in order to take a vacation to Mexico . . . ?!

Do you see a man skillful in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men.

Take your time, set a good foundation, prepare, practice, work hard and you will have success!

Article by Stew

Photo by Gene Hunt