Shownotes
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy
Welcome to Day 531 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.
I am Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom
A Hard Worker Has Plenty of Food – Proverbs 28:15-28
Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. Today is Day 531 of our trek, and it is Wisdom Wednesday. Every Wednesday along life’s trails we dig for the nuggets of wisdom that are found within the book of Proverbs. Today we will explore the 2nd half of Chapter 28.
We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. I invested last week in Arizona updating all of the financial transactions for our current construction project and organizing our filing center. We were able to discard much of the old paperwork in preparation of setting up the files for our current and future projects. Much of the current paperwork is being stored electronically now, and will become more so as we move forward. It was a week well invested.
It is good to be home for a week, but most of February we will be traveling which includes a podcasters cruise before heading back out to Arizona again later this month. We do invest much of our time working hard planting seeds in people and companies so that we can reap a harvest of blessings both now and in the future. This reminds me of verse 19 on our trek today, which tells us…
A Hard Worker Has Plenty of Food
Let’s start our trek as we explore verses 15-28.
More Proverbs of Solomon
15 A wicked ruler is as dangerous to the poor
as a roaring lion or an attacking bear.
When someone who is in a position of authority is wicked or lacks compassion, then those who are less fortunate will be in peril. The consequences to the poor will be as dangerous as if wild animals were released on them. – as dangerous as a lion or bear that is ready for attacking.
16 A ruler with no understanding will oppress his people,
but one who hates corruption will have a long life.
You can discern the integrity and mind of a ruler by how they treat those who are less fortunate. If they oppress those who they are leading, then it shows they really don’t understand how best to rule others. A leader who hates the abuse of others will be granted a long and pleasant life.
17 A murderer’s tormented conscience will drive him into the grave.
Don’t protect him!
God is just, and He is the author of justice. The immutable law of planting and harvesting applies to every area of our lives. When someone takes an innocent life, his conscience will plague him continually. While we can show compassion for them, we should not make excuses for them, and we should allow them to reap the harvest of what they planted.
18 The blameless will be rescued from harm,
but the crooked will be suddenly destroyed.
God’s justice also applies in every situation. If we live our life according to God’s precepts found in His Word, we will be protected. Those who practice a life of wicked habits will sooner or later suffer the consequences.
19 A hard worker has plenty of food,
but a person who chases fantasies ends up in poverty.
There is no substitute for consistent, persistent, and hard work. When we practice this continually, we will have all the resources that we need. Contrary to this is a person who chases fantasies and dreams but is not willing to work hard to see those dreams realized. They will be in continual poverty for their lack of responsibility.
20 The trustworthy person will get a rich reward,
but a person who wants quick riches will get into trouble.
A person who is worthy of trust is a person who is dependable. Their focused discipline will allow them to harvest from what they have planted. A person who is not willing to work planting the seeds of disciplined work but is looking to harvest without work will always be in financial trouble. There is no such thing as quick riches.
21 Showing partiality is never good,
yet some will do wrong for a mere piece of bread.
A person with a lack of principles and integrity will easily be bribed to do what is convenient, not what is right. They are easily swayed for the smallest of immediate gratification.
22 Greedy people try to get rich quick
but don’t realize they’re headed for poverty.
A person who is chasing the fantasy of “get rich quick schemes” will never reach what they are chasing. Instead, they will be continually on the road of poverty always chasing their next fantasy.
23 In the end, people appreciate honest criticism
far more than flattery.
At times truth seems too rare in our postmodern world. I suspect it has always been the case throughout history. It seems like political correctness has consumed the majority of people. It is refreshing when we actually receive honest criticism from someone who really has our best interest at heart. They desire to see us become our best. This is much more beneficial than someone who tells us what they think we desire to hear.
24 Anyone who steals from his father and mother
and says, “What’s wrong with that?”
is no better than a murderer.
We need to respect and honor our parents. We should not take advantage of them, nor their willingness to assist us. We are responsible for our own lives, and if we steal from or take advantage of our parents, then our disregard for them is the same as taking their very life from them.
25 Greed causes fighting;
trusting the Lord leads to prosperity.
When we desire to have what is not ours, it will lead to problems and fighting between people. We should instead trust that God will provide for us, which will lead to a rich and satisfying life.
26 Those who trust their own insight are foolish,
but anyone who walks in wisdom is safe.
None of us have all knowledge, and none of us have reached the point in our lives where there is nothing more to learn. This shows how foolish we are. When are walking in wisdom, then we will realize that we have so much more to learn and more wisdom to gain. It is then we will safely walk throughout each day of life.
27 Whoever gives to the poor will lack nothing,
but those who close their eyes to poverty will be cursed.
Throughout the Bible, God continually shows His concern for those who are poor, especially if their condition is out of their control. If we are fortunate enough to have more resources than we need, then we should be willing to help those who are poor. In doing so, all of our needs will be continually provided for. If we are not willing to do so, then our lack of compassion will come back to us in our time of need.
28 When the wicked take charge, people go into hiding.
When the wicked meet disaster, the godly flourish.
Regardless if you live in a country where you have many freedoms or few, all peoples fear rulers who are wicked. It is an oppression to them. When those rulers who are wicked come to their demise, it is an opportunity for those who follow God’s precepts to have a greater impact on their world.
Today on our Wisdom Trail we continue to explore a series of Solomon’s Proverbs that were assembled by King Hezekiah. These proverbs provide us with more wisdom, insight, and understanding on a myriad of relationship issues. Regardless of where you are in your faith walk, if you follow the precepts in Proverbs, your life will be rich and satisfying. Take them and plant them in your heart so that you will reap a harvest of wisdom. I would challenge you to take just one precept that we learn today in Proverbs and commit yourself to applying it to your life.
Tomorrow we will hike another short trail of Wisdom Unplugged where we will discover an inspirational wisdom quote. So encourage your friends and family to join us, and then come along with us tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.
That will finish our trek for today. If you would like to listen to any of our past treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are available at Wisdom-Trek.com.
Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.
As we take this trek of life together, let us always:
- Live Abundantly (Fully)
- Love Unconditionally
- Listen Intentionally
- Learn Continuously
- Lend to others Generously
- Lead with Integrity
- Leave a Living Legacy Each Day
This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow!