Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 526 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

I am Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Better to Be Poor and Honest – Proverbs 28:1-14

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. Today is Day 526 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 1^st half of Chapter 28.

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. Although life is not always easy and sometimes not everything turns out as we anticipated, if your life is driven by honesty and integrity, it will be rich and satisfying. This concept ties into verse 6 on today’s trek, which says…

Better To Be Poor and Honest

Let’s start our trek as we explore verses 1-14.

More Proverbs of Solomon

¹ The wicked run away when no one is chasing them,

but the godly are as bold as lions.

Unfounded fear seems to grip so many people and sadly even those who profess faith in God. It is understandable if someone is fearful when their actions are contrary to God’s precepts in His Word. Irrational fear is caused by irrational thinking and actions. As Christ followers, we should not be fearful, but bold as lions. When we are fearful, it is because our faith is weak. The opposite of faith is fear.

² When there is moral rot within a nation, its government topples easily.

But wise and knowledgeable leaders bring stability.

This scenario has been seen of governments across time and throughout the world. When the people of a nation no longer follow God, then all of society will be filled with moral rot. The next step is a failure of the government. Wise leaders will govern based on moral precepts, which bring stability.

³ A poor person who oppresses the poor

is like a pounding rain that destroys the crops.

It is unimaginable that a person who is poor would treat another poor person badly. They of all people should have compassion on those that share the same plight. In the same manner, rain is good and necessary for crops to grow and prosper, but if rain comes too fast and hard, it will destroy the very crops that it is supposed to help.

⁴ To reject the law is to praise the wicked;

to obey the law is to fight them.

When a person rejects law and order within a government and country, they are giving a stronghold to those who do not follow God. Every stable nation needs a set of laws and guidelines for people to follow. They will be the foundation for a stable government.

⁵ Evil people don’t understand justice,

but those who follow the Lord understand completely.

We see this so often in our world today where justice is not only misunderstood, but perverted. I suspect this has been an issue since the fall of man. All of us are susceptible to falling into the trap of calling evil good and good evil when it fits our particular paradigm. It is when we allow God’s Word to filter everything that goes into our mind where we will then understand true justice.

⁶ Better to be poor and honest

than to be dishonest and rich.

Such sound advice. No amount of riches is worth having if you become dishonest to obtain them. It certainly is better to be poor but have your integrity and reputation unspoiled.

⁷ Young people who obey the law are wise;

those with wild friends bring shame to their parents.

A person young or old will show their wisdom when they obey the laws of the land. As a parent, it is heartbreaking and embarrassing when our children become friends with those who ignore the law and God’s precepts.

⁸ Income from charging high interest rates

will end up in the pocket of someone who is kind to the poor.

God is compassionate for those who are poor. If we become wealthy by taking advantage of the poor and charging high interest, then eventually we will lose it to someone who cares for the poor.

⁹ God detests the prayers

of a person who ignores the law.

All too often we only turn to God when we are in trouble. Much of the time the trouble is because we have ignored God’s precepts. We then expect God to bail us out for our foolishness. This action is detestable to God.

¹⁰ Those who lead good people along an evil path

will fall into their own trap,

but the honest will inherit good things.

It is a dangerous trek to lead others, who try to be good, down a path that is evil. If we make this a practice, don’t be surprised that it will come back on us. Those who practice honesty on a continual basis will see the good fruit from the good they planted.

¹¹ Rich people may think they are wise,

but a poor person with discernment can see right through them.

Obtaining riches is not the same as obtaining wisdom. It is so easy to think that our earthly success is because of our wisdom. A person who is poor, but rich in wisdom will more easily discern the difference.

¹² When the godly succeed, everyone is glad.

When the wicked take charge, people go into hiding.

A good person, who lives a life of integrity and is successful by doing so will make others glad and reflective. It is quite the opposite when the wicked rise up and take power. It is then we want to hide from their presence

¹³ People who conceal their sins will not prosper,

but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy.

When we do that which is wrong, we may cover it up for a time, but eventually, it will be our downfall. The only way to have true prosperity is to turn from that which is wrong, confess it to those who are aware of it, and ask forgiveness of anyone that we may have hurt.

¹⁴ Blessed are those who fear to do wrong,

but the stubborn are headed for serious trouble.

It is good when you have a healthy fear of doing something that is wrong. If we refuse to admit that and continue on in our wrong ways, then it will eventually rise up and cause us significant issues.

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 the precepts in Proverbs are followed, 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 as we 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:

1. Live Abundantly (Fully)
2. Love Unconditionally
3. Listen Intentionally
4. Learn Continuously
5. Lend to others Generously
6. Lead with Integrity
7. 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!