May 1
Reading: Proverbs 28
1 The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion.
2 When a land transgresses, it has many rulers, but with a man of understanding and knowledge, its stability will long continue.
3 A poor man who oppresses the poor is a beating rain that leaves no food.
4 Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, but those who keep the law strive against them.
5 Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the LORD understand it completely.
6 Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity than a rich man who is crooked in his ways.
7 The one who keeps the law is a son with understanding, but a companion of gluttons shames his father.
8 Whoever multiplies his wealth by interest and profit gathers it for him who is generous to the poor.
9 If one turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination.
10 Whoever misleads the upright into an evil way will fall into his own pit, but the blameless will have a goodly inheritance.
11 A rich man is wise in his own eyes, but a poor man who has understanding will find him out.
12 When the righteous triumph, there is great glory, but when the wicked rise, people hide themselves.
13 Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.
14 Blessed is the one who fears the LORD always, but whoever hardens his heart will fall into calamity.
15 Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked ruler over a poor people.
16 A ruler who lacks understanding is a cruel oppressor, but he who hates unjust gain will prolong his days.
17 If one is burdened with the blood of another, he will be a fugitive until death; let no one help him.
18 Whoever walks in integrity will be delivered, but he who is crooked in his ways will suddenly fall.
19 Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits will have plenty of poverty.
20 A faithful man will abound with blessings, but whoever hastens to be rich will not go unpunished.
21 To show partiality is not good, but for a piece of bread a man will do wrong.
22 A stingy man hastens after wealth and does not know that poverty will come upon him.
23 Whoever rebukes a man will afterward find more favor than he who flatters with his tongue.
24 Whoever robs his father or his mother and says, “That is no transgression,” is a companion to a man who destroys.
25 A greedy man stirs up strife, but the one who trusts in the LORD will be enriched.
26 Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered.
27 Whoever gives to the poor will not want, but he who hides his eyes will get many a curse.
28 When the wicked rise, people hide themselves, but when they perish, the righteous increase.
Proverbs 28 continues the sayings of Solomon that were put together years after he died, during the reign of Hezekiah.
vs. 1 Courage is an attribute of the righteous.
vss. 4-5 Consider the current condition of our society. We are beset by evil men who forsake the law and do not understand justice. They talk about justice all the time, but their actions show that they have no idea what it looks like.
vs. 11 Often a wealthy man thinks he is wiser than those who have less. Because he is rich, he thinks that people ought to listen to him and consider him important. God is not impressed. This is simply arrogance.
vss. 13-14 If you fear the Lord, you will have a soft heart when the Spirit convicts you of sin. You’ll confess your sin and repent and get back to walking with God. You will receive mercy.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9
vss. 15-16 A wicked ruler will make an entire society suffer. What makes a ruler wicked? We find in the Bible that wickedness is a result of refusing to listen to and obey the Lord. This always results in injustice, oppression, and violence.
vs. 20 It is better to be faithful than to seek riches. What does it mean to be faithful? It means that you invest yourself, your time, and your money in blessing people and serving the Lord. You commit yourself and follow through on your commitments.
vs. 24 Why is there a warning against stealing from your parents? It is because people do it. If you rationalize it or think that it is not a sin, you are being destructive.
vs. 25 Greed is one of the seven deadly sins. The antidote for greed is found in verse 22. What is the opposite of stinginess? Generosity. If you want to win the battle against greed, pray and work on being generous. God will bless you.