Proverbs chapter 11 (part 3) - Victory is won through many advisers. Wise Sayings of Solomon.

Proverbs chapter 11.

12 Whoever derides their neighbor has no sense,
    but the one who has understanding holds their tongue.

13 A gossip betrays a confidence,
    but a trustworthy person keeps a secret. (NIV)

12 He who is devoid of wisdom despises his neighbor,
But a man of understanding holds his peace.

13 A talebearer reveals secrets,
But he who is of a faithful spirit conceals a matter.  (NKJV)

The unwise, foolish person may despise or belittle his neighbour, friends or relatives. But the wise person will keep quiet and not criticize, not condemn his friends and relatives.

In people interrelationship, it is important not to criticize other people. Criticism will not invite resentment and enmity from other people. The person criticized will eventually want vengeance, and will criticize us in return. This may lead to more argument and quarrel.  Reminds me of what I read in Dale Carnegie's book on How To Win Friends and Influence People.

Avoid gossips, rumours and tale-telling. All these will cause more trouble. Let the secrets that we have the privilege to know remains a secret. Do not expose our people's secrets, otherwise we will lose our trustworthiness.

14 14 Where there is no guidance, a people falls;
    but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.  (RSV)

14 14 For lack of guidance a nation falls,
    but victory is won through many advisers.  (NIV)

14 14 Where there is no counsel, the people fall;
But in the multitude of counselors there is safety.  (NKJV)

Clever minds, wise decisions, sound advice are important for important decisions. No Leader is so good and perfect that he doesn't need the advice and counsel of his assistants, subordinates, team members. All top leaders listen to their advisers. Kings have several/numerous advisers. We must listen to professional advice, ideas and suggestions. We must also be open to diverse and differing points of view. We must be open-minded to diverse opinions.

15 15 Whoever puts up security for a stranger will surely suffer,
    but whoever refuses to shake hands in pledge is safe.  (NIV)

15 15 He who is surety for a stranger will suffer,
But one who hates being surety is secure.  (NKJV)

We must not be surety or financial guarantee for a stranger or an acquaintance. If he does not pay up his loan or loan instalment, we will be forced by the bank/lender to pay in lieu. Whoever listens to this instruction of not becoming surety or loan guarantee will be financially secured from this risk.

16 16 A gracious woman gets honor,
    and violent men get riches.  (RSV)

16 16 A kindhearted woman gains honor,
    but ruthless men gain only wealth.  (NIV)

16 16 A gracious woman retains honor,
But ruthless men retain riches.  (NKJV)

If we are kind-hearted and gracious, we will be honoured by God and men. If we are ruthless and bad in our business practices, all we get is only the money and riches, we will not be honoured by God, not favoured by men.

17 17 A man who is kind benefits himself,
    but a cruel man hurts himself.  (RSV)

17 17 Those who are kind benefit themselves,
    but the cruel bring ruin on themselves.  (NIV)

Kindness is returned with kindness. If we are kind and good to others, our good deeds will please other people. Other people will also be kind to us. Do others a favour, the favour will later be returned to us.

Similarly, cruelty and wicked deeds will also return to the cruel man. If the cruel man is cruel and acts wickedly toward other people, somehow he will suffer some bad fate.

18 18 A wicked man earns deceptive wages,
    but one who sows righteousness gets a sure reward.  (RSV)

18 18 A wicked person earns deceptive wages,
    but the one who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward.  (NIV)

A bad, wicked person who deceives and cheats others will not received much; he gets only the monetary wages. But the righteous person who conducts his business in integrity and fairness will make a definite profit and gain his reward (money, honour, respect, treasure in heaven).

19 19 He who is steadfast in righteousness will live,
    but he who pursues evil will die.
20 20 Men of perverse mind are an abomination to the Lord,
    but those of blameless ways are his delight.  (RSV)

19 Truly the righteous attain life,
    but whoever pursues evil finds death.

20 The Lord detests those whose hearts are perverse,
    but he delights in those whose ways are blameless.  (NIV)

The righteous person will attain life....a fuller and meaningful life in this world, and eternal life in heaver. The Lord loves the righteous person who lives a godly and blameless life. We must avoid sinful habits, and control our carnal/world desires.

Those who live sinful life will eventually lead to spiritual death. Perverse and bad-hearted people are hated by God.


Monday, Jan 20, 2014.
Michael Yeap.

NIV:  http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs+11&version=NIV

RSV:  http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs+11&version=RSV

NKJV:  http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs+11&version=NKJV

Commentaries:
11)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.11.12-Prov.11.13
12)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.11.14
13)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.11.15
14)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.11.16
15)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.11.17
16)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.11.18
17)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.11.19
18)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.11.20
19)

Proverbs chapter 6 (part 1) - Warning against Surety, Laziness, Wickedness, Abominable Sins

Proverbs chapter 6.

Summary:  We are warned against becoming Surety and Loan Guarantee for friends, acquaintances, and strangers. We are warned against laziness, slothfulness, and sluggishness. Sluggards are advised to learnt from the ants. We are warned against Wickedness. Characteristics of a wicked man are described. Related to wickedness, we are taught the Seven Abominable Sins.

Practical Admonitions  (RSV).
Warnings against Folly  (NIV).
Dangerous Promises  (NKJV).

1 My son, if you have put up security for your neighbor,
    if you have shaken hands in pledge for a stranger,
2 2 you have been trapped by what you said,
    ensnared by the words of your mouth.
3 3 So do this, my son, to free yourself,
    since you have fallen into your neighbor’s hands:
4 Go—to the point of exhaustion—[a]
    and give your neighbor no rest!
4 5 Allow no sleep to your eyes,
    no slumber to your eyelids.
5 6 Free yourself, like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter,    like a bird from the snare of the fowler.  (NIV)

1 My son, if you become surety for your friend,
If you have shaken hands in pledge for a stranger,
2 2 You are snared by the words of your mouth;
You are taken by the words of your mouth.
3 3 So do this, my son, and deliver yourself;
For you have come into the hand of your friend:
Go and humble yourself;Plead with your friend.  (NKJV)

We are taught to avoid becoming Surety and Guarantee for loans for friends. Surety could bring poverty and financial trouble for us if the borrower defaults on his loan.  We must view surety as a snare and avoid it completely. Even worse, is becoming surety for acquaintances and strangers.

Be not ensnared by own words and our kindness. Do not rush to consent to be Surety. Do not hastily agree to be Loan Guarantee.

If accidentally or unintentionally became a Surety or Loan Guarantee, try to get out of it soonest possible. Make sure the Principal Borrower pays off the Loan accordingly.

The borrower is servant to the lender, and makes himself very much a slave to this world. Besides becoming Surety, I think we should also avoid unnecessary debt. To buy a house for our residence, we need to borrow from the bank. But it is not wise to take up a personal loan to buy some of our Wants and Wishers (not Needs), e.g. house renovation, a high-end car stereo, luxury watches, jewellery. We should be prudent with money and finances.

When we are Surety for a loan, or a Borrower for a loan, let's get out of debt as soon as possible. Do not delay unnecessarily. Being in debt to the bank, we are like "slaves" for the bank, we work and toil for money...only to be paid to the bank.

The Folly of Indolence  (NKJV).

6 6 Go to the ant, O sluggard;
    consider her ways, and be wise.
7 7 Without having any chief,
    officer or ruler,
8 she prepares her food in summer,
    and gathers her sustenance in harvest.
9 8 How long will you lie there, O sluggard?
    When will you arise from your sleep?
10 9 A little sleep, a little slumber,
    a little folding of the hands to rest,
11 10 and poverty will come upon you like a vagabond,    and want like an armed man.  (RSV)

6 6 Go to the ant, O sluggard;
    consider her ways, and be wise.
7 7 Without having any chief,
    officer or ruler,
8 she prepares her food in summer,
    and gathers her sustenance in harvest.
9 8 How long will you lie there, O sluggard?
    When will you arise from your sleep?
10 9 A little sleep, a little slumber,
    a little folding of the hands to rest,
11 10 and poverty will come upon you like a vagabond,    and want like an armed man.  (NIV)

We are taught to be hardworking like the ants. We are warned not to lazy and sluggish.  Wisdom also includes the aspect of being hardworking and diligent.

The principles of hardworking and diligence are:
1)  Be self-motivated. We need to motivate ourselves to work hard, work smart to make a decent living.
2)  Be independent.  With or without being overseen or supervised, we need to be diligent at work. We must be able to work efficiently and effectively, without being supervised, without being told to do so.
3)  Earn a decent income, so that we have spare money to save up for the future.
4)  "Store up" our excess money for the future into the bank. Also invest in various other forms, e.g. house, apartment, land, stocks and shares, unit trust, and other investment instruments.

We must learn from the ants, literally and figuratively. We should also learn to work efficiently and effectively, diligently and smartly, from other sources of knowledge. There are plenty of books on motivation and self-improvement. There are many books on financial wisdom and investment. We must learn from these. The Bible also has many principles and guidance on issues such as financial management, investment, avoiding slothfulness/laziness.

We must be wise, and use our wisdom, to collect during the harvest, to generate income. Sometimes, income is generated alone. Often times, income is generated together with other colleagues, with our team, with our supply chain. When the ant cannot carry a particular food (due to big a size), a number of ants will carry that piece of food together. Similarly, in our work and business venture, we need to work strategically and tactically with other people to make our work/business a success.

Communication and dealing with other people are important skills for working smart. Working hard is not sufficient, may not always be productive. We also need to work smart.

Laziness, slothfulness, sluggishness, and procrastination, will bring poverty and financial difficulties. Those who are lazy must arise and "wake up" from their laziness to avoid the many forms of financial difficulties.

We must recognize opportunities. If God opens the door, and we don't walk the way, the wealth God has planned for us will not materialize. If there is opportunity, we must promptly take the necessary action. We must appreciate and act upon every opportunity.

Is anyone slothful toward heavenly matters?  Is anyone lazy to read the words of God?  Us anyone lazy to meditate upon God's words, and act in accordance? Is anyone lazy to pray and make requests to God? Is anyone lazy to thank God and praise God? Is anyone lazy to sing praises to God? Is anyone lazy to go to church, to worship God together with other believers?

The Wicked Man  (NKJV)

12 
12 A worthless person, a wicked man,
    goes about with crooked speech,
13 13 winks with his eyes, scrapes[d] with his feet,
    points with his finger,
14 14 with perverted heart devises evil,
    continually sowing discord;
15 15 therefore calamity will come upon him suddenly;    in a moment he will be broken beyond healing.  (RSV)

12 12 A troublemaker and a villain,
    who goes about with a corrupt mouth,
13 13  who winks maliciously with his eye,
    signals with his feet
    and motions with his fingers,
14 14  who plots evil with deceit in his heart—
    he always stirs up conflict.
15 15 Therefore disaster will overtake him in an instant;    he will suddenly be destroyed—without remedy.  (NIV)

We are warned against the "Wicked Man."  We must avoid having the characteristics of Wickedness. We should avoid the company and friendship of Wicked Men as described in Proverbs chapter 6.

Characteristics of the Wicked Man are:
1)  Worthless. Troublemaker and villain.
2)  Crooked speech. Corrupt lips. Perverse talk.
3)  Subtle, crafty, cunning.
4)  Perverted heart and devise evil plots of deceit.
5)  Cause discord and disunity. Stir up conflicts.

End result of the Wicked Man are:
1)  Disaster.
2)  Calamity.
3)  Destruction and Brokenness beyond healing.
Eventually, the Wicked Man will be punished.

16 16 These six things the Lord hates,
Yes, seven are an abomination to Him:
17 17 A proud look,
A lying tongue,
Hands that shed innocent blood,
18 18 A heart that devises wicked plans,
Feet that are swift in running to evil,
19 19 A false witness who speaks lies,And one who sows discord among brethren.  (NKJV)

16 16 There are six things theLord hates,
    seven that are detestable to him:
17         17 haughty eyes,
        a lying tongue,
        hands that shed innocent blood,
18         18 a heart that devises wicked schemes,
        feet that are quick to rush into evil,
19         19 a false witness who pours out lies
        and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.  (NIV)

16 16 There are six things which the Lord hates,
    seven which are an abomination to him:
17 17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue,
    and hands that shed innocent blood,
18 18 a heart that devises wicked plans,
    feet that make haste to run to evil,
19 19 a false witness who breathes out lies,    and a man who sows discord among brothers.  (RSV)

These are 7 worst sins:
1)  Proud look, haughty eyes.
2)  Lying tongue.
3)  Hands that shed innocent blood. Killers and murderers.
4)  Heart that devise evil plans/schemes.
5)  Feet that hastily rush into evil.
6)  False witness that speaks lies.
7)  Person who sows discord and disunity, stirs up conflict among friends/relatives/community.

To paraphrase these 7 abominable sins:
1) Pride, haughtiness.
2) Lying, falsehood, fraud.
3) Murder, violent attack, cruelty.
4) Plotting of evil schemes, subtlety, deceitfulness.
5) Ways of evil/wickedness, eagerness to sin.
6) False witness, false testimony.
7) Causing discord, disunity, and stirring up conflicts. Slandering. Making stories and slanderous gossips.

There are sins that affect the self and sins that affect many people.  God's second most important is "Love your neighbour as yourself."

All the 7 sins that are most objected by God are sins against other people, sins against "neighbour."

Saturday, Jan 11. 2014.
Michael Yeap.

NIV:  http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs%206&version=NIV

RSV:  http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs%206&version=RSV

NKJV:  http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs%206&version=NKJV

Commentaries:
1)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.6.1-Prov.6.5
2)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.6.6-Prov.6.11
3)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.6.12-Prov.6.19
4)