Wednesday,  June 25
Reading for today:   Proverbs 27-28-29

To me, it seems that chapter 27 follows (more or less) the comments from yesterday, where the main theme is relationship and/or wisdom.

Without studying it intensively, I think the main theme in Chapter 28 and 29 is shifting toward those who follow the law vs. those who don't, and those who have money vs. those who don't.

It is absolutely not a sin to be wealthy, and if you look closely at the text, Solomon (a very wealthy man himself) isn't "down" on the rich.   He is commenting on HOW the wealthy become wealthy.   If you are wise and treat others fairly yet make shrewd deals and combine that with hard work, you are likely to become wealthy.   That's not a problem at all.   But if you take what doesn't belong to you, cheat others out of what is rightfully theirs (via bribes, lies, underpaying your workers) then you have drifted into sinful behavior.   Proverbs is reminding us that "cheaters never win"  (an old proverb my gym teacher used to repeat).

Before we try and use this passage to demand a higher minimum wage, or additional benefits from our employers consider this:   we have the option of leaving the job we are in, and there are many other job opportunities available.  No one is forcing us to work for low wages.   We want more money for two reasons   1: Our appetite (better car, larger house, more kids, x-box one, new clothes, remodel, 4 wheeler, phone upgrade, satellite TV, family vacation, dinner out,  prepackaged meals...should I go on?)    2:  Greed  (I see that others have more, or I find out how much money the company made last year)

Paul said "I have learned the secret of being content, whether in plenty or in want".  It has become a guiding principle for me.  And, I find that I need to check myself once or twice a month to make sure I am not becoming discontent.  The devil would like to gain a foothold in my life on the beachhead of greed.   I need to keep that area inaccessible, and I do that by reminding myself "there is no access to my life through desire for things"   That keeps the devil from landing there.

Secondly, there is a focus on the law, and obedience to the law in these chapters.   Solomon clearly understands that following God's law is directly connected to being wise, being healthy, being wealthy and being righteous.    For instance,  chapter 29:18 is often quoted from King James Version as saying "where there is no vision, the people perish"   And the implication is that someone needs to cast a vision for the future.  It's a common theme around building campaigns, etc.    But the NIV opens up the original meaning of the text slightly (and not surprisingly, it aligns more closely with the theme of the rest of the text)  "Where there is no revelation of the law the people cast off restraint".    Both are true, but what is actually being said is this:

Unless we make provision in our lives to be continually reminded of how God wants us to live, and how he wants us to behave, we will slowly forget.   And when we forget, we will gravitate toward the very type of behavior that the Bible warns against.   We are prone to drift away from God's law.   The idea that we will not be reminded or that we will not learn and yet still remain righteous is naive.   Even worse, it could be satan saying "you can skip devotions, or being in church...it won't affect you to miss once...twice...."
But Proverbs is saying that it will absolutely affect you.   No reminder means gradually declining good behavior, and then the eventual "casting off restraint", which is sin, and the wages of sin are death.   It's good for us to be reminded, and to be rebuked from time to time.      That's what 28:13 and 26 are talking about, along with 29:15-18

PR