Proverbs 11:16

Proverbs 11:16 A gracious woman retains honor, but ruthless men retain riches.

Gracious- favor, pleasant, agreeable (Vines). marked by kindness and courtesy, markedly considerate of another’s feelings (Webster‘s).

Ruthless (strong KJV)- tyrannical, oppressive (Strong’s, Vine’s). Merciless, pitiless, relentless, unsparing. (Webster’s)

Honor- glory, wealth, reputation, splendor.

The context of this verse contrasts the wicked and the righteous, the honest and dishonest, the ruthless and the gracious. The parallel between honor and riches is interesting. Honor can mean or include riches, but in this context is seems to refer to one’s position within the sphere in which she lives, the honor and respect other show toward her because of her actions and personality.

A ruthless man may well obtain riches, and even a form of honor. The world around us and history bears this out, but history also shows what becomes of such men.

Acquiring wealth may not be evil in and of its self, but at what cost? what are you willing to trade for them? and what will the long term consequences be?

What is more important to you?

Proverbs 17:1

Proverbs 17:1 Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices with strife.

The New King James says, “a house full of feasting with strife.”
What is the purpose of wealth?
Is it a means, or an end in and of itself?

Ecclesiastes 5:10 He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity.
11 When goods increase, they are increased that eat them: and what good is there to the owners thereof, saving the beholding of them with their eyes?
12 The sleep of a labouring man is sweet, whether he eat little or much: but the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep.
13 There is a sore evil which I have seen under the sun, namely, riches kept for the owners thereof to their hurt.
14 But those riches perish by evil travail: and he begetteth a son, and there is nothing in his hand.
15 As he came forth of his mother's womb, naked shall he return to go as he came, and shall take nothing of his labour, which he may carry away in his hand.
16 And this also is a sore evil, that in all points as he came, so shall he go: and what profit hath he that hath laboured for the wind?
17 All his days also he eateth in darkness, and he hath much sorrow and wrath with his sickness.
18 ¶Behold that which I have seen: it is good and comely for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labour that he taketh under the sun all the days of his life, which God giveth him: for it is his portion.
19 Every man also to whom God hath given riches and wealth, and hath given him power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labour; this is the gift of God.
20 For he shall not much remember the days of his life; because God answereth him in the joy of his heart.

Wealth for wealth’s sake is pure vanity. Is it worth the trouble to acquire? Is it worth the trouble to maintain?

If wealth is not an end in and of itself, but a means to and end, then what is that end?

“Happiness is the meaning and the purpose of life, the whole aim and end of human existence” - Aristotle

What is it that you want? Aside from habit, why do you get out of bed in the morning? Why do you go to school, go to work, save up for retirement? What is your goal.

Most people’s answer would fall somewhere under the heading of happiness. Happiness is not easy to define, yet everyone seems to know what it means. Each of us caries an image of happiness, like a carrot dangled before us, driving us on. That image probably varies widely from person to person. In most cases that image is made up of things that we think will bring us happiness. Things such as love, comfort, and pleasure. Pleasure is often mistaken for happiness. Physical pleasure, sensuality, can contribute to happiness, but far too often, used as a cheap substitute for happiness, it has no connection whatsoever to happiness. Often it becomes a stumbling block in our pursuit of happiness. The pursuit of happiness will often result in pleasure, even sensual pleasure, but the pursuit of pleasure for it’s own sake often produces much pain and little happiness.

Now that I’ve gotten way off course, back to the definition of happiness. Once we’ve separated the means from the ends, and filtered out the things we substitute for happiness, we may come up with a definition along the lines of a sense of wellbeing and contentment, or maybe inner peace. That narrows things down a bit, doesn’t it?

This rant could go on forever. I guess I’m just trying to get us to stop from time to time an reexamine our purpose for living and, if need be, realign our desires and ambitions.

So, what is more likely to bring you happiness: a seven course meal of the finest food prepared by the finest chef served in the finest dining room and shared with the most famous, wealthy, powerful, and beautiful people ever, or a peanut butter sandwich with someone who truly loves you? All the wealth in the world, or the ability to rejoice in our labor and enjoy what we have, however little it may be?

As for me, I’d take a peanut butter sandwich with peace and quiet, and a few loved ones, over filet mignon with the Hollywood elite any day.

Proverbs 16:25

Proverbs 16:25 There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

I recently read a story about a lost man who smashed his compass, thinking it was broken, because it wasn’t pointing where he thought it should.
Picture your own face. For most people, the best they can do is a vague image containing only those features that distinguish us from others. With a bit of work, you might be able to re-create a more detailed image.
Our brains, impressive as they are, can’t process the world around us in all its detail and complexity. That would take way too much time. So we create paradigms, models, mental maps to give us a handle to make things manageable. Just as a map cannot contain all that is in the area represented but only those features necessary for orientation, our mental maps are merely simplified images of the world around us. This map is essential, without it we wouldn’t be able to find the fridge or the toilette in our own homes. Our brains are constantly updating this map in order to make it conform to the world around us, or our perception of it anyway. Normally this amazing process works very well, but this survival mechanism becomes the very hurdle we must overcome in order to survive. Our need for orientation is so powerful that when we lose it we, well, lose it. We panic. Our frantic struggle to make our mental map line up with the world around us may cause us to run, to thrash around, to waste energy, to drown in thigh deep water, to swim downward when we think we’re swimming up, to run away from help, and, in short, get ourselves further lost.
Sometimes, instead of admitting that our mental maps are off, we ignore what’s right in from of our faces, making excuses for why we don’t see what we expected to see, sometimes to the point we subconsciously block things out and see things that aren’t there.
Our knowledge of the world around us, our mental map of the universe, covers only a tiny spec of the whole. Of that tiny spec of time and space, our understanding is far from perfect and sometimes completely wrong. Yet we live most of our lives with the illusion we know just where we are and where we’re going. This is when we get in trouble. How can we find our way if we can’t even admit we are lost?
Humility is the key to survival, to accept the reality that you know next to nothing, and what you do know you know imperfectly. It’s about flexibility, not stiffening you neck so it will be broken off, accepting correction.

2 I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee.
3 Who is he that hideth counsel without knowledge? therefore have I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not.
4 Hear, I beseech thee, and I will speak: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me.
5 I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee.
6 Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes. - Job 42:1

Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. - 1 Corinthians 10:12

Proverbs 9:8

Proverbs 9:8 Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.
9 Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.

The wise listen to wisdom and correction. They know their knowledge is limited, they are only human. Often our reaction to criticism is to defend or counter attack. This is a natural emotion when attacked, but not all criticism is offensive. Even if the purpose isn’t constructive, there maybe some truth in it. We should try to be “swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath” (James 1:19).

It is also good to remember how we feel when corrected before we correct others.

Proverbs 3:3&4

Proverbs 3:3 Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:
4 So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.

God is the prime example of mercy and truth. He is faithful and just, but also compassionate and merciful.

As for us, this if more than going through the motions when it’s convenient, or even committing random acts of kindness; there is nothing random about something engraved in the heart. Mercy and truth should dictate everything we do. It should be who we are.

Proverbs 11:17

Proverbs 11:7 When a wicked man dieth, his expectation shall perish: and the hope of unjust men perisheth.

What does a wicked man desire? What will it do for him when he’s dead?

Proverbs 28:1

Proverbs 28:1 The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.

"Suspicion always haunts the guilty mind" - William Shakespeare

If you have something to hide, if you are defensive, or view others with suspicion, maybe you need to examine your motives.

15:1

Proverbs 15:1 A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.

The purpose of correction is to save, to help, and to heal. Our motivation should be love; a genuine desire for the welfare of others without any expectation of anything in return. Far too often we seek out flaws in others to make ourselves seem better. We tear other’s down to lift ourselves up. While there are times when harsh, bold words are called for, we should remember the natural reaction to an attack is to defend, or even counter attack. The more condescending we are, the less likely we are to receive a positive reaction. We would do well to remember we too have fallen short, and that with what judgment we judge, we will be judged. Can we live up to the standards we have for others?