Proverbs

What task am I contemplating about putting off until tomorrow?  What should I do now and not later? I ask God to make me a good steward of the time and resources that he has given me. Am I as productive as I should be? Have I used the resources and time that I have been given wisely? Am I the sluggard? Do I dread doing this or am I willing to do the hard in order to have my reward in the end? Do I need to find worth in everything I do? Even if I think its a waste of my time, will I still do it? Does it really matter? Will it make a difference? Do I need to see the worth? Am I laying a foundation for others to come? Help me to lay a foundation Lord for those to come after me. Help me to not only focus on me and what I can get out of it but on what the big picture is. I really am contemplating not going. But God is twisting and turning this in my mind and heart. I bought the ticket. I watch the documentaries, movies,(some of them) Isn't that enough support? Must I also go on the long drive, hope for decent parking, get there early enough to get a good seat, sit for an hour before it b
egins, then hear someone who may or may not even have anything worth while to contribute. Its not a movie, not beginning a movement of consciousness, does he even have clarity in his thoughts when he speaks publicly? All this comes into play when I think about venturing out. I weigh the value of the event. My only reason for attending is to support and see you. Period.

Proverbs 24:23-25:27 (The Message)

More Sayings of the Wise

An Honest Answer

 ²³ It's wrong, very wrong,
   to go along with injustice.

 ^24-25 Whoever whitewashes the wicked
   gets a black mark in the history books,
But whoever exposes the wicked
   will be thanked and rewarded.

 ²⁶ An honest answer
   is like a warm hug.

 ²⁷ First plant your fields;
   then build your barn.

 ^28-29 Don't talk about your neighbors behind their backs—
   no slander or gossip, please.
Don't say to anyone, "I'll get back at you for what you did to me.
   I'll make you pay for what you did!"

 ^30-34 One day I walked by the field of an old lazybones,
   and then passed the vineyard of a lout;
They were overgrown with weeds,
   thick with thistles, all the fences broken down.
I took a long look and pondered what I saw;
   the fields preached me a sermon and I listened:
"A nap here, a nap there, a day off here, a day off there,
   sit back, take it easy—do you know what comes next?
Just this: You can look forward to a dirt-poor life,
   with poverty as your permanent houseguest!"

Proverbs 25

Further Wise Sayings of Solomon

The Right Word at the Right Time

 ¹ There are also these proverbs of Solomon, collected by scribes of Hezekiah, king of Judah.

 ² God delights in concealing things;
   scientists delight in discovering things.

 ³ Like the horizons for breadth and the ocean for depth,
   the understanding of a good leader is broad and deep.

 ^4-5 Remove impurities from the silver
   and the silversmith can craft a fine chalice;
Remove the wicked from leadership
   and authority will be credible and God-honoring.

 ^6-7 Don't work yourself into the spotlight;
   don't push your way into the place of prominence.
It's better to be promoted to a place of honor
   than face humiliation by being demoted.

 ⁸ Don't jump to conclusions—there may be
   a perfectly good explanation for what you just saw.

 ^9-10 In the heat of an argument,
   don't betray confidences;
Word is sure to get around,
   and no one will trust you.

 ^11-12 The right word at the right time
   is like a custom-made piece of jewelry,
And a wise friend's timely reprimand
   is like a gold ring slipped on your finger.

 ¹³ Reliable friends who do what they say
   are like cool drinks in sweltering heat—refreshing!

 ¹⁴ Like billowing clouds that bring no rain
   is the person who talks big but never produces.

 ¹⁵ Patient persistence pierces through indifference;
   gentle speech breaks down rigid defenses.

A Person Without Self-Control

 ^16-17 When you're given a box of candy, don't gulp it all down;
   eat too much chocolate and you'll make yourself sick;
And when you find a friend, don't outwear your welcome;
   show up at all hours and he'll soon get fed up.

 ¹⁸ Anyone who tells lies against the neighbors
   in court or on the street is a loose cannon.

 ¹⁹ Trusting a double-crosser when you're in trouble
   is like biting down on an abscessed tooth.

 ²⁰ Singing light songs to the heavyhearted
   is like pouring salt in their wounds.

 ^21-22 If you see your enemy hungry, go buy him lunch;
   if he's thirsty, bring him a drink.
Your generosity will surprise him with goodness,
   and God will look after you.

 ²³ A north wind brings stormy weather,
   and a gossipy tongue stormy looks.

 ²⁴ Better to live alone in a tumbledown shack
   than share a mansion with a nagging spouse.

 ²⁵ Like a cool drink of water when you're worn out and weary
   is a letter from a long-lost friend.

 ²⁶ A good person who gives in to a bad person
   is a muddied spring, a polluted well.

 ²⁷ It's not smart to stuff yourself with sweets,
   nor is glory piled on glory good for you.