Proverbs 23
I would offer that the word love is not a verb, it is a noun. It is not a thing you do. It is the light that you are made of and what you were created to be.
Money Can’t Buy Love
1 While dining with a ruler, pay attention to what is put before you. 2 If you are a big eater, put a knife to your throat; 3 don’t desire all the delicacies, for he might be trying to trick you.
4 Don’t wear yourself out trying to get rich. Be wise enough to know when to quit. 5 In the blink of an eye wealth disappears, for it will sprout wings and fly away like an eagle.
6 Don’t eat with people who are stingy; don’t desire their delicacies. 7 They are always thinking about how much it costs. “Eat and drink,” they say, but they don’t mean it. 8 You will throw up what little you’ve eaten, and your compliments will be wasted.
9 Don’t waste your breath on fools, for they will despise the wisest advice.
10 Don’t cheat your neighbor by moving the ancient boundary markers; don’t take the land of defenseless orphans. 11 For their Redeemer is strong; he himself will bring their charges against you.
12 Commit yourself to instruction; listen carefully to words of knowledge.
13 Don’t fail to discipline your children. They won’t die if you spank them. 14 Physical discipline may well save them from death.
15 My child, if your heart is wise, my own heart will rejoice! 16 Everything in me will celebrate when you speak what is right.
17 Don’t envy sinners, but always continue to fear the Lord. 18 You will be rewarded for this; your hope will not be disappointed.
19 My child, listen and be wise: Keep your heart on the right course.
20 Do not carouse with drunkards or feast with gluttons, 21 for they are on their way to poverty, and too much sleep clothes them in rags.
22 Listen to your father, who gave you life, and don’t despise your mother when she is old.
23 Get the truth and never sell it; also get wisdom, discipline, and good judgment.
24 The father of godly children has cause for joy. What a pleasure to have children who are wise. 25 So give your father and mother joy! May she who gave you birth be happy.
26 O my son, give me your heart. May your eyes take delight in following my ways.
27 A prostitute is a dangerous trap; a promiscuous woman is as dangerous as falling into a narrow well. 28 She hides and waits like a robber, eager to make more men unfaithful.
29 Who has anguish? Who has sorrow? Who is always fighting? Who is always complaining? Who has unnecessary bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes? 30 It is the one who spends long hours in the taverns, trying out new drinks.
31 Don’t gaze at the wine, seeing how red it is, how it sparkles in the cup, how smoothly it goes down. 32 For in the end it bites like a poisonous snake; it stings like a viper. 33 You will see hallucinations, and you will say crazy things. 34 You will stagger like a sailor tossed at sea, clinging to a swaying mast. 35 And you will say, “They hit me, but I didn’t feel it. I didn’t even know it when they beat me up. When will I wake up so I can look for another drink?” (NLT)
insights
Proverbs 23:4-5
Money can’t buy love. Wealth will not make you wise. Throughout the book of Proverbs, we see this repeated theme about wealth vs wisdom. Here is another twist on that theme, warning us not to focus too much of our energy on accumulating wealth, which can be lost in the blink of an eye.
Proverbs 23:15-16
When we develop a wise heart, God rejoices because it brings us closer to Him. Jesus spoke many times about what we are worth to God, and how much he loves us.
In his book, Planned for God’s Pleasure, Rick Warren says, “In God’s Kingdom, you have a place, a role, and a function to fulfill. This gives your life great significance and value.”
“Before I made you in your mother’s womb, I chose you. Before you were born, I set you apart for a special work.” Jeremiah 1:5
Wisdom gives us the clarity to know our role and do our part, and when we do, God rejoices that we have chosen Him, chosen life over death.
Proverbs 23:31-35
Wine, like many of the temptations of the earth has its sparkle and sweet taste, but like so many other things, it can be a trap if used unwisely, or as a substitute for the love that seems to be missing in our lives.
lynnibug
To support continuation of this project and others yet to be birthed, donations are most appreciated.
Comment on your journey at WisdomBlog.
