22220.045 Curing the Poverty Curse

He who ignores discipline comes to poverty and shame, but whoever heeds correction is honored. (Proverbs 13:18) He who works his land will have abundant food, but the one who chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty. (Proverbs 28:19) A stingy man is eager to get rich and is unaware that poverty awaits him. …

22220.047 Watch Out! Your Body Is Talking

He who winks maliciously causes grief, but a chattering fool comes to ruin. (Proverbs 10:10) Who winks with his eye, signals with his feet, and motions with his fingers, who plots evil with deceit in his heart—he always stirs up dissension. (Proverbs 6:13-14) Picture the people of the Middle East. Long flowing robes, headbands, and…sunglasses! …

22220.048 God’s “Get Rich Slowly” Scheme

Dishonest money dwindles away, but he who gathers money little by little makes it grow. (Proverbs 13:11) The trustworthy person will get a rich reward, but a person who wants quick riches will get into trouble. (Proverbs 28:20) One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. (Proverbs 11:24) …

22220.049 The Wrong Cheering Section

When the righteous prosper, the city rejoices; when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy. (Proverbs 11:10) A wise man fears the Lord and shuns evil, but a fool is hot-headed and reckless. A quick-tempered man does foolish things, and a crafty man is hated. (Proverbs 14:16- 17) Most people give little thought to …

22220.050 The Check’s Not in the Mail

The wicked borrow and don’t repay, but the righteous give generously. (Psalms 37:21) Good will come to him who is generous and lends freely. (Psalms 112:5) The one who is gracious to the poor lends to the LORD, and the LORD will repay him for his good deed. (Proverbs 19:17) An old American proverb declares, “Neither a …

22220.051 Seismic Moral Situations

Under three things the earth trembles, under four it cannot bear up: a servant who becomes king, a godless fool who gets plenty to eat, a contemptible woman who gets married, and a servant who displaces her mistress. (Proverbs 30:21–23) I lived in an earthquake country for four decades. I mean real earth­quake country as …

22220.052 Seven Things on God’s “Hate List”

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

22220.053 “Home Sweet Home”…or Not

Better a dry crust with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting, with strife. (Proverbs 17:1) Better to live in a desert than with a quarrelsome and nagging [spouse]. (Proverbs 21:19) Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome [spouse]. (Proverbs 21:9) I heard of …