Proverbial Post 7; Proverbs 19-21

May the mumbling commence!

Hear some proverbs of today:  “He who dies with the most toys wins.”  “He who wins the lottery has many friends.”  “Money talks, and bull*$@! Walks.”  Indeed the way that we use our money speaks volumes about us.  What does our use of money say about us to the Lord?  How should we use our wealth wisely?  Let’s take a look at Proverbs 19-21 to find the answers.  Read a couple of proverbs from chapter 19:

            Wealth brings many friends,

                        But a poor man’s friend deserts him. (Verse 4)

            Many curry favor with a ruler,

                        And everyone is the friend of a man who gives gifts. (Verse 6)

As the Beatles songs says, “Can’t buy me love.”  But money can buy companionship – the caliber of which will desert you when the gifts stop coming.  So, how can we live and use our money that will grow love?  Wisdom is not shown in how much money one has but in how one uses the money that one has.  Let’s look at another verse, this time from chapter 20:

            An inheritance quickly gained at the beginning

                        Will not be blessed at the end. (Verse 21)

This proverb makes me think of an eighties movie called Brewster’s Millions.  The main character was played by Richard Pryor.  Pryor’s character learns early in the movie that a rich multi-millionaire relative had died and left him money, but there was a catch (isn’t there always).  Pryor’s character had a choice: Walk away free and clear with a million dollars or take a million dollars and spend it in a month but have nothing to show for it but the clothes on his back.  If he was successful with the latter, Pryor’s character would inherit the entire amount.  Failure to complete the task would result in no further money.

Pryor’s character took the challenge.  Talk about the American Dream!  He had an engraved invitation for conspicuous consumption and dreadful waste.  With much trial, he succeeded.  By the time he was through with the trial, he had grown sick of wasting money on frivolous things.  That was the point of the departed wealthy relative.  It is a point that Proverbs tries to make.  Read some quotes from Proverbs 20 and 21:

            Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler;

                        Whoever is led astray by them is not wise. (20:1)

            He who loves pleasure will become poor;

                        Whoever loves wine and oil will never be rich. (21:17)

            In the house of the wise are stores of choice food and oil,

                        But a foolish man devours all he has. (21:20)

            The sluggard’s craving will be the death of him,

                        Because his hands refuse to work.

            All day long he craves for more,

                        But the righteous give without sparing. (21:-25-26)

Rich foods and the drugs of our choice decay our sense of righteousness and lead us astray.  We will become drunk with the wrong spirits.  We will be slaves to our appetites.  This way leads to the poor house.  Even worse than that – it leads to death.

Let’s set aside out conspicuous consumptions and be content with our needs being met.  Then, we will open the way to give without sparing.  And we will work diligently to maintain a righteous relationship with everyone – even those poor in our sight.

Enough mumbling for today…

Peace Out