[:en]SCRIPTURE: PROVERBS 3
“Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man” (Proverbs 3:3-4)
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5-6)
“Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones” (Proverb 3:7-8)
“Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine” (Proverbs 3:9-10)
“My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline and do not resent his rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in” (Proverbs 3:12-13)
“My son, preserve sound judgment and discernment, do not let them out of your sight; they will be life for you, an ornament to grace your neck. Then you will go on your way in safety, and your foot will not stumble” (Proverbs 3:21-23)
“Do not envy a violent man or choose any of his ways, for the Lord detests a perverse man but takes the upright into his confidence” (Proverbs 3:31-32)
WISE TEACHINGS:
- Your Heart (vs. 3, 5) – Bind love and faithfulness in your neck and write them in the tablet of your heart. Trust in the Lord with all your heart. He will make your path straight and bring health to you body.
- Your Wealth (v. 9) – Use your wealth to honor God. Put God first in the way you use your money.
- Your conduct (v. 21) – Preserve sound judgment and discernment. Let the Lord be your confidence to keep you in safety.
- Your neighbor (v. 28, 33-34) – Be gracious to the needy. Share what you have. Do not plot harm against your neighbor. Be a blessing to those around you. For the Lord will bless the home of righteous, give grace to the humble and bestow honor to the wise.
FURTHER BENEFITS OF WISDOM:
- Good name (v. 4)
- Healthy body (v. 8)
- Long life (v. 16)
- Riches and honor (v. 16)
- Pleasant ways and peaceful path (v. 17)
- Safe way (v. 23)
- Sweet sleep (v. 24)
THE DO’S
- Keep my commands in your heart (v. 1)
- Let love and faithfulness never leave you (v. 3)
- Trust the Lord with all your heart (v. 5)
- Acknowledge him in all your ways (v. 6)
- Fear the Lord and shun evil (v. 7b)
- Honor the Lord with your wealth (v. 9)
- Find wisdom and gain understanding (v. 13)
- Preserve sound judgment and discernment (v. 21)
THE DON’TS
- Do not forget my teachings (v. 1a)
- Do not be wise in your own eyes (v. 7a)
- Do not despise the Lord’s discipline and do not resent His rebuke (v. 11)
- Do not withhold goods from those who deserve it when it is in your power to act (v. 27)
- Do not say to your neighbor ‘Come back later; I will give it tomorrow’ when you now have it with you (v. 28)
- Do not plot harm against your neighbor who lives trustfully near you (v. 29)
- Do not accuse a man for no reason when he has done you no harm (v. 30)
- Do not envy a violent man or choose any of his ways (v. 31)
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