June 9 - Proverbs 19-21: Riches Gained Honestly Help the Poor

Today’s Reading: Proverbs 19-21

The Message

English Standard Version

Thought to Guide Your Reading

God examines our inner reasons behind our outer actions.

Summary in 100 Words or Less

Wealth is a great help, but only if acquired honestly. Poor people wrongly blame God for their poverty.
Wealth is passed on by parents but a good wife comes from God alone.
Mercy given to the poor is a loan to God. God never defaults.
Too much alcohol is not fun.
Leaders should have a keen eye for shoddy work.
Develop a plan with wise people as your guides.
God will settle scores.
God hates when customers cheat or are cheated.
Clean living is better than religious piety.
Hope for good. Prepare for the worst. Trust God to bring victory.

How Today’s Reading Contributes to the Gospel: God is Setting All Things Right

Riches are a great help—if they are acquired honestly.

Everyone wants to be rich. But lately there is a famous saying going around, "more money, more problems." Solomon would write it differently, "more money gained unjustly, more problems." Riches can be helpful to supply needs, gain friends, and help the poor. What dictates whether riches help or hurt is in the attitude for gaining riches. Riches gained with humility are blessings from God. Riches gained from dishonesty or boasting cause great problems. It is better to be poor than be a liar. However, having riches also gives the opportunity and the resources to help the poor. Riches are God's way of telling you it is time to help others.

Allow angry fools to be trapped on their own.

The problem with helping fools with their anger is that they neither want help nor will accept it when it arrives. They will eventually get angry with you and nothing will be accomplished. It is much better to let them to learn on their own through their own mistakes. Love angry, quick-tempered fools by allowing them to fall on their own.

Do not cheat in the marketplace.

This idea is repeated twice in the same chapter. Solomon wants people to understand—wrong practices which hurt customers or business owners are rejected by God. There are no they-can-afford-it excuses. Wrong practices are always wrong.

Those who search for goodness and life find both!

God is found where goodness and life intersect. If you want to find God, search there.

Do you live an honest life?

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