Image: "Social Distancing Does Not Apply," 2009, Crescent City California Beach Scene, Photographer: Stephen Van Devender
Proverbs 12:22 Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD, But those who deal truthfully are His delight.
Proverbs 13:4 The soul of a lazy man desires, and has nothing; But the soul of the diligent shall be made rich.
Proverbs 13:14 The law of the wise is a fountain of life, To turn one away from the snares of death.
Proverbs 13:25 The righteous eats to the satisfying of his soul, But the stomach of the wicked shall be in want.
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These chapters lean toward the idea or the experience of "life quality" and, as do most proverbs, they highlight how far removed it is from that life given over to secular wisdom. The general theme is that "young men" (basically any naive person) are sure to fall prey to the traps of wrong thinking so prevalent in the culture around them. What is needed is an entirely different framework for thinking about life, about what's important in life and what is possible in life. They prove the author to be a clever observer of human nature.
Take Proverbs 12:9 Better is the one who is slighted but has a servant, Than he who honors himself but lacks bread. for example. We are all familiar with people who are quick to take offense. Whether from a deep seated insecurity or just plain ill-temper, these folks are quick to put their "dukes", verbal or otherwise. This makes them very hard to befriend and not someone people will want to employ or patronize. They "honor themselves", always resenting any perceived disrespect. This personality trait works against their present contentment and even prosperity. In their lives they "lack bread", either actual or emotional. Yet the person who is at peace in his own skin will not react or over-react to every little ping that comes their way. They will be "easy to get along with" and that will make their own lives a lot more pleasant. They bear a "slight" rather than take a chance on losing their "servant", the peace of their own soul.
Notice how strange this thought can be to those conditioned to having an "attitude." Their own resentful demeanor works against their own soul.
Now let's think about Proverbs 13:7 There is one who makes himself rich, yet has nothing; And one who makes himself poor, yet has great riches. When we first read these statements we stop in our tracks and mutter "What?" And that's exactly what a proverb is intended to do... to get our attention and then make us consider what it is saying. I would submit that as soon as we stop and think about this one its truth becomes clear almost immediately. Our response is... "Oh, of course..." and we move on. But let's just go through it anyway.
The writer here is simply saying that personal property, especially wealth, do not, in and of themselves, guarantee a "good life." If a man achieves great wealth, accumulates billions of dollars, but it requires so great a focus that it eats up his entire existence gaining it and keeping it, then that person is really not "rich" at all. He doesn't own the wealth, the wealth owns him. It is not uncommon to read of movie stars or entertainers who "have it all" and yet they die a solitary and miserable death at their own hands. They were wealthy but they were not "rich." In contrast it is entirely possible for a family to scrape by in life, one step ahead of the tax collector, who have disciplined themselves to live without most if not all the conveniences their neighbors possess, and yet be quite content.. even happy ... in their life. Jealousy is not automatic... it is a trait we choose. A person who is happy for their neighbor's earthly prosperity even when it is absent from their own life, may be richer than that neighbor. Now I am not suggesting that anyone should choose poverty if there is a godly way to avoid it. The whole point rather is to redefine "success." Success is the accumulation of wealth that does not rust, nor which any robber can take away from us. The Puritans taught us much about this idea and no one has improved on their message. We must count ourselves "blessed" in the things our God has given us to enjoy... and be at peace with our neighbors... this is where the true "riches" of ordinary human life can be found.
The other sayings listed above basically build on this same theme. We are called to look away from the false portraits painted by worldly focus. The "beautiful people" held up to us in advertising do not really exist. The hidden enclaves of powerful wealthy men and women, secured by iron gates and patrolled by a cadre of private guards, do not, in and of themselves, provide the kind of security and peace that satisfy the soul. We may wonder what it is like to live there... but we must remember that whatever humble home we possess can really be our palace. It's all a matter of perspective.
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