Proverbs 11 begins with, “A false balance is an abomination to the Lord, but a just weight is His delight.” It seems puzzling that God would be concerned with such everyday activities as weighing or measuring items associated with business. But of course, that is not the Lord’s focus. The principle is the practice of honesty in day-to-day activities of work, business, and commerce.
Verses 24-26 involve the same principle. “There is one who scatters, and yet increases all the more, and there is one who withholds what is justly due, and yet it results only in want. The generous man will be prosperous, and he who waters will himself be watered. He who withholds grain, the people will curse him, but blessing will be on the head of him who sells it.”
Living a life of righteousness is not something that is practiced on a particular day or with a specific group of people. Righteousness must include honesty and compassion every single day and in every single incident.
There are those that are determined to find success and wealth no matter what it takes. Shady business practices, taking advantage of people, charging more for less quality or quantity are all “part of doing business”. The tactics of such people may be successful at first, but in many cases the result is failure and ruin.
There are countless examples where a business would grow and become very successful, and the company would have a know reputation for integrity and quality. Then someone, or a group, takes over the business with the intent to do whatever it takes to increase profits and decrease expenses.
In a few years, that company is gone. Even if such people seem to successfully live unrighteousness lives now, the day will come where there will be a reckoning on the final day of Judgment.
For a Christian, there should be no question of how a person should act. The fruits of the Spirit described in Galatians clearly describe the qualities of Christian living. There is no place for shady practices or “little untruths”.
Each Christian has acknowledged Jesus Christ and Lord and King. Each Christian has been adopted into the family of God. Each Christian is to live a life that is a “living sacrifice”. There is the stated expectation that a Christian will live a different life that is guided by the Word of God.
Paul wrote in Romans 12 that living this kind of life is a person’s reasonable service to God. In fact, living a Christ-led life should be considered the minimum requirement!
Worldly ambition and plans end when this life is over. James wrote in James 4:13-16, “Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit.’ Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. Instead, you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that.’ But as it is, you boast in your arrogance; all such boasting is evil.”
Pride and arrogance are the fatal traits that lead to death.
Day-to-day living also involves more than simply business.
In many instances, neighbors live close enough to be able to overhear conversations or accidently witness events. There may to a temptation to “pass on” to someone else what was heard or seen. But there is a difference between reporting something involving a person’s health or illegal activities and being a gossip.
What does Proverbs 11:24 mean?
One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.Verses 24-26 involve the same principle. “There is one who scatters, and yet increases all the more, and there is one who withholds what is justly due, and yet it results only in want. The generous man will be prosperous, and he who waters will himself be watered. He who withholds grain, the people will curse him, but blessing will be on the head of him who sells it.”
Living a life of righteousness is not something that is practiced on a particular day or with a specific group of people. Righteousness must include honesty and compassion every single day and in every single incident.
There are those that are determined to find success and wealth no matter what it takes. Shady business practices, taking advantage of people, charging more for less quality or quantity are all “part of doing business”. The tactics of such people may be successful at first, but in many cases the result is failure and ruin.
There are countless examples where a business would grow and become very successful, and the company would have a know reputation for integrity and quality. Then someone, or a group, takes over the business with the intent to do whatever it takes to increase profits and decrease expenses.
In a few years, that company is gone. Even if such people seem to successfully live unrighteousness lives now, the day will come where there will be a reckoning on the final day of Judgment.
For a Christian, there should be no question of how a person should act. The fruits of the Spirit described in Galatians clearly describe the qualities of Christian living. There is no place for shady practices or “little untruths”.
Each Christian has acknowledged Jesus Christ and Lord and King. Each Christian has been adopted into the family of God. Each Christian is to live a life that is a “living sacrifice”. There is the stated expectation that a Christian will live a different life that is guided by the Word of God.
Paul wrote in Romans 12 that living this kind of life is a person’s reasonable service to God. In fact, living a Christ-led life should be considered the minimum requirement!
What does Proverbs 11:7 mean?
Verse 7 states, “When a wicked man dies, his expectation will perish, and the hope of strong men perishes.”Worldly ambition and plans end when this life is over. James wrote in James 4:13-16, “Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit.’ Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. Instead, you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that.’ But as it is, you boast in your arrogance; all such boasting is evil.”
Pride and arrogance are the fatal traits that lead to death.
What can we learn from Proverbs 11 2?
Proverbs 11:2 states, “When pride comes, then comes dishonor, but with the humble is wisdom.” At first, Solomon was a devout ruler. He loved God and lived an honorable, righteous life. But then he began to change. He was known for his great wisdom. Pride and, yes, arrogance may have begun to creep into his life. At the end, he was drawn away into paganism and sin.Day-to-day living also involves more than simply business.
What does proverb 11 12 mean?
Verse 12 states, “He who despises his neighbor lacks sense, but a man of understanding keeps silent.” Few people can pick the people that live near them. Some neighbors become life long friends; but other neighbors seem to be more of a problem or trial than a joy. But the kind of neighbor has nothing to do with how a righteous person is to interact with that person.In many instances, neighbors live close enough to be able to overhear conversations or accidently witness events. There may to a temptation to “pass on” to someone else what was heard or seen. But there is a difference between reporting something involving a person’s health or illegal activities and being a gossip.