Proverbs 10:1:(KJV):"The proverbs of Solomon.

A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother." This verse compares a wise son to a foolish one and how their individual actions affect their parents. A son who follows the Lord in wisdom brings his parents joy and rest. A foolish, rebellious son grieves them. Around the world, a breakdown between the generations has occurred. Whenever a generation fails to follow God, a national moral decline begins. The sins that one generation tolerates, the next one practices in extreme. The younger generation soon forgets the God of their fathers and a breach occurs between the young and old. The generation just before the Second Coming of Jesus Christ will come under a terrible curse unless God intervenes and heals the division of the generations (Malachi 4:5-6, Luke 1:17). We are approaching that time; ours could be that generation. Today Satan tries to destroy families through the sins of the fathers as well as the sins of the sons. Families will be mended only when both fathers and sons turn back to God. (Fathers and sons encompasses mothers and daughters as well; I believe it also includes church fathers and their spiritual sons since there has been much division in the church as well.) God desires both families and churches to walk in His love and unity. The curse of strife and division can be mended, if we seek the Lord and walk in His love and forgiveness. And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord (Luke 1:17). According to Malachi 4:6 and Luke 1:17, healing must begin with the fathers. Being more mature, parents must reach out to rebellious children with forgiveness, prayer, and love. God will show us how to mend broken relationships as we seek Him. We who are parents must have patience and faith that the Lord will bring our natural and spiritual children back to Himself. God promises that our children will be delivered and blessed: Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered (Proverbs 11:21). I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread. He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed (Psalm 37:25-26). Proverbs 10:2-3:(KJV): "Treasures of wickedness profit nothing: but righteousness delivereth from death. 3 The LORD will not suffer the soul of the righteous to famish: but he casteth away the substance of the wicked." Verse 2 The riches that belong to the wicked will not deliver them from death. At some point, every man comes to the end of himself, and realizes that money cannot buy the things that really matter. Riches follow no one to the grave, and there is only one way to escape the punishment of hell waiting on the other sideit is through Jesus Christ. He took our sins and punishment upon Himself on the cross. If we repent and accept Him as Savior, we will not face hell, but rather live with Him in heaven. Gods original plan for man did not include death or hell. Hell

was created for Satan and his evil angels (Matthew 25:41). Men are going there because they are deceived into following Satans ways. No man can attain the righteousness which delivers one from hell outside of receiving the righteousness of Christ. This is a sin-cursed world. We are all born into sin. We do not have to remain in sin, however. If we ask God to help us forsake our sins, He will. The only redemption for any of us is in Christ. We must ask Jesus into our hearts and allow Him to live His life through us; then we will have His righteousness and can live an overcoming life. When we accept Jesus as our Lord, death holds no fear for us, because He conquered death and hell by rising from the dead. As His children, we have been given victory over the devil and no longer have to live in fear, sickness, poverty, or any other curse. Verse 3 As Gods righteous people, our souls need never be famished. If we come with a humble heart and ask Him to meet our needs, He promises to provide. He gives strength to the weary; courage to the fearful; healing to the sick; peace to the angry; comfort to the wounded; guidance to the troubled and the list goes on and on. The world knows nothing about the wondrous things God freely gives His childrenthings no amount of money can buy! Many people lose their riches because they are not serving God, who casts away the substance of the wicked. Sometimes, through loss, people will turn to God. The Lord does not desire us to come to Him this way, but rather, simply to surrender to His will. When we do, worldly riches will mean nothing to us compared to the riches that we will find in Christ. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man seeking goodly pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it (Matthew 13:4546). Proverbs 10:4-5:(KJV): "He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich. 5 He that gathereth in summer is a wise son: but he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame." Verse 4 These verses deal with the practical matter of our work ethic. One will become poor if he deals with a slack hand, that is, to be remiss about the things that we have charge over and slack off. Many people have this type of approach to their work. They do the least amount of work that they can do without jeopardizing their jobs. These people will always have to accept lesser-paying jobs because they will never be promoted. Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; with good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free. And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven;

neither is there respect of persons with him (Ephesians 6:5-9). In the scripture above, employees would be in the servant (performing services) position, while the boss would be in the master position. Paul gives instructions for both. Employers are accountable to God for their treatment of their employees. Employees are to submit to an employers orders unless it requires immoral action. We must not work simply to please our employers, but more importantly, to please our Lord. If we have this attitude, God, who sees our labor and desire to please Him, will reward us. Sometimes employers are unfair and do not appreciate good workers enough to raise their salaries. If we feel that we are being mistreated, we must take our case to God. He will defend us and show us what to do. However, we must keep our hearts right and not speak ill of our employer to fellow-workers. We should pray for those in authority and allow the Holy Spirit to help us to deal with problems on the job in a godly way. Verse 5 Every farmer who has a son would desire him to be like the wise son in this verse. This son does not slack off in the summer, but works to help gather in the harvest. A lazy son who sleeps during this very critical time certainly brings shame to his family by failing to do his part. If his father does not have enough workers, his laziness could cause the loss of the harvest and bring poverty to the whole family. We can apply this spiritually also. Our heavenly Father asks His children to help Him bring in a harvest of souls for His kingdom. We have only a small window of time to get the job done for our Father. We must not slumber, but toil while we can, for a time is coming when we cannot labor (John 9:4). We do not want to be sons who bring their Father shame.

Proverbs 10:6-11:(KJV): "Blessings are upon the head of the just: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked. 7 The memory of the just is blessed: but the name of the wicked shall rot. 8 The wise in heart will receive commandments: but a prating fool shall fall. 9 He that walketh uprightly walketh surely: but he that perverteth his ways shall be known. 10 He that winketh with the eye causeth sorrow: but a prating fool shall fall. 11 The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked. Verse 6 Throughout Scripture we are told that we will reap what we sow. If we follow Scriptural advice, we will receive Gods blessings. If we disregard it and continue to sin, we will receive the evil that sin produces.

Verse 7 People remember what kind of things we do in life. History records the deeds of the wicked and the just, as does the Bible. This verse tells us that we will remember fondly the deeds of just people and bless them, while the names of wicked men leave a rotten memory. Even in families, honorable members are recalled with admiration, while shame attends the memory of the black sheep. We should take inventory of our lives and ask ourselves what kind of legacy we are leaving behind us. Verses 8-9 Those who walk according to Gods Word take sure steps, since they are led by Gods Spirit. Fools fall because they do not walk uprightly; those who pervert their lives eventually will be found out. We are known by our deeds (Proverbs20:11). Many Christians say the right things, but their lives reveal that they do not walk the talk. Jesus describes them in Matthew 15:8: This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. Verses 10-11 Winking is often a signal that one is teasing or flirting. As used in verse 10, it indicates insidious designs toward someone. This kind of winking is done with impure intentions. Crafty people are often successful in their schemes against the nave. By contrast, the plans of fools usually fail and they themselves are ruined. A prating fool boasts idly, damaging both his own and others lives. The word, prating means one who chatters foolishly and is an idle blabber mouth. It is emotional violence to speak ugly things about others. Scripture warns us to guard our mouths and speak only what is edifying, for we reap the effects of our words. A mans belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled. Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof (Proverbs 18:2021). Let us speak what brings life, and not what brings curses and death. Proverbs 10:12-14:(KJV):"Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins. 13 In the lips of him that hath understanding wisdom is found: but a rod is for the back of him that is void of understanding. 14 Wise men lay up knowledge: but the mouth of the foolish is near destruction." Verse 12 Hostile people are always stirring up strife. Whoever embraces hatred soon finds that this emotion cannot be confined to only ones enemies, but will spill over toward friends and break out against those whom one does not wish to hurt. It is the nature of sin to grow, if it is not restrained. If we do not resist it, it overpowers us and becomes our master. By harboring hatred, we can become consumed with a spirit of hatred and find ourselves unable to hate selectively. Those who choose to love and forgive others will not be mastered by sin. We can conquer hateful thoughts by asking the Lord to enable us to love those who mistreat us. We cannot do this ourselves: only the Holy Spirit can empower us to overcome hatred. We can receive it as a miracle of love. As we grow in Him, we will not want to expose peoples sins but rather cover them. Digging up and exposing the sins of others has always been a popular pastime of the ungodly. Gossip-mongers usually do this for political reasons. Many good people in the public eye are censured unmercifully for past mistakes. I do not refer to corrupt

leaders who openly sin; they reap what they sow and their own sins find them out. Verse 13 Those who lack understanding will feel the rod of correction. In early times, wicked deeds were punished by public beatings. A rod is a stick or staff. Every sin carries a penalty. The greater the sin, the greater the penalty. Jesus died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins. All of us deserve to be sentenced to hell, and without Christs sacrifice, all of us would be. By repenting, asking for His forgiveness and inviting Him into our hearts, we can escape hell and gain a home in heaven. Verse 14 Hosea 4:6 says: My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. If we wish to be wise, we will store up knowledge. Many Christians foolishly speak evil and bring destruction into their lives because they do not know Gods Word. We should not allow negative things, contrary to Gods Word, to come out of our mouths. Proverbs 10:15-17:(KJV): 15 The rich man's wealth is his strong city: the destruction of the poor is their poverty. 16 The labour of the righteous tendeth to life: the fruit of the wicked to sin. 17 He is in the way of life that keepeth instruction: but he that refuseth reproof erreth. Verse 15 Some are born into wealth, others into poverty. Neither condition can prevent someone from serving God. Some think that a rich person cannot serve God because money is the root of all evil. This is an inaccurate quote of 1 Timothy 6:10, which actually says that the love of money is the root of all evil (my emphasis). Sin is not in things, but in the heart of man. Money is simply a medium of exchange. Used correctly, it can further Gods work. The spirit of mammon and the love of money, however, ruin many people. 1Timothy6:17-19 warns the wealthy not to trust in riches or become arrogant. While they may enjoy what money can buy, they are charged to use their wealth properly; to distribute riches to those in need and to the work of the Gospel. They are to store up eternal rewardsto obtain true riches, which cannot be bought. Jesus said, If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? (Luke 16:11). What are the true riches? The true riches are the righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience and meekness mentioned in 1 Timothy 6:10-12. Verse 16 Because Gods blessings always follow His obedient children, one can rise above ones lot in life even if born into poverty. Wherever the Gospel is preached, those who come to know Christ will begin to overcome poverty, filth,

and ignorance. Poverty is not from God, but we can at times be subject to it. Even so, every Christian is promised the provision of his needs. The poor may ask God for daily bread; the rich, guidance in all the responsibilities that come with wealth. We can grow in Christ to the point where we can say with Paul I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me (Philippians4:11-13). Verse 17 To walk in the way of life, we need Gods instruction and must be reproved at times to avoid what leads to ruin and poverty. Some lose their riches and must work their way out of poverty. Those in this situation need to ask God why it happened; if making money had become more important than serving Him. We should all have a teachable spirit so that God can correct us and we can walk in victory. Proverbs 10:18-21(KJV): 18 He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool. 19 In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise. 20 The tongue of the just is as choice silver: the heart of the wicked is little worth. 21 The lips of the righteous feed many: but fools die for want of wisdom."
These verses deal with the words that we speak. Notice the words listed in reference to speaking: lips, lying, utterances, words, and the tongue. Verse 18 Scripture refers to slanderers as foolish. Those who hide feelings of hatred, and then lie about it, are also fools. The things we say and the things we pray will either bless, or harm others. James 3:210 tells us how deadly the tongue can be. Unless we allow the Lord to help us control our mouths, we can be guilty of cursing others. Verse 19 Those who speak continuously will end up sinning, because they do not take time to ponder what they should say. Incessant speech is a way of monopolizing attention and a sign of selfishness. Incessant talkers usually have problems with unrestrained emotions. They speak out of the soulish realm instead of allowing the Spirit to guide what they say. If they are angry, everyone knows about it. If they do not feel well, they describe every symptom. If they have problems, they recount them in detail. These troubled souls need to ask the Lord to help them to take the advice found in Proverbs to be prudent; to guard what they say and restrain themselves from speaking so much. Verse 20 Those who ask the Lord to fill their mouths with wise, kind, and edifying things will be a blessing to all. Their speech will lift others up, and everyone around them will love to talk to them. Those who encourage others never lack friends. Words of truth spoken in love are valuable, like choice silver. By contrast, the wicked, who are out of harmony with God, will speak things from their corrupt hearts that are of little value. Verse 21 Righteous people, through spoken or written words, feed many peoples souls. Praying for those who are angry, depressed, or gossipers releases the Holy Spirit to change them. Fools die for lack of understanding and heart. This is all the more reason to pray for them, so they will have a chance to repent and be touched by the Lord.

Proverbs 10:22-26: 22 The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it. 23 It is as sport to a fool to do mischief: but a man of understanding hath wisdom. 24 The fear of the wicked, it shall come upon him: but the desire of the righteous shall be granted. 25 As the whirlwind passeth, so is the wicked no more: but the righteous is an everlasting foundation. 26 As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to them that send him

Verse 22 God grants prosperity without sorrow to those who obey Him. Rich people who fail to share their wealth find sorrow attached to it, for they fear losing it. Fear has torment and is a form of sorrow. So is loneliness. The rich are surrounded by many people, but few friends. Their money attracts swindlers and those looking for a free ride. They often buy friends, and their wealth can replace God in their hearts. It then becomes a curse, robbing them of peace and joy. Verse 23 Some time ago, my husband and I visited a coastal city under hurricane warning. We stayed indoors and turned on the television. News reporters tracking the storm interviewed a crowd of people drinking and having a hurricane party on a nearby island. Everyone was warned to leave the island, since the hurricane was expected to strike there before hitting the mainland. One drunken young man made sport of the situation. Scoffing at the warnings, he boasted that he was not afraid of a windstorm. One reporter stayed on the island and filmed the terrifying effects of the hurricane as it hit the hotel. Large windows facing the ocean were suddenly blown in by fierce winds. The explosion of glass and water sent the partygoers and the reporter running to the basement for cover. In the last shots filmed, I noticed the young man who had dismissed the storm, running in terror. The thing he had scoffed at had become a reality that he could not control. He was the epitome of a self-confident fool. A worse predicament than that young mans awaits those who mock God. Eventually, they will face His wrath, and not the fury of a mere hurricane. God warns man to leave his sin before he is judged for it, just as the people were warned to leave the island before the hurricane struck. The wise will submit to God now. Verses 24-26 To walk in rebellion is to walk in Satans territory and make ourselves easy targets. God is not punishing us when things go wrong; it is the result of our walking away from His protection. To step back under it, we must

repent, but even then, fear may torment us. If we submit to God and resist the devil, then he must flee, and we can walk in Gods grace (James 4:7-8). As a tornado destroys everything in its path, Satan destroys the wicked. The righteous, however, will stand through lifes storms because Jesus Christ is their firm foundation (Romans6:23). No one wants to send a sluggard (lazy person) to do a job. God does not choose such a person for His work either. If we desire to be used of God, we must learn how to work well for people. God commissions faithful people who do not shirk responsibility. Proverbs 10:27-30(KJV): 27 The fear of the LORD prolongeth days: but the years of the wicked shall be shortened. 28 The hope of the righteous shall be gladness: but the expectation of the wicked shall perish. 29 The way of the LORD is strength to the upright: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity. 30 The righteous shall never be removed: but the wicked shall not inhabit the earth. Verses 27-30 These scriptures teach us how to live a long life. We are told that if we fear the Lord, the days of our lives will be increased. However, if we become wicked, our days will be shortened. How do we know when it is our time to go? Is the death of a young person the will of God? Should we take the attitude, that what ever will be, will be? We must search the scriptures for the answers to these questions. According to verse 27, man does have some control over how long he lives. Certainly God has set boundaries on the life span of men, as we find in Genesis 6:3">Genesis 6:3; He set their days at 120 years. Later, Psalm 90:8-10 laments that iniquity and sin further reduced mans life span to 70 or 80 years. When God created man, His plan was that we live forever. However, when Adam and Eve disobeyed God, it brought death not only to them, but to all people born after them. Though Adam sinned, God had a plan to redeem his offspring. He sent His Son Jesus Christ to live a sinless life, and through the sacrifice of His death on the cross for mans sins, we can receive eternal life as God intended. When we receive Him as our Savior, we are no longer subject to the death principle that works in the lives of others. We are now partakers of abundant life (John10:10). The first few generations of men lived very long lives. In fact, they lived to be hundreds of years old. Methuselah, the oldest man in the world, lived 969 years. Adam lived to be 930 years old (Genesis 5:3-4). Because these men were created and placed in a perfect world, it took some time for sin to increase to the point where God reduced their life span (Genesis 6). Psalm 91:14-16, Ephesians 6:1-3, and Deuteronomy 30:17-20 all support the view that long life is our portion as a child of God. If the devil tries to come

against us with sickness, we can call on God and He will save us and extend our life. The Bible tells of two men who never died physically: Enoch (Genesis 5:2324) and Elijah (2 Kings 2:11). There is even the possibility of escaping death, if we live an obedient life and have the faith that they did. In fact, there will be a generation at the coming of the Lord who will not experience death, but will be changed at the twinkling of an eye and caught up with Christ. We may be that generation that will overcome the last enemy of death (1 Corinthians15:51-55). With all these verses in mind, we can see that sin cuts our lives short, while righteousness increases our days. Proverbs 10:31-32(KJV): 31 The mouth of the just bringeth forth wisdom: but the froward tongue shall be cut out. 32 The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable: but the mouth of the wicked speaketh frowardness.
Verses 31-32 When I was young, children would often quote the saying: Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me. After studying the Bible, I realize that this old adage is not true. Derogatory names and harsh words are harmful, both to the person addressed and the speaker. Words are powerful. Lawyers use powerful words to build cases. Our nations laws consist of volumes of words. National treaties are formed by words. Words announce the daily news and enable us to communicate with each other. God used words to create the universe, speaking everything into existence (Genesis 1). The Bible is the Word of God. Jesus Himself is referred to as the living Word (John 1:1). Words are powerful! Gods Word has much to say about how we should speak. Biblically, praying for Gods blessing or speaking good and uplifting words to someone is referred to as blessing. Speaking evil against someone or wishing ill toward them is referred to as cursing. Curse words or cussing originated from speaking evil words. Profanity is using Gods Name in vain or speaking irreverently of Him. It ranges from mild expletives to horrible blasphemies. Society accepts foul language as normal. Popular films and television programs depict it as a way to vent anger or verbally assault others. Such use demonstrates that cursing is wrong because it demeans others. Jesus said that cursing points to evil in the heart. It is common today for both men and women to curse and never consider it as an indication of evil in their hearts. They view it as inconsequential, as something everyone does. Scripture teaches that this little matter of cursing and using Gods Name in vain defiles the whole person. Have you ever wondered why people do not use the names of gods of other religions when they curse? The names that the devil hates are God Christ Jesus Christ and Jesus. Terms about hell and heaven are also used in derogatory ways. The very misuse of these words proves the existence of God and the reality of a heaven and hell. Neither adults nor children should use bad language, if we are to be like our Lord. We do not have to use curse words to emphasize our intentions (Colossians 3:8; Matthew5:37). Proverbs states that God accepts the words of the righteous, but the words of the wicked will one day be cut off, along with those who speak them. Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer (Psalm 19:14).

Proverbs 10:1

The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother.
It is good to remember who wrote the jewels of wisdom called proverbs. Since he wrote primarily to his son and young men, each son should consider his relationship to his parents. Not until he is a parent will he understand the joy and grief he can cause by his choices and actions. Let every young man consider his mother, his father, and His Father. Solomon wrote the proverbs in the Bible, including this one. You are very blessed to have the world's wisest king as your personal tutor. And the LORD God inspired the selection of these few from the three thousand he wrote (I Kgs 4:32). The righteous can rejoice for having secret wisdom from heaven concisely defined in short pithy statements for them and their families. See the comments on 25:1. Give God the glory! The world can make fun of the Bible all they want. Let them look to monkeys as their ancestors, debt as their economic panacea, unruly children as their future, lazy employees as their work force, corrupt officials as their government, liberated professional women as their wives and mothers, and financial scams as the road to success. The handwriting of disaster is already on the wall, and it will only get worse. Saints will rule in the end! The first nine chapters are introductory, with long and continuing instruction contrasting divine wisdom to sinful folly. We are at this point introduced to what are more properly proverbs - short and unconnected sentences setting forth profound wisdom for every part of life. While the whole book is proverbs, here are the individual jewels deserving our rapt attention as we examine them to enjoy every facet. The first one we have, in our text, points to the value of godly training for the joy and deliverance of parents. If these proverbs are taught and required of children, such parents will realize the full blessing of a godly seed for their great pleasure and God's glory. If these proverbs are neglected, the future is bleak, with calamitous heaviness instead. Child, have you thought about your parents today? They each lived your life before you were born! So way back then, they together were twice as wise as you are now! Since your birth, they have accumulated much more wisdom and experience, while you took years learning not to mess on yourself, and to get food in your mouth instead of your ear! Your dear mother was nauseated, hot, and heavy as she carried you; but she already loved you and had wonderful thoughts for your life, as she decorated the nursery at home. Pregnancy, birth, and nursing took a toll on her body, yet she constantly doted on you! She cleaned your messes and fed you many times daily, and all you did was cry for more! Later, when you struggled to make a tricycle, then a bicycle, work, your father managed his soul, his marriage, his job, his finances, his house, his car, and you, among many other things! He generated you, chose and provided for your mother, and daily invested in you, hoping for a wise and righteous son, who would grow in favor with God and man. But most sons are too selfish, shortsighted, silly, and stupid to know how important their actions are to their parents. They cannot think beyond the next five minutes, and their only thought is to fill those five minutes with pleasure. The responsibility of being a parent is more than their mind and soul could handle, even if by a miracle they chose to try! Mature thoughts of future matters will not tickle a single brain cell until they are fathers, and only then will they think about how much their parents did and deserve. A foolish son is the calamity of his father (Pr 19:13). It is one of his worst nightmares. The pain of seeing so much time, expense, effort, and affection go to waste sucks the life from his soul. It tears at his heart and spirit. Hear the cry of David for his foolish son Absalom, "And the king was much moved, and went up to the chamber over the gate, and wept: and as he went, thus he said, O my son

Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! would God I had died for thee, O Absalom, my son, my son!" (II Sam 18:33). Consider both Isaac and Rebekah's grief at Esau's foolishness in marrying unbelievers (Gen 26:34-35; 27:46). If a son will consider these things and be wise, his father will rejoice. "My son, be wise, and make my heart glad, that I may answer him that reproacheth me" (Pr 27:11). Solomon came from a horrible family, and he well knew the joy of a wise and virtuous son, so he emphasized the point often (Pr 15:20; 17:21,25; 19:13; 23:15-16,24-25; 29:3). Likewise with mothers, you can be a great source of gladness in her heart (Pr 23:25). Or you can be a painful source of bitter heaviness (Pr 17:25; 29:15). How many mothers' hearts have been broken by willful and wayward children? Only the LORD knows such large numbers! The heart that almost daily burst with pleasure and affection caring for the newborn is torn deeply by the willful disobedience and foolishness of the sinful teenager. Child, forget birthday cards, anniversary cards, and such things, if you must. But don't forsake wisdom and righteousness - these two things will bring far more parental pleasure! Instead of taking your parents to dinner, take your wife and children to dinner and love them like a perfect Christian husband and father. It will mean far more. Honor your father today. Obey his instructions. Keep his commandments. Answer his questions. Communicate openly with him. You will never meet another person in life who cares for you the same way and to the same degree your father cares. Honor your mother today. Keep the law of her mouth. Do her simple requests, now. Make your bed. Clean your room. Be virtuous. Avoid foolish girls and women. "Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old" (Pr 23:22). Father, consider this proverb yourself. Future joy or bitterness, for both you and your wife, are largely your choice today. Will you love and train your children faithfully, or will you neglect them to the heavy pain of both your souls? It is your choice. The wisdom of this proverb cuts both ways. Do you deserve wise and faithful children? Or do you deserve many dark years of public shame and reproach revealing you as a slothful parent? Faithful training will bear fruit - they will not depart from it in time to come (Pr 22:6). Reader, how well do you honor your Father in heaven? If you are a child of God, then He is your Father in a very dear and personal way. The wiser we are in leaving this world's foolishness and seeking Him, the more He will rejoice and draw close to us (II Cor 6:14-18; Jas 4:8; I Chr 28:9; II Chr 15:2; Rev 3:20). If we trouble Him, He will trouble us! Our blessed Jesus was the perfect Son to Mary, Joseph, and God. The Bible plainly tells us He obeyed His earthly parents (Luke 2:51). A woman who saw Him knew Mary was a very blessed mother (Luke 11:27). His happy mother followed Him during His life and watched him die (John 19:25-27). And His Heavenly Father? Hear Him declare, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased" (Matt 3:17). Let us follow His example.

Proverbs 10:2
Treasures of wickedness profit nothing: but righteousness delivereth from death.
Crime does not pay! Sin will not succeed! Wickedness cannot profit, no matter how much wealth you temporarily pile up. You cannot buy God off from judgment in this life or the next. Righteousness is the key to a successful life, and it will deliver you from several deaths. Are you committed to

righteousness, even if it means earthly poverty? Wicked men may prosper for a while. Do not envy them; it is an illusion - terrible judgment is coming soon (Pr 3:31-32; 23:17-18; Ps 37:1-3; 73:1-20)! Do not copy them; sin will not work, and you will lose (Pr 11:4; Ps 49:6-14; Luke 12:15-21; Jas 5:1-3). The rich man fared sumptuously every day, but he could not prolong his life or buy his way into heaven. In fact, he could not even buy a drop of water for his tongue (Luke 16:19-21). Ahab and Jezebel murdered Naboth to steal his vineyard, but the wine it produced could not cheer the heart of a holy God! Vengeance is mine, saith the Lord! They appeared to be gaining in real property by the wicked conspiracy; but a chance arrow killed Ahab, and dogs licked his blood and ate Jezebel (I Kgs 21:1-16; 22:37-38; II Kgs 9:30-37). If you get ahead by wickedness, it is only for a moment. Judas's pleasure at thirty pieces of silver did not last long, as his scattered bowels have testified for two millennia (Acts 1:18-19). Achan's family rued the day he took of Jericho's riches (Josh 7:19-26). Gehazi could not trade his theft for the cure of leprosy (II Kgs 5:20-27). Ananias and Sapphira held back some money by deceit, but they did not take any of it with them (Acts 5:1-11). The King of Assyria, whom God sovereignly used to punish Israel, heaped up treasures of wickedness by his greedy, conquering heart (Is 10:5-14); but the same God tore him to shreds when his usefulness was over (Is 10:15-19). The harlot church of Babylon - Roman Catholicism and her Protestant daughters - has taken treasures by wickedness; but the Lord Jesus Christ is coming to grind her to powder (Rev 17:1-6; 18:1-24)! Crime does not pay! Sin will not succeed! "The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death. The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them; because they refuse to do judgment" (Pr 21:6-7). "As the partridge sitteth on eggs, and hatcheth them not; so he that getteth riches, and not by right, shall leave them in the midst of his days, and at his end shall be a fool" (Jer 17:11). "But righteousness delivereth from death," Solomon wrote. The righteousness of Jesus Christ will deliver His elect from the second death - eternity in the lake of fire - by the book of life (Rev 20:11-15; Rom 5:19; II Cor 5:21). But it is by personal righteousness you avoid death of your fellowship with God (Jas 5:19-20; Rev 3:1), bodily death by chastening (I Cor 11:28-34), and lay hold of eternal life (Ps 15:1-5; I Tim 6:11-12). While many fear or do not understand the importance of personal righteousness, it is the certain emphasis of God's word. The modern invention of a mere decision determining your eternal destiny is heresy. Believing and calling on the name of Jesus Christ are nothing without obedience to His commandments (Matt 7:21-23; Luke 6:46; John 5:29; Acts 10:34-35; Phil 3:8-14; I Tim 6:17-19; Heb 5:9; James 2:14-16; II Pet 1:5-11). Do you envy the treasures of the wicked? Do you wish for their pleasures, riches, and comforts? The exchange is not nearly worth it. Solomon judged, "Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right" (Pr 16:8). And Jesus confirmed it by teaching, "For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" (Matt 16:26.)

Proverbs 10:3
The LORD will not suffer the soul of the righteous to famish: but he casteth away the substance of the wicked.

The LORD Jehovah has total economic power. Let nations legislate, central banks inflate, business schools educate, or thieves confiscate; they can do nothing against Him. The rule is simple - He provides for the righteous, and He destroys the wealth of the wicked. Jacob was the poorest man in Canaan - running for his life with only a staff; but when he returned 20 years later, he had to cross Jordan in two groups (Gen 32:10)! Joseph was the poorest man in Egypt - a foreign slave convicted of attempted rape; but 22 years later he sent a gift of his wealth that revived his dear father (Gen 45:27)! Give God the glory! Widow Ruth and orphan Esther, both in strange lands, had nothing; but one became the rich mother of a kingly line, and the other queen of the world. David was the forgotten eighth son, left in the fields to live with the sheep; but in a few years he could not account for the wealth he had gathered for the temple (I Chr 22:14). Put your trust in the LORD! David said, "I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread" (Ps 37:25). The Son of David said, "Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?" (Matt 6:26.) Pharaoh ruled the most advanced and prosperous nation on earth; but when he did not give the LORD proper reverence, God bankrupted the nation (Ex 10:7; 12:36; 15:14)! The greatest monarch in the history of the world was King Nebuchadnezzar; but God reduced him to shame with a beast's heart and living like an animal (Dan 4:31-33). Lot invested in the best market, but chose a worldly life; God reduced him to poverty in a cave with his daughters. Devout Jews, regathered to Jerusalem, did not put the temple first; God put holes in their purses and blew against their efforts (Hag 1:1-11; Mal 3:11). "There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD" (Pr 21:30). You cannot play with the most high God. Be sure your sin will find you out, and diminish you! You are going down! Read Zophar's scathing indictment of hypocrites (Job 20:4-9)! The first rule of Bible economics is to obey God. Hannah knew, "The LORD maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up" (I Sam 2:7). Seek first the kingdom of God, and He will take care of all your needs (Matt 6:31-33). He takes care of sparrows, and you are of much greater value than many sparrows (Matt 10:29-31). Amen.

Proverbs 10:4
He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.
Poverty or riches, the choice is yours! You will make the choice today, tomorrow, and the next day. The man who applies himself diligently to his profession or other duties will be rich, but the man who is a slacker, or sluggard, will be poor. The choice is yours! A great temptation for men, especially young men, is laziness about work. Solomon often warned against this error, and here he uses synecdoche to represent a man by his hand. He used arm (Pr 31:17), soul (Pr 13:4), or the whole man (Pr 22:29) at other times. Since the hand is a figure of speech for the whole man, do not be distracted by it. However, sluggards like to keep them in their pockets or folded against their chests (Pr 19:24), which surely brings their lives to ruin (Eccl 10:18). And it is a fact some employers note the handshake of an applicant, for they are fearful of the limp, effeminate, weak handshake of a slothful and timid loser.

Working for pay or profit is a privilege and blessing (Eccl 9:10). The godly man attacks daily tasks with zeal and force. If he is consistently diligent, all other things being equal, he will quickly and greatly surpass the man who is lazy, slow, and avoids hard work. This is the law of God, and it is a simple lesson to teach children. Diligent work brings financial reward, and it can bring its own reward in a job well done. A slack hand represents the man who is lacking in energy or diligence, inclined to be lazy or idle, remiss, careless, or negligent or lax in regard to his duties. A slacker is a slack person, who shirks work or avoids exertion. This kind of person puts off work as long as he can; he resents real labor; he hates tasks requiring focus and effort. The slacker always has conceited excuses for his laziness; he will reject sound reasons from even seven men who warn him (Pr 26:16)! He has an evil disease, laziness, and will not listen to wisdom. Dear reader, crush your thoughts and believe the proverb! Solomon learned more in a day than you will learn in a lifetime, and he wrote by the inspiration of the omniscient God, Who knows all things. What are the slacker's excuses? He loves sleeping (Pr 20:13), which ruins men and women and brings poverty (Pr 6:6-11; 24:30-34). He loves folding lazy hands and huddling under covers in the morning. He loves the snooze button on the alarm. He loves turning back and forth in bed like a door on hinges (Pr 26:14). He hates mornings. He is too dumb and addicted to sleep to realize that extra sleep just makes him sleepier (Pr 19:15). He resents adversity or difficulty (Pr 20:4). He will not plow by reason of the cold. He is always looking for a "snow day" to take the day off. Instead of putting on a coat and working anyway, he loves any excuse to stay home or avoid a difficult job. The blessed God will put extra thorns in his way to tear him (Pr 15:19; 22:5)! He is intimidated by challenges (Pr 22:13; 26:13). He imagines a lion in the way. His favorite words are, "I can't do it," and, "It won't work." Long-term business or career plans are overwhelming. He wants something easier, success that will fall in his lap. So instead of tackling the challenge, he does nothing (Pr 26:14-15). But ever since Adam chose hard labor instead of dressing the Garden, he has no easy alternative. He resents authority and being told what to do by another (Pr 19:10; 27:18; 30:22). This socialist thinks a tribe of all chiefs, or all Indians, would work well! He does not want to be an Indian under a chief. He likes to work for himself. His rebellion keeps him from seeing that all chiefs were once hard-working Indians (Pr 17:2; 22:29)! He is seduced by vain ideas of easier and more exciting ways to make money (Pr 12:11; 28:19). He associates with the discontented and listens to schemes on how they will beat the system (Pr 14:23; 21:5). He is always busy planning his future success. He believes he has figured out life better than Solomon and seven successful men (Pr 26:16)! The diligent man laughs at slackers and mocks their five excuses, goes to work early every single day, and attacks his job with energy and persistence. He knows that life is short; he knows that God made him to work; he looks forward to getting his diligent hands on a project; and he will do it with his might (Eccl 9:10). He will soon rule over the slacker in riches and honor (Pr 12:24; 13:4; 22:29)! Guaranteed! Nothing has changed in 3000 years since Solomon penned these words. And nothing has changed in 2000 years, since Paul wrote his own warnings against slackers (Rom 12:11; I Thes 4:11-12; II Thes 3:6-13). Diligent labor is the law of God and the law of success! It must be taught diligently, for the excuses of slackers have not diminished. Parents must train children to work hard and repudiate the slacker's excuses. Christians should be the most diligent workers in any company or on any job. The world should see a living example of focused energy, intense persistence, and cheerful zeal to do anything necessary to finish even unpleasant tasks. Christians should never consider the excuses of the slacker, as they are contrary to sound doctrine.

Our blessed Lord was exceptionally diligent (Mark 3:20-21; 6:31; John 4:34; 9:4). And the apostles followed His great example (I Cor 4:9-14; II Thess 3:8). In fact, our beloved brother Paul boasted in the grace of God that he labored more abundantly than all the others (I Cor 15:10). Can you, reader, boast of diligent use of God's grace?

Proverbs 10:5
He that gathereth in summer is a wise son: but he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame.
Opportunity is a blessing ... a precious blessing from God. Wise men exploit them for great gain and honor. Foolish men squander them to poverty and shame. Wise men see a door of opportunity and rush through it with passionate zeal - they are gripped by the potential of extraordinary gain. Foolish men miss the door, or presume it will always be there, and head for home with lazy steps - they are dulled by the desire to play or sleep. Opportunity is not guaranteed. Life is a changing scene of prosperity and difficulty. The agricultural cycle had a great opportunity during summer harvest. Wise men gathered all they could with extra effort and time. Foolish men dreaded the extra demands and could not see the reward, so they sought to avoid the hot fields. "There is a time to get, and a time to lose"; the wise know when to get, and fools always lose! If you snooze, you lose! When times are good, gather all you can for leaner times to come. Both come from the Lord, but the wisdom of this proverb teaches you how to handle both events! Business cycles, prosperity, depression, and promotion are the work of God (Eccl 7:14). Diligently accumulate much when it is easy, and you will have extra to fall back on when it is hard. You cannot boast of tomorrow, so you must provide for tomorrow (Pr 22:3; 27:1,23-24). In this section of Proverbs, Solomon gave his son rules for success (Pr 10:1), and he began with financial rules. He taught righteousness in business (Pr 10:2), providence in business (Pr 10:3), and diligence in business (Pr 10:4). The rule here is prudence in business - to diligently use opportunities to accumulate assets, for a slothful neglect of opportunities will bring poverty. Even ants know to work hard and save in the summer (Pr 6:6-11; 30:25). America is the land of opportunity, and it has been for a very long time. Wise men have taken advantage of this incredible blessing, but foolish men have squandered it foolishly. Many have come to these shores with nothing, but through hard work and frugal savings they built comfortable estates. Others, born on these shores, think that prosperity is easy and squander the many opportunities here to their own poverty and shame. Every man, especially in this blessed nation, has many opportunities in education, business, and investments for great gains. He must see the opportunity, be prepared for it, and capitalize on it. "Time and chance happeneth to them to all," but have you exploited the times and chances God has given you (Eccl 9:11)? Most opportunities occur in the earlier stages of life; young men have greater drive and flexibility than others; and the consequences of their sloth are greater; so the proverb is primarily for young men. Young man, are you opening educational doors to gather knowledge, learn valuable skills, or acquire a trade? Are you using your present income with minimal expenses to accumulate the seed capital for lucrative future investments? Are you building relationships with your father's and other contacts for future references? Young man, are you working feverishly in a company known for promoting from within? Do you know that playing or sleeping now will cost you much more than playing or sleeping later?

If you waste opportunity, you tempt God (Luke 4:12). He gave you the means to success, but you neglected them. If you have a talent - of any kind, do not bury it! When troubles come, He will not hear, because you wasted His gift (Pr 1:20-32; 20:4; Matt 25:14-30). If He opens a door - of any kind rush through it with holy zeal. David said, "By my God have I leaped over a wall" (Ps 18:29). Glory! Many in the world have few opportunities, so exploit the ones He gives you! To whom much is given shall much be required! Elisha gave Joash, the king of Israel, an opportunity to fix the number of victories Israel would have over the Syrians; but the indolent king only struck the ground three times (II Kgs 13:14-19). Elisha grieved that he had not taken greater advantage of this divinely granted opportunity to exterminate the Syrians! Dear reader, how many opportunities in your life have you squandered by only smiting the ground three times? Confess it! When the money tree is blooming, pick it clean and save most of it! When any personnel change occurs in your office, locate the vacuum and fill it! When a rising star could be your mentor or sponsor, grab his coattail with both hands! When a successful man offers you a piece of his action, do your due diligence and dive in! When rare overtime is available, volunteer for it in advance! When you are reading God's word and feel knowledge and pleasure in your soul, read longer to fully capitalize on that special grace! There are more than financial opportunities, which you also ought to exploit with diligent zeal! How about the opportunity of wisdom in this proverb and its commentary! Are you reading it with fired zeal and holy excitement? Are you intent on accumulating that most precious of all commodities - wisdom? Are you meditating on every sentence? Asking the blessed God to prosper your efforts to grow wise? Or will He take from you the little knowledge you have and give it to the man who does make such efforts (Luke 8:18)? How about the opportunity of conviction to please the Lord more perfectly? When these seasons of harvest come to your life by the grace of the Holy Spirit, do you rush through the open door to draw closer than ever before to the living God? Or are you so infatuated with the world that these open doors appear only as empty closets in your rush down the hall of life to the vanity and excess of this profane, perverse, and damned generation? How about the opportunity of preparing to stand before the King of kings and Lord of lords? If you understand the reality of this approaching event, you have been given a blessed opportunity. You will soon pass out of this bustling world through the darkness of death into the light of His glorious Presence. You should, like the unjust steward, be laying up a good foundation against that time to come (Luke 16:1-15; I Tim 6:17-19).

Proverbs 10:6
Blessings are upon the head of the just: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.
What is falling from heaven toward you today? Blessings on your head? Or violence to shut your mouth? As surely as the apple falls from the tree, either blessing or violence is going to fall from God upon you and your life. What makes the difference? Either you are living the justified man's life of faith, or you are living the world's life of sin. You are confident you can get away with sin and ignoring God? So were Noah's hearers! You believe God thinks like you and will not judge your sins? Listen to the answer from the sweet psalmist of Israel, "Now consider this, ye that forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver" (Ps 50:22). Reader, believe and react to this proverb!

Why the head of the just? Because the head was the place where formal blessings were bestowed (Gen 48:17; Ps 133:2; Zech 6:11; Matt 26:7). Why the mouth of the wicked? Because it is the hole from which the wicked arrogantly bark against heaven and spew malicious words against the righteous (Ps 12:3; 31:18; 59:12; 63:11; 107:42; 140:9-11). Blessings are the generous and kind favors from God and men that are directed toward the just, who live godly lives in the fear of the Lord. Just men seek in every part of their lives to be fair, good, right, and righteous. They hate sin and will not compromise with the world. They cannot be bought, pressured, seduced, or tormented to sin. Violence is the terrible things God and men do to the wicked, who do not care for Him or His ways (Ps 7:11-16). These curses and punishments include economic disaster, health problems, financial failure, professional loss, family dysfunction, mental instability, and any other trouble that the God of all flesh is justified to pour out upon the foolish. The family tree of Canaan was cursed for Ham's sexual sin (Gen 9:24-27). Jezebel was thrown from an upper window before Jehu trampled her under his horse (II Kgs 9:30-37). Saul who envied David was beheaded and nailed to a wall (I Sam 31:9-10). Judas was turned over to the devil for a horrific suicide (Acts 1:18). Ananias and Sapphira lied about their giving and fell down dead (Acts 5:1-11). Herod Agrippa executed James and was eaten by worms (Acts 12:21-23). The Jews crucified Jesus, and the Romans slaughtered them and their children (Luke 19:42-44). Proud and unthankful evolutionists are given reprobate minds for sodomitical perversions (Rom 1:18-28). Only fools wonder why crazed boys take guns to school and viciously shoot other students, when an infant-murder clinic is just down the street, the government allows Hollywood to sell murder and mayhem for entertainment, and the public zoo teaches evolution while outlawing the Ten Commandments. There are consequences for sin, and wise readers of this proverb are reminded of it. Fools will ignore the warning and rush forward in their greed to satisfy their lusts ... not seeing the coming disasters and pain. Reader, it is not too late. If you are considering this proverb, then the blessed God has had mercy on your soul. Do not silence the voice of conscience or the exhortation of the Spirit. Humble yourself before the Lord Jesus Christ, the Just One Himself, and beg for mercy for your wickedness, and turn your steps to follow in the path of righteousness.

Proverbs 10:7
The memory of the just is blessed: but the name of the wicked shall rot.
What will the epitaph on your cemetery marker say? What will those who attend your funeral think? How many will come? Will there be substantial grief, or subdued relief? Will anyone reflect on your life ten years later? Will your memory be blessed or rotten? David wept painfully, when Jonathan died (II Sam 1:17-27); for he remembered their wonderful friendship as exceeding the love of women (I Sam 18:1-4; 23:16). Dorcas was well remembered by many widows for her good works and much charity (Acts 9:36-42). We remember Joseph as gloriously virtuous, Potiphar's wife as an evil whore. We remember Tamar as a prudent virgin, Amnon as a profane dog. We remember Paul as the greatest apostle, Demas as a weak loser. We remember Elijah and John as zealous heroes, Pilate and Agrippa as compromisers. We remember Abraham as faithful, Lot as worldly. We remember Daniel the eunuch as strong, and strong Samson as weak.

Dear reader, how will you be remembered? This matter is important, for it reflects much on how you have used God's gift - your life. Consider the opening questions carefully. The wicked are not remembered, though they name lands after themselves and dream of a great legacy (Psalm 49:6-14). The Lord will obliterate their memory from the earth (Job 18:5-21; 27:11-23; Ps 9:56), as He did Judas Iscariot's family (Ps 109:6-20). Don't envy or fret about them! Don't let enemies bother you! The name of the wicked will rot into oblivion. Their lives are vanity, for all they have done will be forgotten (Eccl 8:10). What a difference in funerals! Jehoiada, the high priest who saved the infant Joash, was buried with the kings for his righteousness (II Chron 24:16); but Jehoiakim, truly a king of Judah, was buried with the burial of an ass for his foolish rebellion (Jer 22:19; 36:30). Josiah, who brought revival to Judah, was lamented by Jeremiah and many singers with great lamentation (II Chron 35:24-25); but Jeroboam, who caused Israel to sin, had his family taken away like dung without natural deaths or decent burials (I Kings 14:10-11). Saul, God-forsaken and profane to the end, committed suicide. His head was cut off, his body fastened to a wall and then burned, and his bones buried under a tree (I Sam 31:1 10). David, full of the Holy Ghost, died in bed knowing his Son would reign on God's throne forever and was buried in Jerusalem (II Sam 23:1-5; I Kgs 1:1-4). We remember the one as a jealous and wicked man, the other as the glorious man after God's own heart. David's name was much set by in Israel, while he was alive (I Sam 18:30). After he died, God compared all other kings to David and blessed them because of David (I Kings 15:3 And to this 5). day he is one of the favorite Bible characters of all good men and women. Dear reader, do you feel your reputation is ruined because of sin? Repent, and do the first works (Rev 2:5). Consider that the man we just described, David, was guilty of aggravated adultery and murdering one of his most loyal friends. But God covers the sins of the truly repentant, and so do all good men. How do you remember Mary Magdalene? Wherever the gospel is preached in the whole world, a woman is remembered for anointing our Lord with precious ointment (Mark 14:3-9). "The memory of the just is blessed." And wherever the gospel is preached, Judas is remembered for betraying our Lord for thirty pieces of silver (Mark 14:10-11). "The name of the wicked shall rot." And we cannot forget the "Hall of Faith," where the blessed memories of many, some by name and some by exploit, are immortalized in the apostolic chapter of martyrs. It is said of these illustrious heroes of our religion that they obtained a good report by faith (Pr 11:2). Will this great cloud of witnesses affect your life? Will you be worthy of their company? Keeping the second commandment leaves blessed memories (Matt 22:39), for it is more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35). Are you a giver or a taker? Jesus set our example as the ultimate Giver (Matt 20:25-28), Whom Paul followed (II Cor 12:15). They served many, and their memories are blessed throughout the world. A tree of life will be remembered, for they win souls and help others (Pr 11:30). Do your lips feed many (Pr 10:21)? Is your hearty counsel sweet to your friends (Pr 27:9)? Do you sharpen your friends (Pr 27:17)? Living and dying without influencing others for the Lord means your life was a waste. There are three kinds of men - those who help others, those who do nothing, and those who harm others. What kind of man (or woman) are you? Husband and children will praise a virtuous wife and mother, before and after her death (Pr 31:28). Solomon wrote kindly of his mother in this very book (Pr 4:3). Our Lord honored His mother while He hung on the cross (John 19:25-27); and her memory is blessed perpetually for her holy child and her glorious testimony of salvation (Luke 1:46-55). If men do not praise or commend you here, Jesus will remember every good work in the great Day of Judgment (Matt 25:31-46; Ps 112:6). "The memory of the just is blessed."

The memory of our living Lord Jesus Christ will be the theme of every song and act of worship through eternity, and the smoke of the torment of the wicked will be the incense!

Proverbs 10:8
The wise in heart will receive commandments: but a prating fool shall fall.
Wise men love to be taught. They appreciate instruction. They want to be told what to do. They will listen and do what they are commanded. They are submissive and obedient. But fools do not like to be governed. They would rather talk. They want you to hear their opinions. They pour out nonsense without letup. They complain and object. They babble. But consider well! There is more to this proverb than just a description of character wise men will receive instruction; fools would rather talk themselves. There is a rule of success and failure here. Fools will fail and fall because of their character fault, and wise men will advance over them by their willingness to hear commandments and improve. Noble men are thankful for someone to teach them wisdom and truth. Luke described the Bereans as noble for their receptive hearing of Paul (Acts 17:11). Israel under Nehemiah was eager and thankful to hear the Word of God taught to them, even though it raised a commandment that had not been kept in 1000 years (Neh 8:1-18). Consider both spirits! But many fools would rather prattle and chatter about their own ideas, opinions, and experiences. A prating fool is one who talks too much, without value or profit. They use many words, maybe even eloquent or sophisticated words, but to no real or lasting value. Get away from such persons! They are going to fall, and they will take down those near them. They know nothing but that they love the sound of their own voice and words. Measure your wisdom and your future life right now! Do you love to be taught, or would you rather teach? Do you love to listen, or would you rather talk? Do you think you can do it your way and be successful? Do not deceive yourself in these questions, for your prosperity and success depend on your honest assessment and absorbing the lesson. Are others improved and made better by your speech, or do you fill the air with noise? Does your correspondence change lives, or is it merely a lot of blustery hot air? Do others ask your opinion, or do you give it without others asking? Are you wise, or a prating fool? Others know. Do you know? Stop talking! Start listening! Success is coming! A prating fool may be a good typist, so you get long, profitless emails, rather than cauliflower ear from the telephone. Either way it is the prattle of a fool lots of words saying nothing. The source is the same a heart in love with itself, rather than a heart humbly craving to learn. May God save you from being, or hearing, a self-loving man! Parent, correct this wicked trait by teaching children their proper place. A foolish mother will dote on her childrens words and opinions, and then wonder why she has a family of prating fools. The old adage is still wise children should be seen, not heard. Their opinions are worthless; their words in the presence of others should be few. Human nature being what it is, such children will still talk too much when they are older. Reader, are you quick to speak? Or are you quick to hear? Do you expect others to believe and obey you? Are you quicker to believe and obey them? Here you have an important test of your character and

soul. Are you wise in the sense of this proverb? If you like to talk, you are in trouble. If you value your opinions, you are in trouble. Of course, every man thinks his own opinions are better than others. But wisdom knows this delusion of the human mind is from hell, motivated by the devil, and from a deceitful and desperately wicked human heart (Jer 17:9). The most foolish man on earth, the one without hope of recovery, is the one conceited about his own ideas (Pr 26:12; 29:20)! Wisdom despises your own ideas (Pr 30:1-3; I Cor 3:18-20). Wisdom cuts words in half (Pr 17:27-28; Eccl 5:2). Wisdom speaks slowly (Pr 29:20; Jas 1:19). Wisdom wants to be taught by Gods teachers parents and pastors (Pr 1:8; 4:1-4; Mal 2:7). Wisdom only speaks when it has valuable, right, and certain things to say. Otherwise, silence is golden! It is impossible to teach a prating fool. Before you finish a sentence or paragraph, they want to give you twenty or thirty paragraphs of their own. While you are speaking, they are antsy, preoccupied with their thoughts, and chafing to be able to speak again. These miserable wretches cannot say they are sorry or wrong, for they presume infallibility. It never registers that others do not want their opinions, for they also presume popularity. Prating fools are as obvious as a loud siren. Listen for chatter. Look for quick opinions on every subject. You found him! You found her! Some have an answer for everything; some talk over everyone else; some do not believe in silence, ever! They are prating fools, and it is a holy privilege of wise men to identify and avoid them (III John 1:9-10). A man married to a prating fool runs to the housetop or wilderness to escape the endless noise of questions, suggestions, corrections, reminders, anecdotes, and other belches from her (Pr 19:13; 27:1516). The man who knew the most about women warned men to reject talkative women (Pr 11:16; 30:21-23; 31:26). Christian woman, if you have any wisdom at all, covet a meek and quiet spirit (I Pet 3:3-4). Receive the commandment! Can you discover more about this prating enemy of sanity? They love the word, But. Listen for it. No matter what you say, they counter it with, But. They must get their two cents into the conversation. After five minutes of mindless ramblings, you realize they were always bankrupt, without two cents of sense, and you will avoid them in the future. If there is no reflection on what you have said, but rather an immediate verbal response of their own, without much acknowledgement or submission to what you have said, you have found a prating fool. Make sure you are not one, and do not waste time with one. Now forget the prating fool. He is going to fall, under the heavy blows of the Most High and the rejection of all good men. Are you wise in heart? Dear reader, this is the question. Are you wise in heart? Do you fit the description in the first half of the proverb? Wise hearts are also very obvious. They love to receive the commandments of God and those He has put in positions of authority. Do you obey and honor your parents? Do you receive and obey their commandments? Do you love to hear preaching, so you can learn something else you should be doing to please God and men? Are you wise in heart? As sure as the fools ruin is the result of his rejection of instruction, so your humble hearing and obeying of instruction will bring promotion from God and man. Do you grasp God and Solomons lesson here? Proverbs is a book of wisdom for your success. Here is the winning formula for prosperity: listen to Gods word and those in authority over you and obey their superior knowledge and counsel. You will soon be rewarded.

Proverbs 10:9

He that walketh uprightly walketh surely: but he that perverteth his ways shall be known.
Your character is everything! It determines if God will bless or curse you, if you will be successful in life or not, and if others will discover and learn that you are a fool. A man or woman that walks uprightly is one with great character always doing what is right as defined by God in the Bible. This is no cheap talk this is walking the walk. The promised reward is Gods blessing, their success, and no fear of hypocrisy being exposed. A person with low character perverts his ways choosing to do what he thinks is right, without total submission to God and His word. He often covers his cheating choices with pious pretensions, but God will curse him, he will fail, and his hypocrisy will be exposed. Doing things strictly by Gods word, which is the only right way to do anything, makes for a sure life of blessing and success. Perverting things, or choosing to do them even slightly different than what the Bible says, leads to ruin and humiliation. Guaranteed! What is your character? Read carefully. It is the traits that define or describe you, what you are other than biological factors, the code of conduct that rules your actions, the discipline or defaults for what you do, and the lifestyle that makes up your reputation. A consistent life of godliness will keep a man confident, and he will not stumble due to Gods blessing. But rejecting instruction and wisdom, and choosing his own way, will lead a man to trouble and pain, and this perverse rebellion will be revealed to others. The sister proverb declares, Whoso walketh uprightly shall be saved: but he that is perverse in his ways shall fall at once (Pr 28:18). The slight variation in wording helps fill out the full sense of the warning. The upright man will be blessed and safe from trouble in his life, but the perverse man will definitely and suddenly fall into trouble. The proverb under consideration (Pr 10:9) adds that secret hypocrisy and hidden rebellion will be known and exposed. The man who chose to do things his way will be ridiculed by others, for they will clearly see that he cheated and compromised godly wisdom. Though he flattered himself that he had better insight, he will later hate his choice (Ps 36:2). Zophar bluntly reminded Job about hypocrites by saying, Knowest thou not this of old, since man was placed upon earth, that the triumphing of the wicked is short, and the joy of the hypocrite but for a moment? Though his excellency mount up to the heavens, and his head reach unto the clouds; Yet he shall perish for ever like his own dung: they which have seen him shall say, Where is he? (Job 20:47). Judas and Ananias perverted the way of the Lord, and their judgments are well known, the former hung himself by Gods judgment, and the latter was killed directly by God (Matt 27:3-5; Acts 1:18; 5:1-11). A sincere and faithful man, who walks righteously before God and men, will be secure in his conscience, in the blessings of God on his life, and in safety from trouble (Pr 28:1; Is 33:15-16). Reader, this is the good life! This describes a great man! Where are you tempted to compromise? Where are you playing with folly or sin in your life? Repent! He is single minded with no fear of detection, for he has never practiced deceit or hypocrisy. He neither fears devils or wicked men, for God is his helper and heaven his home. He will not fear the future, for his heart and steps are fixed in Gods word. He knows that God is with him, regardless of what men may think. He knows that difficulties for other men will not defeat or destroy him. He is confident and safe. But the man who chooses sin and perverts the way of righteousness will fall at once, and all men will know his secret and selfish pride and perversity. To disobey is truly to be perverse, for it is corruption of, and rebellion against, Gods wisdom. Perversity is Gods word for disobedience, and you should

respect the seriousness of it (Job 33:27). Sin has consequences, and the hypocrite cannot hide his foolish heart and private life for long. He shall fall at once, and good men will see his perverse practices being the cause of the fall (Pr 26:24-26). Noble saints will even pray for his exposure (Ps 144:7-8,11). Though such a man thinks he has hid his sin, the Lord sees every motive of his heart and every hidden act. If he makes it to the grave with his lying pretense in place, it will show up in his family and/or in the Day of Judgment (Eccl 12:14; Luke 12:1-5; I Tim 5:24). Upright men are commended, but perverse men will be despised (Pr 12:8). Upright men fear the Lord, but perverse men despise him by their actions, no matter what they say (Pr 14:2). It is better to be a poor upright man than to be a rich perverse man (Pr 28:6). The man who walks obediently with the Lord Jesus Christ is the surest of them all (Heb 13:5-6). He is content and confident, and the Lord will be with him when all men desert him (II Tim 4:16-18). Paul was not ashamed of his despised life, for he knew Whom he had believed (II Tim 1:12). Reader, are you walking surely with the Lord this day?