Proverbs 13:11 – Quick Money

Dishonest money dwindles away, but whoever gathers money little by little makes it grow. – The Bible, Proverbs 13:11

Some places where else this is discussed: 

Prov. 28:19-20, 22

Ill-gotten wealth: Prov. 10:2, 11:18

My thoughts:

What happens when you invest in Bitcoin for quick money? You get a very unstable investment. Would you also be tempted to spend that quick money unwisely? This proverb speaks to how wealth is gathered, and how much we work for it.

My experience is that when we earn lots very quickly, especially if by deception, we don’t value it so much. We are much more likely to splurge. When we work hard for our livelihood, we value what we earn far more.

We need to remember that a long-term investment or a steady income doesn’t promise huge return initially. It seems better in the long run, though, to seek income the honest way. Let’s stick with our jobs, and not be endlessly hoping for that winning lottery ticket, as understandable and tempting as that may be.

Thanks for reading! Pete

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Thoughts or questions? Have your say in the comments section!

Photo Attribution: Jake Kitchener Used under Creative Commons BY-NC-ND 2.0

Proverbs 13:7 – Monetary Deception

One person pretends to be rich, yet has nothing; another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth. – The Bible, Proverbs 13:7

Some places where else this is discussed:

Prov. 12:9, 13:5 20:14

My thoughts:

Lots of people like to talk up their latest favourite purchases. Its part of the fun of buying stuff, including the fact that you had the money to splurge on it.

Yet the people mentioned in this proverb aren’t boasting about things they have, but are completely deceiving others about their wealth. The two types are rich people pretending to be poor and those with very little lying about being wealthy. We ought to be wary of deceptive people like this. In all likelihood the motivation is greed or high social standing. Who knows what other lies one might tell if guided by these desires.

We seem to feel compelled to help someone claiming to be desperate or feel drawn to associate with well-off people. Let’s be careful to not join in any such lies and likewise be careful to avoid being deceived.

Thanks for reading! Pete.

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Thoughts or questions? Have your say in the comments section!

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Proverbs 13:5 – Odious Lies

The righteous hate what is false, but the wicked make themselves a stench and bring shame on themselves. – The Bible, Proverbs 13:5

Some places where else this is discussed:

Prov. 6:16-19, 8:13, Psalm 119:163

My thoughts:

Hate is a strong emotion. We shouldn’t hate people personally, but we are given free reign in the Bible to hate evil. Evil deserves drastic action. For us to hate our own evil actions or the temptation to do them, we’d need to avoid them, stamp them out, and flee such things.

In this proverb, the man who seeks to be righteous despises any deception; he follows in what God hates. The wicked man has no qualms about lying, as long as it gets them what they want. Yet they bring upon themselves all manner of shame. So often the truth ousts us. We realise it would have been far better to have not lied in the first place.

Thoughts or questions? Have your say in the comments section!

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Proverbs 13:2 – Violent Outcomes

From the fruit of their lips people enjoy good things, but the unfaithful have an appetite for violence. – The Bible, Proverbs 13:2

Some places where else this is discussed:

Prov. 12: 14,18

Theme: Prov 13:2-4 – The Hebrew words translated as “desire”, “appetite”, “life”, and “soul”,  is literally “soul” or “breath” and can refer to the inner desires of people, but also the essence of who you  are. (Reiterated from A Mentor Commentary On Proverbs – John A. Kitchen

My thoughts:

How often our words cause strife. We speak without thinking or even with malice or other evil desire. Life should teach us that speaking with a desire to trick or manipulate only ends in bad things, for us and others. We’re asking for it if we use our words to deceive. This proverb speaks of the produce of our lips bringing good for us. Let’s then speak with care, so that we produce good outcomes.

Thanks for reading!

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Thoughts or questions? Have your say in the comments section!

Note: All scripture is taken from Bible.com and is the New International Version. I am using a commentary by John A. Kitchen for help with references, and difficult concepts and words. Plus, he has a real way with words!

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Proverbs 12:22 – Lying Lips

The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy. – Proverbs 11:22

A series of proverbs with this same theme:

Proverbs 12:13-25 (excluding 21 & 24)

My thoughts:

God is truth. It’s one of His steadfast attributes. You could say He doesn’t leave home without it. This proverb testifies to God hating liars but loving truth-sayers. The tongue has played a part in many surrounding verses, and we have found one thing common among them: it matters what we say. God cares and that should be reason enough for us to care too.

Thanks for reading! Pete.

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Thoughts or questions? Have your say in the comments section!

Note: All scripture is taken from Bible.com and is the New International Version. I am using a commentary by John A. Kitchen for help with difficult concepts and words. Plus he has a real way with words!

Photo Attribution: Alessio Michelini Used under Creative Commons BY-NC-ND 2.0

Proverbs 12:21 – Filled with Trouble

No harm overtakes the righteous, but the wicked have their fill of trouble. – Proverbs 12:21

The context of this Proverb:

Proverbs 12:13-25

My thoughts:

While we can’t often control what happens to us, and it’s up to God in His Will as to that, we can control our actions and words. This proverb talks of the righteous not having harm overcome them and the opposite for the wicked. How can we interpret this? Well in the context of proverbs about how words affect us, the fill of trouble could be self-inflicted. The one who mistreats another could easily find a similar response right back.

Thanks for reading! Pete.

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Thoughts or questions? Have your say in the comments section!

Note: All scripture is taken from Bible.com and is the New International Version. I am using a commentary by John A. Kitchen for help with difficult concepts and words. Plus he has a real way with words!

Photo Attribution: Jochen Frey Used under Creative Commons BY-NC-ND 2.0

Proverbs 12:20 – Peace for Others

Deceit is in the hearts of those who plot evil, but those who promote peace have joy. – Proverbs 12:20

A series of proverbs with this same theme:

Proverbs 12:13-25 (excluding 21 & 24)

My thoughts:

Joy can be a fleeting thing if you simply seek after it. The better way to receive it is to seek it for others. The proverb speaks of promoters of peace, as if that is a role to take on. We are to seek the good for others and the outcome is that we can be blessed by that too. The alternative lifestyle, to seek for others’ downfall promises only problems for us too. Deceit is a double-edged sword and can affect the perpetrator.

Thanks for reading! Pete.

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Thoughts or questions? Have your say in the comments section!

Note: All scripture is taken from Bible.com and is the New International Version. I am using a commentary by John A. Kitchen for help with difficult concepts and words. Plus he has a real way with words!

Photo Attribution: Danny Hammontree Used under Creative Commons BY-NC-ND 2.0