Food for the poor

An unplowed field produces food for the poor, but injustice sweeps it away.

Proverbs 13:23 (Bible.com)

A thought: People are tempted to look after themselves most of time. Israel had some laws in place to make sure landowners left some produce un-gathered for any destitute/needy passer-bys. To not leave something for others from our abundance, is an injustice that God will judge.

A prayer: Dear God, you have given me so much. Help me live rightly, generously, and not selfishly. My life is not my own. It belongs to Jesus. Amen.

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Proverbs 12:27 – Diligent hunting

The lazy do not roast any game, but the diligent feed on the riches of the hunt. – Proverbs 12:27

Some places where else this is discussed:

Prov. 12:11; 19:24; Eccles.5:19

My thoughts:

We all have dreams we want to carry out. Many of these dreams get left behind due to forgetfulness, inability, or the difficulty of life. Here, the reason we might or might not achieve our goals is based on our level of diligence. The picture in the proverb shows a hunting trip for food and how one’s laziness keeps them from roasting the spoils. Some plans can go astray despite our best efforts, but when it’s up to us, let’s work hard at what we hope for.

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 references, and difficult concepts and words. Plus he has a real way with words!

Photo Attribution: Slice of Chic Used under Creative Commons BY-NC-ND 2.0

Proverbs 12:9 – Lacking Bread

Better to be a nobody and yet have a servant than pretend to be somebody and have no food. – Proverbs 12:9

Some places where this is discussed in Proverbs:

Proverbs 13:7

My Thoughts:

Sophronia and Alfred Lammle

Putting on a show for the masses gets expensive. I’m reminded of the Lammles of Dickens’ Our Mutual Friend. They put on airs in Old England but (in the 1998 movie) were eventually exposed and headed off to Europe to start again.  Oh how we love to appear special or well-off! The proverb argues for a humble life with a reasonable income over a prideful life of wealth without any substance. May we seek the humble life and not put on airs.

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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.

Photo taken from The East Room.