Sunday, October 3, 1999 This Week's Lesson:
In this week's lesson, which came from Proverbs 13:5-9, we learned about the importance of being lovers of truth and not lovers of money. We also saw once again that it really is important to try to live right. Solomon wrote that we should love the truth and that we should pursue righteousness. He said that a sign of being righteous is choosing truth over untruth. Many people have a low regard for those things that are right and proper. But as we draw closer and closer to the Lord, we should not be like that. Joshua 24:14 says, "Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD." Psalms 33:4 says, "For the word of the LORD is right; and all his works are done in truth." The Lord loves the truth, but the wicked do not. Those who are righteous love the truth, but again, those who are not do not. Solomon wrote that the wicked person is loathsome. He also wrote that the wicked would come to shame. Proverbs 10:20 says, "The tongue of the just is as choice silver: the heart of the wicked is little worth." Proverbs 11:5 says, "The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness." Righteousness uplifts. Wickedness corrupts and destroys. A righteous David would not harm his enemy, King Saul.
Because of his faithfulness, David was exalted, and Saul was brought down. I Samuel 28:15-16 says, "And Samuel said to Saul, Why hast thou disquieted me, to bring me up? And Saul answered, I am sore distressed; for the Philistines make war against me, and God is departed from me, and answereth me no more, neither by prophets, nor by dreams: therefore I have called thee, that thou mayest make known unto me what I shall do. Then said Samuel, Wherefore then dost thou ask of me, seeing the LORD is departed from thee, and is become thine enemy?" Living right is not only the right thing to do. It is also the smart thing to do. Saul came to the end of his life and learned that his evil ways had exacted a very high penalty for himself and his family. Solomon, probably the wisest person ever and the writer of much of the Book of Proverbs, learned that chasing worldly pleasures would bring you down, too. Part of living right is to not be drawn to this world's treasures. Many people try to accumulate great wealth. Many choose the path to popularity and fame. But these people usually find that wealth and fame do not bring true, lasting happiness. People who share with others are often the happiest. Doing good for others brings blessings, both in heaven and on earth. Having God's hand upon your life in a positive way is a great blessing and of much greater worth than any treasure. Those in Christ are rich spiritually, even if their bank account is zero. Solomon said that living right brings honor, peace, and joy while not living right brings shame and unhappiness.
The Book of Proverbs often teaches about pursuing righteous paths and doing right things. It also speaks against worldliness and the excessive pursuit of material things. As you go through the coming week, try to examine your life and see where you come up short. Then, do your best to make Christ the focus point of your life.
Tom of Spotswood"He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life." (I John 5:12)
"And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart." (Jeremiah 29:13)
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