9-8-24 Sermon "Blessings from Proverbs" - 15 Minutes

Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23

This morning I'll be reading Proverbs chapter 22 verses 1 and 2,,, then verses 8-9,,, then verses 22-23. And I'll be reading from the Holman Christian Standard Bible. Proverbs 22:1–2, 8–9, 22–23 The verses that we will look at today help us to see that we have choices to make,,, and we should be sure that we make those choices with wisdom as our guide! Proverbs 22:1–2 (HCSB) — 1 A good name is to be chosen over great wealth; favor is better than silver and gold. 2 The rich and the poor have this in common: the Lord made them both. Proverbs 22:8–9 - 8 The one who sows injustice will reap disaster, and the rod of his fury will be destroyed. 9 A generous person will be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor. Proverbs 22:22–23 — 22 Don’t rob a poor man because he is poor, and don’t crush the oppressed at the gate, 23 for the Lord will take up their case and will plunder those who plunder them. The word of God for the people of God,,, thanks be to God! God bless the reading and the hearing of your word this morning. Let us pray: Dear Lord,,, as we begin this morning,,, with everyone here today and all that are listening and watching by video,,, we ask that you open our ears to hear and our hearts and minds to receive the message that you have for us today,,, In Jesus' name I pray,,, Amen. ___________________________________ Last Sunday we looked at Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-9,,, and we learned that Moses was giving the Israelites the best advice that he could before he left them.

This advice was to help them remember everything that God has done for them,,, never forget those things,,, and,,, pass that information along to their children.

When we follow God's word the way that we should,,, when our relationship is strong the way that we need it to be,,, our lives are filled with a joy that comes no matter what we face each day.

God will watch out for us,,, if we follow His words to the best of our ability.

And we must remember the things that God has helped us with in the past,,, so that they can help us survive the things that we will face,,, in the future,,, and,,, the things that we do today,,, will help the future generations as well!

I told you,,, that's what Joshua,,, Moses,,, and God,,, wants us to remember,,, each and every day!

This morning we will look at these verses in Proverbs,,, and see how they will help us,,, in our walk with God this week.

___________________________________ Verse 1 said: 1 A good name is to be chosen over great wealth; favor is better than silver and gold.

Having a good name,,, or,,, being known as having an honorable reputation because of good character,,, is something that is valued,,, far above wealth.

Riches are useless,,,, especially if you gain those riches in ways that ruin your character,,, as we see from several different verses in Proverbs. (cf. Proverbs 1:19; 10:2, 13:11)

Once your name has been tarnished,,, it takes a lot to restore it,,, and some times,,, it will never be restored in some peoples minds.

Because of that,,, it's much better to pay attention to this advice before you ever make this mistake.

The last part of that verse says that,,, favor is better than silver and gold.

One of the examples from the Oxford dictionary defines favor,,, as an act of kindness beyond what is due or usual. Isn't it wonderful that God gives us this gift,,, above and beyond what we deserve?

___________________________________ Verse 2 said: 2 The rich and the poor have this in common: the Lord made them both.

The poor are mentioned several times in this chapter (as we see from verses 2, 7, 9, 16, 22).

A person may acquire wealth,,, but that does not completely separate him from the poor,,, for both were made by the LORD.

Solomon reminds us,,, that God is concerned about everyone,,, regardless of their economic status.

And the day will come,,, where each of us will see,,, that none of the things that we work so hard to acquire,,, will benefit us anymore!

Rich,,, or poor,,, nothing will be important anymore,,, except for our relationship with Jesus Christ!

At that time,,, whether you are rich or poor will not matter!

___________________________________ Verse 8 said: 8 The one who sows injustice will reap disaster, and the rod of his fury will be destroyed.

Someone that sows seeds of wickedness,,, (“injustice”) will reap a harvest of trouble (“trouble,,, sorrow,,,” or,,, as it says here,,, disaster.

Trouble is the direct result of sin (cf. Hosea 10:13; Gal. 6:7).

Fury used in this way,,, is a word that means “overflowing rage” according to my commentary.

What the wicked achieve through their fury or wrath will not last; -- their control over someone will be exhausted.

This thought is encouraging to the oppressed.

The trouble the wicked bring on others will come on themselves.

It may not be today,,, it may not be tomorrow,,, but it will happen.

If "we" have been a victim of a troublemaker,,, we want to see them receive their punishment today,,, right?

Well,,, we must remember that they may not receive it in this life time,,, but,,, unless they repent,,, and change their ways,,, it will catch up with them,,, and then they will wish that they had treated people the right way when they had the chance!

___________________________________ Verse 9 said: 9 A generous person will be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor.

Willingness to share food with the poor,,, shows that a person is genuine.

In other words,,, he looks at others with the desire to help them,,, not to take advantage of them.

Some other scripture references are,,, (cf. generosity to the poor in Deuteronomy 15:10; Proverbs 14:21, 31; 28:27).

Again,,, like the punishment to the wicked,,, it may not happen until we leave this world,,, but the "benefit" will definitely be worthwhile!

___________________________________ Verses 22-23 said: 22 Don’t rob a poor man because he is poor, and don’t crush the oppressed at the gate, 23 for the Lord will take up their case and will plunder those who plunder them.

No one should take advantage of the defenseless poor.

Neither should anyone show injustice to the afflicted at the gate,,, that is,,, at the place of judgment.

Remember that the gate of a city was often the center of commercial and legal activity,,, where many decisions were made.

So why is it important not to take advantage of the poor?

Because God takes care of them,,, and He will punish the rich oppressor and the unjust judge.

Because they are unable to protect their legal rights,,, the poor are an easy target for the rich and powerful.

The rationale given here,,, for not robbing them,,, is that God defends them.

Previous proverbs showed that the oppression of the poor insults God,,, the Maker of both rich and poor (Prov 14:31; 17:5).

This proverb goes further,,, stating that God will come to the defense of the impoverished and carry out justice for the oppressed.

___________________________________ We can see from these verses,,, that taking care of those in need is very important.

And,,, not only helping them,,, but watching over them so that they aren't mistreated by others.

That is something that we must remember,,, and be sure that we are always doing these things,,, at all times,,, because God,,, is always watching everything that we do!

Solomon understood that these things were important enough,,, that they needed to be written down for future generations to see and remember.

___________________________________ Let’s review them again!

Remember from verse 1 that having a good name is more important than riches!

When we leave this world,,, nothing goes with us!

We will be remembered,,, by the way that we treated others,,, and more importantly,,, God remembers,,, the way that we treat others,,, and we will be punished,,, or rewarded,,, accordingly!

___________________________________ Remember from verse 2 that God made the rich and the poor.

And,,, He watches over both!

When we leave this world,,, we will all leave the same way that we entered,,, with nothing!

Because of that,,, we must be careful and not let ourselves look down on those that we think are beneath us!

___________________________________ Remember,,, Those who cause trouble will reap what they sow!

Even though that may not happen in this lifetime,,, it will not be favorable for them when they face the Lord!

___________________________________ Remember,,, that one who shares his food with the poor,,, will be blessed.

And it will be a blessing that last forever!

___________________________________ And,,, remember,,, that we must not take advantage of the poor because God is looking out for them,,, and He will punish those who deal unfavorably with them!

___________________________________

There is a frequently told story about a great preacher who was to preach at a certain church.

The crowd that gathered that Sunday included many community leaders who seldom attended church,,, all dressed in their best.

As time for the service arrived,,, the ushers became nervous because the preacher had not appeared.

They were also bothered by a poorly clothed barefoot man who waited quietly to be seated.

After debating about asking him to leave,,, they decided to seat him in the very back corner.

Those seated in the area shifted away as he sat down.

Then at a pause in the music,,, the man quietly walked up the center aisle to the podium and opened the Bible to read the scripture for that day.

As he read,,, people realized that he was the great preacher.

As a result of their actions,,, they were caught red handed,,, since they could see for themselves,,, how they had treated this preacher,,, simply because,,, of the way that he was dressed!

___________________________________ God expects everyone to treat others,,, with love and respect!

If this doesn't happen,,, then there will be consequences that cannot be avoided.

As Christians,,, these should be things that we are well aware of,,, and are watching out for,,, each and every day!

The blessing that we receive will be more than we can ever imagine,,, in this lifetime,,, and even more so,,, when we enter heaven,,, on that glorious day!

So going forward,,, as we leave here this morning,,, let us remember these words of wisdom from Solomon,,, use them in our daily walk with God,,, and each other,,, as we fulfill our obligation,,, to make this world,,, a better place,,, each and every,,, day,,, and bring more people to Christ,,, by the way that we live,,, our life!

___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ Hymn: 337 - Oakdale Hymn: 337 - Seminary Benediction -----------------------------------------------------------