WALKING IN WISDOM: POVERTY, PEOPLE & PROSPERITY

Prayer:Heavenly Father,

Thank you for your promise that you will give us wisdom. Thank you for directing our step and placing wise people into our lives. Thank you Father for those who give wise council to their friends. Thank you for the God Size Dreamers who are pouring into each others lives and speaking truth and love to each other. Thank you Father for those who seek wisdom and walk with the wise like it states in Proverbs 13:20.

Heavenly Father we pray you place it on all of our hearts to surround ourselves with friends who are going to point us back to you Lord. Holy Spirit we ask that you speak through us and pour out your wisdom. Lord we pray that the words we speak will bring you honor and glory.

We ask all of this in Jesus name – AMEN

Proverbs 22:22-27

22 Do not exploit the poor because they are poor and do not crush the needy in court, 23 for the Lord will take up their case and will exact life for life.

24 Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered, 25 or you may learn their ways and get yourself ensnared.

26 Do not be one who shakes hands in pledge or puts up security for debts; 27 if you lack the means to pay, your very bed will be snatched from under you.

Introduction

“Listen carefully to my wisdom; take to heart what I can teach you. You’ll treasure its sweetness deep within; you’ll give it bold expression in your speech. To make sure your foundation is trust in GOD, I’m laying it all out right now just for you. I’m giving you thirty sterling principles— tested guidelines to live by. Believe me—these are truths that work, and will keep you accountable to those who sent you.” Proverbs 22:17-21 MSG

Knowledge is the capacity to learn or remember information. Wisdom is the understanding and appropriation information that brings about safety and the best outcomes for an individual. Wisdom benefits the possessor and their environments.

During this time of pandemic and uncertainty it’s prudent that we should re-imagine wisdom. God has provided wisdom for our weaknesses and upward trajectory.

Walking in Wisdom is....

I. ASSOCIATION WITH THE POOR- 22 Do not exploit the poor because they are poor and do not crush the needy in court, 23 for the Lord will take up their case and will exact life for life.

A. Don’t Mistreat The Poor-Do not exploit the poor because they are poor. Verse 22 continues the emphasis on fair treatment of the poor that was so prominent.

Two admonitions against exploiting the poor and moving the boundary stone both warn against using systems that were set up to protect property in order to steal it. The means used to take advantage of the poor and needy are not stated in 22:22, only that it is done “at the gate,” where disputes should be settled fairly and not on the basis of special favors or bribes.

B. Discern How To Use Your Power -do not crush the needy in court. The word “exploit” is translated “rob” (gzl, 4:16; 28:24) in its other contexts, suggesting that exploitation is one way to take what belongs to another. While the poverty of these people is reason enough to treat them kindly, most likely the phrase chides the exploiters who see their powerless prey as easy pickings; they crush the poor in court (lit., “at the gate,” where legal matters were decided).

C. Determine Who Controls The Payback-for the Lord will take up their case and will exact life for life. Ironically, those who try to use the system to do wrong will find out that they are called to an even higher court. The double use of rib in “take up their case” (22:23; lit., “strive a striving”; cf. 23:11) echoes the voice of the prophets, who portray Yahweh as judge, prosecutor, and executor.

Yahweh takes up the case of the poor (22:23), so one may assume he too looks after boundary disputes.

This proverb is a message of hope to people who must live and work under unjust authoritarian leaders. It is also a warning to those who enjoy ruling with an iron hand. Sometimes God intervenes and directly destroys tyrants. More often, he uses other rulers to overthrow them or their own oppressed people to rebel against them. If you are in a position of authority at church, work, or home, remember what happens to tyrants. Leadership through kindness is more effective and longer lasting than leadership by force.

Walking in Wisdom is....

I. ASSOCIATION WITH THE POOR

II. AFFINITY WITH ANGRY PEOPLE 24 Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered, 25 or you may learn their ways and get yourself ensnared.

A. Carefully Choose Your Companions -Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person.

B. Cautiously Keep Your Company-do not associate with one easily angered. C. Crowds Can Be Contagious -you may learn their ways and get yourself ensnared.

People tend to become like those with whom they spend a lot of time. Even the negative characteristics and habits sometimes rub off. The Bible exhorts us to be cautious in our choice of companions. Choose people with qualities you would like to develop in your own life.

Walking in Wisdom is....

I. ASSOCIATION WITH THE POOR

II. AFFINITY WITH ANGRY PEOPLE

III. ATTITUDES ABOUT PROSPERITY -26 Do not be one who shakes hands in pledge or puts up security for debts; 27 if you lack the means to pay, your very bed will be snatched from under you.

A. Be Wise In Taking Risks-Do not be one who shakes hands in pledge

B. Believe In Wise Usage Of Your Resources -puts up security for debts. This verse is saying that it is wise to be slow to counter-sign a note or to be liable for another person’s debt.

C. Being Unspiritual Can Leave You With Rags -if you lack the means to pay, your very bed will be snatched from under you.

How Can I Apply This?

In bringing these principles into our own day, we must keep in mind that learning wisdom prepares us to speak wisely, to speak in ways that are faithful to those we serve—both those we work for and those for whom we have responsibility. It may be that like the sages of old, we are called upon to teach, to give advice and counsel, or simply to represent the concerns of another. In short, the sages of old were responsible both for maintaining and teaching the words of the wise and for putting them to work in daily practice of advising and representing.

Today, it is hard to find the occupation that does not require this aspect of wise speaking. Lawyers, physicians, and educators have this written into their job descriptions, but who of us does not need these skills for knowing how to find the best ways to get the job done and preserve good relationships at the same time? A secretary I know works for an office of student services at a nearby college. She is charged with instructing, advising, and serving the concerns of the constituency that includes students and potential employers who may hire them.

Do you treat people differently based on class and economy?

Do you feel you’ve ever been treated differently because of lack?

How do you rate the temperament of your closest friends?

Why are they your friends?

What is your view and approach toward financial stability?