'wealth & Poverty'

Wealth & Poverty

Reading: Proverbs 10:4, 10:15, 10:22, 13:8, 18:11, 18:23, 19:4, 21:6, 30:8-9

Quote:

• I like what Earl Wilson said:

• “There ought to be a better way of starting the day than having to get up.”

• Reminds me of the story of the teenage boy,

• Who was so lazy that he couldn't wake up early in the morning,

• And his mom decided to fix that.

• She tried the usual shouting, and threats but none of it worked.

• So, one day, she tried a different approach,

• She decided to reason with him.

• The mom sat on the edge of his bed and said, son,

• The teenager just about opened his eyes.

• She said, “Son, I'm going to tell you a story.

• And I want you to tell me what you learn.”

• He grunted, OK.

• And so, she began. Saying…

“There were two birds, and one bird got up really early every morning.

And the little bird that got up early every morning found plenty of bugs to eat.

And with those bugs, this early bird was able to feed himself and his family.

But the other bird would never get up in the morning, slept in every day.

And when he finally got up, there was no food for him to eat.

So, she said, son, what is the moral of the story? What have you learned? “

• The youth replied,

• “Well, the story tells me that bugs that wake up early get eaten by birds!”

• TRANSITION: Well, that mom got a surprise answer.

• She was of course hoping to hear, the answer, “that the early bird gets the worm.”

• This English expression first appeared in a 1605 book of proverbs,

• By William Camden.

• The idea behind the expression is simple,

• The birds that wake up the earliest have the best chance of catching a good meal,

• Since no other birds have awoken to pick for worms.

• Likewise, people who arrive first have a better chance than those who arrive late.

• This phrase is so ubiquitous (so universal).

• That it is even shortened on occasions to early bird.

• e.g. Restaurants will sometimes have to early bird prices,

• To customers who arrive before the peak trading hours.

Money and wealth play a huge role in our society.

• The book of Proverbs reminds us you will not get rich by being lazy,

• But you might find wealth if you get out of bed and work hard!

• Now, I have been given 9 individual but themed verses to speak on,

• That leaves me about 2mins on each verse, so let’s get a move on!

lesson #1: Proverb 10 verse 4,

“Lazy hands make for poverty,

but diligent hands bring wealth.”

The principle in this verse is straightforward (common sense):

• The verse contains a contrast, between lazy hands and busy hands.

• A lazy person brings poverty on himself,

• Whereas a hardworking person has a much better likelihood of being successful.

• i.e. The person with a job,

• Will probably better off financially than someone without a job.

• i.e. The student who studies and prepares for an exam,

• Will probably get better results than the person who does not.

• Now if only all the verses in the Bible were as simple and straight forward as that one!

• OK, let’s look at the next Proverb.

lesson #2: Proverb 10 verse 15,

“The wealth of the rich is their fortified city,

but poverty is the ruin of the poor.”

Ill:

• Before you left home you probably closed all the windows,

• Put the alarm on and locked the doors.

• (Now some of you here are looking worried – did we?)

• TRANSITION: You behave like that when leaving home,

• Because you want your home to be secure, protected.

• It is your safe space that you will enjoy when you later return.

• In ancient times, living within the city walls was the safe space.

• At night the gates were closed, and watchmen posted on the top of the walls.

• Therefore, the enemy could not get to you. You were safe!

• This proverb says, “The rich man’s wealth is his strong city,”

• Meaning wealth gives a measure of protection and safety in this world.

• i.e. Wealth allows you to live in a better neighbourhood (less crime).

• i.e. You might have a better security system for your home, than a poorer person,

• i.e. Unlike a poorer person, you might be able to afford private Medicare.

• i.e. Unlike a poorer person, you might be able to eat healthier food.