Don’t—For Your Own Good
Proverbs 23:1-18NLT
“Don’t give yourself over to unusual appetites, but live modestly, don’t give yourself over to fleeting success stories, live by what has been proven to you through your scriptural upbringing.” P.H
Proverbs 23:1-3NLT While dining with a ruler, pay attention to what is put before you. 2 If you are a big eater, put a knife to your throat; 3 don’t desire all the delicacies, for he might be trying to trick you.
Solomon is asking, “What is proper and wise?”
We should never go into any situation without our wits intact—3 things to remember:
In an unusual situation look around, watch what others do—Don’t go to feasting.
Use manners—It could be part of a test.
Stay modest—Eat, speak and act slowly.
It is very unwise to go anywhere without the wisdom of God.
Beforehand, Ask God for wisdom—James 1:5NLT If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.
Proverbs 23:1-3TM When you go out to dinner with an influential person, mind your manners: 2 Don’t gobble your food, don’t talk with your mouth full. 3 And don’t stuff yourself; bridle your appetite.
A ruler is not in the habit of just inviting anyone to eat with him. Again, there may be an ulterior motive in this meeting—a test that is set before you in addition to the food itself.
Again verse 2, says that you should "put a knife to your throat if you are a man of great appetite."
In layman's terms—don't make a pig of yourself.
Proverbs 23:3TLB Be not desirous of his delicacies, for they are deceptive food.
Again, Watch your actions for you might be judged by them.
Proverbs 23:4-5NLT Don’t wear yourself out trying to get rich. Be wise enough to know when to quit. 5 In the blink of an eye wealth disappears, for it will sprout wings and fly away like an eagle.
The Great Depression (1929-1939) was the worst economic downturn in modern history.
The preceding decade, known as the “Roaring Twenties,” was a time of relative affluence for many middle- and working-class families. As the economy boomed, new innovations allowed for more leisure time and the creation of a consumer society.
But the economic depression that followed those boon years profoundly affected the daily life of American families, in ways large and small.
Suicide was problematic—Individuals took their lives, leaving families poorer—Remember, the love of money is the root of all evil.
Proverbs 23:4-5TM Don’t wear yourself out trying to get rich; restrain yourself! 5 Riches disappear in the blink of an eye; wealth sprouts wings and flies off into the wild blue yonder.
Again, wealth can sprouts wings and fly away!
Luke 12:16-19NIV And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. 17 He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’ 18 “Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. 19 And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”’
In 4 verses the word ‘I’ is mentioned 6 times!
Luke 12:20-21NIV “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’ 21 “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.”
The question that should be asked is—Are you rich toward God?
Regardless if you believe it or not, the more you obtain, the more potential you have to worry—Such as:
Pay caretakers.
Pay lawyers.
Pay big taxes.
Watch for scammers and thieves etc.
Proverbs 23:6-8NLT Don’t eat with people who are stingy; don’t desire their delicacies. 7 They are always thinking about how much it costs. “Eat and drink,” they say, but they don’t mean it. 8 You will throw up what little you’ve eaten, and your compliments will be wasted.
Many women have been led down the primrose path to a sinful bed through a restaurant.
Proverbs 23:6-8TM Don’t accept a meal from a tightwad; don’t expect anything special. He’ll be as stingy with you as he is with himself; he’ll say, “Eat! Drink!” but won’t mean a word of it. His miserly serving will turn your stomach when you realize the meal’s a sham.
The danger is two-fold: First, the warm ambiance coupled with wine and food is very relaxing and sensual, causing mild euphoria. Physical contact initiated at this point can hardly be resisted.
Second, victims feel obligated to allow the pursuers’ advances after the money, time, and effort spent on the evening. By these two factors, it is very difficult for most people to withstand the host’s solicitations.
In Washington DC and elsewhere, Lobbyists, politicians, lawyers, and even salesmen can be manipulative with food. P.H
Proverbs 23:9NLT Don’t waste your breath on fools, for they will despise the wisest advice.
Fools gain their reputation as fools, by turning away from wisdom given to them by the godly.
Fools become fools by:
Not listening to the advice of the godly.
Having no accountability.
Failure to follow God’s written word. P.H
Proverbs 23:9TM Don’t bother talking sense to fools; they’ll only poke fun at your words.
Within the fool they laugh at advice; They’re prideful, and always think they know best.
Proverbs 23:10-11NLT Don’t cheat your neighbor by moving the ancient boundary markers; don’t take the land of defenseless orphans. 11 For their Redeemer is strong; he himself will bring their charges against you.
The Bible is clear, God defends the helpless.
James 1:27ESV Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.
Proverbs 23:10-11TM Don’t stealthily move back the boundary lines or cheat orphans out of their property, For they have a powerful Advocate who will go to bat for them.
In verse 10, Moving back boundary lines has everything to do with motivations of the heart. Its premeditated and carefully thought out.
Again, God defends the helpless!
Proverbs 23:12NLT Commit yourself to instruction; listen carefully to words of knowledge.
Why reinvent the wheel? Grow by the mistakes as well as the gains, of others.
Testimony: Jenny and I are going to take on a walk-in shower for a project, but before we do we will watch self-help videos, and make sure we understand the correct steps to the process.
Proverbs 23:12TM Give yourselves to disciplined instruction; open your ears to tested knowledge.
The instruction manual offered for assembly aren’t suggestions, it’s a proven method from the engineer or creator.
Proverbs 23:13-14NLT Don’t fail to discipline your children. The rod of punishment won’t kill them. 14 Physical discipline may well save them from death.
How many times have you been thankful for correction you received through a life-lesson? Let me see a show of hands.
Proverbs 23:13-14TM Don’t be afraid to correct your young ones; a spanking won’t kill them. 14 A good spanking, in fact, might save them from something worse than death.
Testimony: I once laughed at something that wasn’t appropriate, my daddy wore my backside out for it. I never did it again, and until this day, I’m thankful for that spanking!
Proverbs 23:15-16NLT My child, if your heart is wise, my own heart will rejoice! 16 Everything in me will celebrate when you speak what is right.
Parents gloat over wise children!
Proverbs 23:15-16TM Dear child, if you become wise, I’ll be one happy parent. 16 My heart will dance and sing to the tuneful truth you’ll speak.
One happy parent—Think about it, outside parents talk of their children’s success to others. On the inside the heart of the parent, dances and sings melodies of the truth their children speak. P.H
Proverbs 23:17NLT Don’t envy sinners, but always continue to fear the Lord.
Sinners should be pitied.
Proverbs 23:17TM Don’t for a minute envy careless rebels; soak yourself in the Fear-of-God—
Soak yourself in the fear of God—The reverence you display on earth will go with you into eternity. P.H
Proverbs 23:18NLT You will be rewarded for this; your hope will not be disappointed.
For every believer, eternity becomes the acclamation of the fruit you display on a day too day basics.
Proverbs 23:18TM That’s where your future lies. Then you won’t be left with an armload of nothing.
As you arrive into eternity all your good deeds will be thrown at the feet of Jesus!
Psalm 37:28NLT For the Lord loves justice, and He will never abandon the godly. He will keep them safe forever, but the children of the wicked will die.
The prosperity of sinners will surely end, for the terrible God will judge them now and/or in the Day of Judgment.
Remember, “The Lord loves justice, He will never abandon the godly, He will keep the godly safe forever.”
Benediction.
