Islington Baptist Church March 19, 2006
Proverbs 21-25 Genesis 41
8 more ways to be wise
This morning as we carry on our study in the Proverbs I would like to share with you an example of utter foolishness. This comes from this weeks Tuesday edition of the National Post.
Every year at University of Toronto’s convocation ceremony this prayer is read “Eternal God, from whom alone comes wisdom and understanding, we pray that you will bless and preserve our Universities, Colleges and Schools. In particular, we pray that you will look with favour upon this university and all its sons and daughters. Let knowledge be increased among us and all good learning flourish and abound. Bless all who teach and all who learn, and grant that we may always look to you, the source of light and ground of truth, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.”
Recently the Toronto Secular Alliance, a student group that denies the existence of God complained to the university, demanding that this prayer be stricken from future convocation ceremonies. The Convocation Review Committee is weighing their demands and will soon make a decision.
What is foolish about this?
Any time you decide to kick God out of something, you are making a big mistake….
Last week we did an overview of Proverbs 20-25 and considered 9 ways to be wise…
1. Don’t “fall in love” with alcohol
2. Stop blaming God when things go wrong
3. Jesus is the best and most faithful friend you’ll ever have.
4. Work hard at whatever you do
5. It’s better to have peaceful relationships and no money than lots of money and trouble
6. If you want your friendships to last, use your tongue wisely
7. Pride comes before a fall
8. Double check to make sure your motives are right
9. Put God in everything you do.
This week: 8 more ways to be wise
1. Be aware that if you are married and argumentative that you are making your spouse miserable
“Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.” Proverbs 21:9
Best not to see this verse as only referring to the wife. The verse has something to say to either a husband or a wife.
The reference is probably to the little guest room that would be built on the roof. It would be cramped and lonely--but peaceful in avoiding strife.
Point: Argumentative, crabby, grumpy, complainers are no fun to be around. If you are married your goal in life is not to give your spouse a hard time, nor is it to “nit pick” and question everything they do.
Point: If you are not married and looking to be, ask yourself this question: Am I overly opinionated? Do I love to argue? Am I super picky? If you think the answer is yes, then…..
See Ephesians 5:21-33 on how husbands and wives to relate.
2. Save for a “rainy day”
“In the house of the wise are stores of choice food and oils, but a foolish man devours all he has.” Proverbs 21:20
Who knows the account of Joseph and the 7 years of plenty and the 7 years of famine? (see Genesis 41) If not for Joseph all the extra crops would have been left to rot in the fields. Instead store houses were built and the food was saved and so were the people.
As it pertains to budgeting and saving we always need to start with God. When you get some money- whether it be a pension check, ODSP, an inheritance, social assistance, a gift, or your paycheck,
1. The first thing you need to do, according to the Scriptures (Malachi 3:8-12, Numbers 18:21-24), is to give 10% towards the work of the Kingdom of God.
2. After this you need to put the money towards the essentials of life: food, shelter, clothing.
3. After you put aside the money you need towards the essentials of life, you need to heed the counsel of Proverbs 21:20 and put some money aside for emergencies and possible hard times.
4. After doing all this now you are free, with whatever money is left to buy whatever luxuries you want—cell phones, cable T.V, movies, music, etc.
3. Stay out of debt.
As it says in Proverbs 22:26-27 “Do not be a man who strikes hands in pledge or puts up security for debts; if you lack the means to pay, your very bed will be snatched from under you.”
MEANING: If you go into debt and can’t pay, expect debt collectors to show up and take whatever they can.
a. We need to have a “pay as you go” mentality. We need to save for the things we want.
b. There are very few legitimate reasons for going into debt. i.e house mortgages, emergencies
c. Should not be carrying credit card debt. If you have a credit card, you need to be paying it off every month when you get your bill
4. Don’t be God’s enemy; instead surrender yourself to Him and accept his gracious offer of forgiveness and peace in Christ Jesus.
“There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the LORD.” Proverbs 21:30
In Isaiah 40:10ff the prophet Isaiah speaks of how God is full of power and that he knows exactly how much water is on the earth. Not only that, God knows how much the earth weighs, how wide the universe is. As it pertains to His power and size, we the nations are but a drop in a bucket. Our worth compared to God is zilch.
Despite this many people decide to pick a fight with God anyways. Many, as the Apostle James says in James 4 live as enemies of God. To oppose our Maker, to rebel against Him, to ignore Him and His blessed laws for living before Him is absolute foolishness. It’s like a fly deciding to take on transport truck. The end of such a person is judgment. (Hebrews 10:27)
There is only one wise thing to do: The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom. Getting right with God, seeking peace with Him- on His terms is what we must do.
God’s terms for peace: Belief in Jesus as Lord, the cross of Christ, admittance of and repentance of ones sin. Becoming a committed follower of Jesus.
Nothing can match being at peace with God.
5. Attempt to rescue those who are on a path to disaster and death
“Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter. If you say, “But we knew nothing about this,” does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who guards your life know it? Will he not repay each person according to what he has done.” Proverbs 24:11-12.
Song: Rescue the perishing
Who does these verses, which sound like they came directly from the mouth of Jesus, have in mind?
The drug addict, the one giving themselves to alcoholism, the teen who is joining a gang, the gambling addict, the one hooked on porn and prostitutes and in sexual relations that the Scriptures forbid.
As it pertains to such people, we ought not to throw up our hands and say “It’s a free country”, “I can’t stop them”, “It’s not my place” , “I’d better to mind my own business”, “I’m not going to get involved” , “I’m not my ‘brothers keeper’” (so said wicked Cain after murdering his brother). We need to do something.
Who else does this verse have in mind?
All those who are on the broad path that leads to Hell. In Matthew 7:13-14 Jesus says "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”
What are we do to? Open our mouths and tell people about Jesus and how in Him and through Him alone one can come to have peace with God.
6. Be careful about who you make friends with
“Do not make friends with a hot tempered man, do not associate with one easily angered, or you may learn his ways and get yourself ensnared.” Proverbs 22:24-25
i. As it pertains to the friends we keep, we have a choice.
ii. The friends you and I choose will have an influence on us.
i.e If you have as a friend someone who is always cursing and swearing, the odds are that you are soon going to be doing the same
i.e If you have a friend who specializes if lying, being devious and underhanded, and robbing the local Walmart, odds are that you are going to find yourself in some very compromising situations
i.e. If you have a friend who sleeps around and has all sorts of views on sexuality that are opposed to the Word of God, the chances are that you- without planning to do so- are going to lower your moral standards—first in your head and then perhaps with your own body.
i.e If you have a friend who has “hair trigger temper” or a “short fuse” the chances are that you are going to become less patient and more rude.
The counsel of Proverbs: Don’t make friends with such people. Be discriminating (yes I know this is a dirty word in our culture) in terms of the friends you make.
7. Don’t wear out your welcome with people. Know when to go.
“Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house—too much of you, and he will hate you.” Proverbs 25:17
Sue and I practice this principal all the time. For example, when Scott goes next door to play with his friend Marco, we only allow him to go over for one hour. Likewise, when Marco comes over, we try to limit the time to that as well.
Why do we do this? We’ve discovered that if they or we spend too much time at once with others that invariably we or they will grow grumpy and say or do things that they otherwise would not. Thus, to keep our sons and our friendships strong- we limit the time. It’s far better to leave wanting more of the person, than to leave never wanting to see them again. The old saying “Familiarity breeds contempt” is true.
Note: This principal would be considered a wise guideline to live by and not a “Command of God”
8. Love your enemies, do good to them.
“If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.” Proverbs 25:21-22.
“If you come across your enemy’s ox or donkey wandering off, be sure to take it back to him. If you see the donkey of someone who hates you fallen down under its load, do not leave it there; be sure you him with it. Exodus 23:4-5
What is our natural inclination towards those who do us wrong? To retaliate, to get even, to pay them back if the opportunity so arises.
Here in our text we are told that if our enemy becomes vulnerable that we are not to view this as an opportunity for payback. Rather, in our enemies time of need we are to, as we are able, try to meet that need. The result: 1. Possible conviction in their hearts regarding the sins they have committed against you 2. Blessing and reward from God.
In Luke 6:27-28 Jesus says "But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.
CONCLUSION
8 more ways to be wise
1. Love your enemies, do good to them
2. Don’t wear out your welcome with people. Know when to go.
3. Be careful about who you make friends with
4. Attempt to rescue those who are on a path to disaster and death
5. Don’t be God’s enemy; instead surrender yourself to Him and accept his gracious offer of forgiveness and peace in Christ Jesus.
6. Stay out of debt.
7. Save for a “rainy day”
8. If you are married and argumentative wake up and stop making your spouse miserable
Prayer
