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THIS WEEK’S BIBLE INSIGHTS ARE BY:
Steve Maltz and are based on Proverbs 11 (NIV)
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO READ MORE ON THIS WEEK’S MAJOR THEME:
Proverbs 14
1 The Lord detests dishonest scales, but accurate weights find favour with him. 2 When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. 3 The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity. 4 Wealth is worthless in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death. 5 The righteousness of the blameless makes their paths straight, but the wicked are brought down by their own wickedness. 6 The righteousness of the upright delivers them, but the unfaithful are trapped by evil desires. 7 Hopes placed in mortals die with them; all the promise of their power comes to nothing. 8 The righteous person is rescued from trouble, and it falls on the wicked instead. 9 With their mouths the godless
Sunday May 11 - Be approved
The Lord detests dishonest scales, but accurate weights find favour with him. Proverbs 11:1
This week we are going to be challenged on many fronts. I have selected seven out of the 31 Proverbs on offer in this chapter because they are the ones that spoke to me the most. It is my hope and prayer that they can bless you too.
We start with the question of honesty. There was a time when I had no conscience at all about pilfering from the office, even when I could justify it with a lame excuse. These days I would balk at even stealing a paper clip. Why would that be? ‘Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed...’ (2 Timothy 2:15).
Where do you draw the line? A paper clip or a laptop – it’s not all a matter of degree. A sin is a sin. It’s always going to be best dealing with accurate weights rather than dishonest scales, because we all want to do our very best – don’t we? None of us wants to have any reason for shame. If we leave just the slightest space for the enemy to wedge himself into our lives, even in the guise of a paper clip, then it could be the start of a slippery slope downwards. Be approved!
Father in heaven, let me be known before God and man for my honesty. Amen.
destroy their neighbours, but through knowledge the righteous escape. 10 When the righteous prosper, the city rejoices; when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy. 11 Through the blessing of the upright a city is exalted, but by the mouth of the wicked it is destroyed. 12 Whoever derides their neighbour has no sense, but the one who has understanding holds their tongue. 13 A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret.
22 Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout is a beautiful woman who shows no discretion. 23 The desire of the righteous ends only in good, but the hope of the wicked only in wrath. 24 One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.
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PRAYER FOR TODAY