Proverbs 28:1-10

verse 5: “Evil men do not understand justice, But those who seek the LORD understand all things.”

I’ve mentioned before enjoying the old Saturday morning cartoon Superfriends. During that first season of the show, the majority, if not all, of the “villains” were not really evil, just misguided in their attempts. They usually learned that what they did was wrong, or at least saw that they could’ve accomplished their goals through less selfish means. Most of them regretted the harm they caused.

But there are those in the world today who do not understand the concept of justice; they only see “their” way as the right way…because they don’t know God’s way. We are not dumb or misguided (as the world says) for wanting to follow God’s way; He knows what’s best for us. Because we follow God’s teachings, we can understand it all. Like Him, we need to love the sinner, but hate the sin. To quote the old question in our daily walk on this old world: “what would Jesus do?”

Something to think about today.

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Proverbs 27:10-16

verse 10: “Do not forsake your own friend or your father’s friend, And do not go to your brother’s house in the day of your calamity; Better is a neighbor who is near than a brother far away.”

My wife and I became close friends with a co-worker of mine some years ago. We were there for her as she went through a divorce and a job change. We were even part of her wedding to her second husband. Most memorable of all is when we found out that she had accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior, after she had moved away for another job change. We rejoiced with her in that most wonderful decision. We consider her our “little sister” and she has referred to us as her “big siblings”. She did tell me once that I had been more of a brother than her true brother who lives many states away; I’ve always considered that a high compliment.

That memory above is a good example of today’s verse. Footnotes in my Bible and in the Holman Concordance on Proverbs (page 176) clarify that this verse doesn’t slam familial relationships; it praises the neighbor who is a friend in need. Sometimes family can live too far away to be of immediate help in times of crisis; that’s where, as a Christian friend and neighbor, we should be ready to step in and help our fellow neighbors. After all…what would Jesus do?

Something to think about today.

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Proverbs 17:5-6

verse 5: “He who mocks the poor reproaches his Maker; he who rejoices at calamity will not go unpunished.”

In this modern age, we get a lot of news and sports information from online news sources. In addition, the publisher of those news stories invites the reader to register (usually for free) and post a comment on the story. It seems that there are 3 types of “posters”: the one who is leaving a comment having nothing to do with the story, but looking for free “advertising”; the intelligent poster who is giving a well-thought out response to the article (whether you agree with their opinion or not); and the poster who gives the less-than-thought-out response. It is the last of these groups who seem to take delight in a person’s misfortunes, more than often.

Solomon is warning us in this verse, that God will judge those who mock the poor. The Holman Concordance on Proverbs (pg. 173) says it another way in that “when you mock the poor, you mock their Maker”. After all, we are all made in God’s image…and God will not be mocked.

So before you make fun of someone else’s misfortunes, take a minute and think about it. To quote a familiar phrase, WWJD: what would Jesus do?

Have a blessed day!

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2 Corinthians 6:1-6

verse 3: “giving no cause for offense in anything, in order that the ministry be not discredited,”

I have been asked before by friends and acquaintances why I do not drink alcohol. Among the reasons I have (upbringing, personal choice, physical effects, I plain do not like the stuff!, etc.) is this one: I do not want to hurt the witness of Christ in my life to a new or struggling believer. I would not want to confuse a new or beginning believer in the faith by such actions, when they are still vulnerable to the world’s influences.

Paul said pretty much the same here and previously. His spiritual integrity in the ministry was extraordinary, and left his opposition without ammuntion….not even a slingshot! We may be the only Jesus that some folks see today; that’s why it’s especially painful when “public” figures in Christian ministry, whether political or celebrity, stumble in sin. We all still sin, that’s why we need to ask God’s forgiveness when we do sin.

The litmus test for questionable behavior and actions still remains: “What would Jesus do?”

Have a blessed day!

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