“The tongue of the righteous is choice silver; the heart of the wicked is of little worth.” Proverbs 10:20
Listen here, if you prefer.
Silver is valuable. Choices silver is of great value! A righteous tongue, here, is described as having great value. The heart is where, we in the west, consider our desires to come from. The desires of the wicked are often (mostly) worthless pursuits in God’s economy. God still loved the heart of the wicked, and He wants to redeem it into something greater.
Thank You, that You are my redeemer! Of all that I don’t do well, You look at what I do, moreover what You do through me. Thank You for the encouragement last night as people spoke highly of my curriculum. It is Yours, thank You for using me as the pen. Lord, support my family with my writing. In Jesus’ Name, amen.
“When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.” Proverbs 10:19
Listen here, if you prefer.
Talking is not always the answer. There is much more potential to sin in talking than in listening – a wise commentator says. This is a verse that we’ve often used with our children. However, as a dad when I’m only talking to hear myself talk or to be more right, the wisdom has gone; the instruction has gone, and often the listening ears have gone too.
“…just shut up.” That is so poignant to me! Forgive my constant desire to talk. Remind me of this. When I don’t know, remind me that You do! Bless my shift today, and give me ample time to listen to wise counselors. May I fill my needs willingly and joyfully in the way You have provided for me in Jesus’ Name, amen.
“The one who conceals hatred has lying lips, and whoever utters slander is a fool.” Proverbs 10:18
Listen here, if you prefer.
Concealing strong emotions leads to deceit. Solomon is expressing how hatred is often the birthplace of slander. Slander is embellishment with the intent to put someone else down. As fathers, we may try to conceal our hatred or other strong emotions, but our expressions will often reveal where our heart actually lies. Since our children are following our example, we must honestly test our hearts to see if there are any strongholds that lead us to act, speak, and even think in a manner unfitting. We all have these types of emotions, and reminding our families of the process that we are still in, as men, is ok. Repenting and asking for forgiveness, when those emotions get away from us, is also healthy.
Lord, You do know all, and I praise You that You judge righteously – and moreover, I praise You that You sanctify us before that judgment; in place of that judgment however Your unfathomable justice is served. You care for us in a manner that makes us better; more like You. Praise You! In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.
“Whoever heeds instruction is on the path to life, but he who rejects reproof leads others astray.” Proverbs 10:17
Listen here, if you prefer.
No one man knows it all. Solomon, of all the people to know this, is the one who wrote it. It seems that he also recognized that when one refuses to learn from another he not only is foolish himself but leads others into that foolishness. Children fall into this far too easily. They need someone to help pull them out, like a wise dad!
Heavenly Father keep me teachable. Inspire me to humble myself to see wisdom for what it is – no matter where, or from whom, it comes. Give me the courage to hear a brother or an authority correct my path, and then give me the strength to change that thing for Your glory and my own good. In this, help me to be an example to my children. In Jesus’ Name, I pray, amen.
The year was 2003. I was involved with a few talent agencies in Chicago, IL who were bringing me work. I had been cast in a few Industrial Films, a couple of print ads, a Television commercial (that ran all over Chicagoland that year), and two independent films. I was working a flex-time “day job” so that I could take auditions at the drop of a hat, and chasing my dream which was to make a name for myself and speak out for Christ in the process. I used to say I wanted the responsibility of carrying the torch for Christ into an extremely dark world. Looking back, what I really wanted to do, was simply what I wanted to do… and I had found a way to make Jesus “a part of it.” …and He let me do it, for a time – He even allowed me to succeed at it.
But then I stopped winning auditions. Then I stopped getting audition opportunities. One day I realized that I had forced myself into a position to be “available,” and the only opportunity in the previous two months of availability (IF I had won the audition) would only pay $400! God was taking away the supports that I had feebly wedged in underneath me, and showing me that it was time for a change. I clearly understood that God was telling me: “It’s time to take up the responsibility of what I have already given you before you reach for more.”
My boys and I in 2003
At that time, I had a wife and two children who were depending on me to provide for them, and God had blessed us with a third child who was still in utero. The child still in the womb, was the example, blaring in my face, as the responsibility He was talking about. I realized, at that time, that taking care of a wife and a family is the biggest responsibility that we can be given as men. Yes, more than any job a man could possibly hold – the President of the United States of America should be a father first! …because at the end of our lives, no one will say, “I wish I spent more time at the office.” The regrets on deathbeds sound more like, “I wish I had been there more”; “I wish I had more time with you.”
WHAT ABOUT YOU? Have you had a nagging feeling that your family is not getting as much of you as they should? Could God be speaking, “It’s time to take up the responsibility of what I have already given you, before you reach for more,” into your life? God has a plan for you, and He will never require you to neglect your children, nor your wife in order to achieve it. He designed the family for a reason, and He does not undermine His own plans.
“The wage of the righteous leads to life, the gain of the wicked to sin.” Proverbs 10:16
Listen here, if you prefer.
When we look at word wage as being the fitting payment for an action or service, we begin to see how this wisdom plays out in our lives. Solomon says the wage of the righteous, but then he refers to the simple “gain” (or fruit, earnings, income… in other translations) of the wicked. God provides us a wage, on purpose, so that we can use it to bring life to our families and to others. Working as a server a John Elway’s Steakhouse, I take home my money at the end of the night and support the life of my family with it. However, many of the others servers take that money and go get drunk, or high, and do lewd things with it. I hear stories of them getting “their reward” and it saddens me. Especially when the life and responsibility of family are neglected because of it.
Lord, Bless the work of my hands this morning, let me use the wages of my labor to bring joy and life, today, to my family, …and then bless the rest and enjoyment of this life You’ve given, this afternoon and this evening. Lord, grant me the peace to enjoy them today, in Jesus’ Name, amen.
“A rich man’s wealth is his strong city; the poverty of the poor is their ruin.” Proverbs 10:15
Listen here, if you prefer.
Wealth is practical. The plain statement that money affords certain earthly securities is not, in itself, sinful. The evil comes in our motivation to acquire or to hoard it. It takes money to build a city, and a person with no money will starve. I do not believe Solomon is advocating great riches, but demonstrating, in extremes, how money affects human life.
Father, make me neither rich nor poor, but provide for me exactly what I need… and even a little of what I want so that You are my focus and security, not money. In Jesus Name, amen.
“The wise lay up knowledge, but the mouth of a fool brings ruin near.” Proverbs 10:14
Listen here, if you prefer.
Knowledge for the future, to learn and avoid past problems. If history repeats itself perhaps we should store away the knowledge of today so that we can be wise tomorrow. Then perhaps, we should be slow to speak of things we haven’t experienced as to flee the destruction of an uncontrolled and ignorant mouth.
Lord, work this out. I can’t see the answers, and I have no precedent in my life to give me wisdom. I need You, Your strength, and Your grace. Whether this circumstance is right or wrong, help me to rely on You in this situation and to forgive where it is necessary. In Jesus’ Name, amen.
“On the lips of him who has understanding wisdom is found, but a rod is for the back of him who lacks sense.” Proverbs 10:13
Listen here, if you prefer.
“Out of the heart, the mouth speaks,” Jesus said this, and I’m sure He inspired the sentiment that Solomon puts forth here. When we are pressed, what comes out of our mouths is often indicative of what is in our hearts. So, what is in my heart, when the kids disobey, or I didn’t get my way? Do I speak life, or do I speak death and curses? The instrument of discipline, represented here as a rod, can bring understanding to him who lacks sense. This is why we are to discipline our children, and why I need to discipline myself.
Out of the heart, the mouths gives witness.
Father, lead me, strengthen me. Keep my eyes fixed on You. Saturate me with Your words and love, so that these things spill out when I am pressed. In Jesus’ Name, amen.
“Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses.” Proverbs 10:12
Listen here, if you prefer.
Hatred brings death, love brings life. Singing a similar song Solomon points out a universal truth that when one brings hate into any equation it complicates that situation drastically, both in the heart of the hater (mostly), but also in those around the hater who do not necessarily feel the same. This is where we are called to love our enemies. And of course, the refrain plays, “He was wrong to me, intentionally.” …Jesus knows that refrain too!
Lord Jesus, help me to love like You do, today. I can’t do it alone I need Your supernatural strength, but You give that freely! Thank You! In Jesus’ Name, amen.
