Proverbs 11

Proverbs 11:1-31

A false balance is an abomination to the Lord,

 but a just weight is his delight.

• No cheating – not for any reason.  Even if it’s seemingly for “good” reasons, it will come back to bite you, or bite someone.  God knows this and commands us to be fair, acting with integrity.

 When pride comes, then comes disgrace,

but with the humble is wisdom.

• "Pride comes before a fall” … You’ve likely heard that one.  
• Even if you have something to be proud of (especially if you do), humility shows wisdom.  Pride shows ignorance.
• As mentioned in other studies, this is not a “pride” you feel in your kids, or in a job well done.  It’s a giving of credit to yourself, or use of something to show you are somehow “superior”.  That’s the pride God hates.

 The integrity of the upright guides them,

 but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them.

• Mark Twain said, “If you always tell the truth, you never have to remember anything.”  Act with integrity in all situations.   It will make life much easier overall.
• I remember a young boy who took an orange from the fridge and would NOT admit he took it.  He even blamed it on his sister.  The hole kept getting deeper and deeper until there was no way out.  If he’d just admitted he took the orange, the damage would have been minimal.  But, by adding a lie – even a small one – he made the situation exponentially worse.  

 Riches do not profit in the day of wrath,

 but righteousness delivers from death.

 The righteousness of the blameless keeps his way straight,

but the wicked falls by his own wickedness.

 The righteousness of the upright delivers them,

but the treacherous are taken captive by their lust.

• Rich and powerful here on Earth?  So what?  That means nothing to God.  In fact, it may mean the opposite.  You can not have two gods – you can only SERVE one.  
• Being righteous (honestly trying your best to follow His commandments) and believing in the Way, the Truth and the Life, will deliver you from spiritual, eternal death.
• Taking God’s commands into our hearts "delivers us from evil” as we pray in the Lord’s Prayer.  We must know this and remind ourselves of this often or we’ll be swept away by the lies and temptations of this world.  Even Mother Theresa was a sinner – if this applies to her, it applies to me, for sure.

 When the wicked dies, his hope will perish,

and the expectation of wealth perishes too.

• All things of this world fade.  Just like us, it rusts, depreciates, is eaten by moths, etc.  It will not last.  
• Only hope lasts – and that hope is in Jesus.

 The righteous is delivered from trouble,

and the wicked walks into it instead.

• If you don’t know what to avoid, you’ll walk right into the traps of this world.  
• Righteousness starts with knowledge – we must study.

 With his mouth the godless man would destroy his neighbor,

but by knowledge the righteous are delivered.

• Words are powerful.  Words from a fool, spewing nonsense, are not without impact.  Someone will be hurt, even destroyed

 When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices,

and when the wicked perish there are shouts of gladness.

 By the blessing of the upright a city is exalted,

but by the mouth of the wicked it is overthrown.

• Ever have that gross feeling of being glad when something horrible happens to a horrible person?  Doesn’t feel Christian, but it’s normal human nature.  
• We like the good guy to win and the bad guy to fall.  
• Put good leadership in place, with a good heart for God, and a city will thrive.  
• A city lead by a wicked, earthly person will fall in some way – financially, morally, or actually in war.

 Whoever belittles his neighbor lacks sense,

but a man of understanding remains silent.

 Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets,

but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered.

• Do you really think you look better when deprecating someone else?  Quite the opposite - you look like a catty, jerk.
• If you are not building someone up with your words, keep your mouth shut.  
• By slandering someone else, you’re really telling people about YOUR nature.  You can not be trusted, for sure.
• Keep secrets if asked, or no more secrets will be shared with you.

 Where there is no guidance, a people falls,

 but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.

• "No man is an island.”  I work with some guys that believe they can exist as an island.  This is just pride and subsequent ego.
• We should always be open to help, constructive criticism.  This shows humility, and people want to help those who are humble.  
• And the more advice you have, the bigger your data set, the better (and safer) your decisions.

 Whoever puts up security for a stranger will surely suffer harm,

but he who hates striking hands in pledge is secure.

• A repeat Truth from God.  Don’t put up security (vouch) for someone else.  You do not have control over them – and you don’t know who DOES have control over them.
• Best to avoid this completely.

 A gracious woman gets honor,

and violent men get riches.

 A man who is kind benefits himself,

but a cruel man hurts himself.

• “Violent men get riches” - need to look this up.  It’s true that violent men may get temporary “riches”, but they will pay for it in the end.  
• People appreciate a woman of grace, always looking to serve.  They are treated with honor, for good reason.
• Being kind, truly kind with no expectation of reciprocity, ends up helping you.  We should give kindness in all situations, even to our enemies.  God promises this will benefit you in some way.
• Men who are cruel (like the violent man) end up hurting their reputation … how they are perceived and subsequently trusted, etc.  He’s only hurting himself.  

 The wicked earns deceptive wages,

but one who sows righteousness gets a sure reward.

 Whoever is steadfast in righteousness will live,

but he who pursues evil will die.

 Those of crooked heart are an abomination to the Lord,

but those of blameless ways are his delight.

• Do the right thing, even when the right thing means someone else gets ahead by doing something unethical or evil.  Ignore them and do your thing.  Persist regardless of the situation or environment.
• Just know that God will take care of the “inequities” in the end.  He will favor those who follow His commands.  The last shall be first, and the first shall be last.  The meek shall inherit the earth.  

 Be assured, an evil person will not go unpunished,

but the offspring of the righteous will be delivered.

• Nobody “gets away with it”.  It may not be immediate, or in this lifetime, but payment will come.

 Like a gold ring in a pig's snout

is a beautiful woman without discretion.

 The desire of the righteous ends only in good;

 the expectation of the wicked in wrath.

• I’ve talked to some people of certain denominations that think – once Jesus came – that God was no longer a wrathful, jealous God.  God does not change.  We do.  
• God’s wrath will come down on sinner’s who have not accepted the free gift that is God’s grace through Jesus Christ.  This is a tough reality, but it IS reality.

 One gives freely, yet grows all the richer;

another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want.

• DO NOT withhold if it is in your power to give!  Shout this to yourself!  This is a repeated command throughout scripture.  
• Give and God will provide.  Show your lack of trust in God by withholding from others and you will lose.

 Whoever brings blessing will be enriched,

and one who waters will himself be watered.

 The people curse him who holds back grain,

but a blessing is on the head of him who sells it.

 Whoever diligently seeks good seeks favor,

but evil comes to him who searches for it.

 Whoever trusts in his riches will fall,

but the righteous will flourish like a green leaf.

 Whoever troubles his own household will inherit the wind,

and the fool will be servant to the wise of heart.

 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life,

and whoever captures souls is wise.

• Bless, water … give and you will receive.  What will you receive?  What you really need, not necessarily what you think you need.
• Share the wealth.  This is our personal responsibility.  Nothing you have is from you.  It all came as a blessing from God.  Give what has been given to you.
• Looking for trouble?  You’ll find it.  Seeking out evil things, you’ll find them.
• Trusting in your bank account for security?  Don’t count on it.  It can all vanish in a moment.
• How does one “capture souls”?  By telling the good news.  You may be the ONLY way someone hears the gospel and knows about Jesus.  By planting a seed with someone, you are helping to capture their soul for their Creator and their Lord and eventual Savior.

 If the righteous is repaid on earth,

how much more the wicked and the sinner.

• We will all be “repaid” - it will either be good or bad payment, though.