Proverbs 13:13-25

Proverbs 13:13-25

More than a few church leaders, both professional and volunteer, have found themselves in ruin. A young man I know, who had all the potential in the world, is now in jail and will likely be there for a very long time. Verse 13 says the one who “despises the word” (NASB) or “scorns instruction” (NIV) would be better translated, “the one who handles the word, or matter, negligently cannot escape consequences.” When we treat the word of God carelessly, we will not be able to avoid the consequences of wrong moral development. When we take the Word as a quick fix or try to find proof to support our own lives, we end up reinforcing our bad ideas and/or wrong behaviors. In contrast, the one who “fears the commandment” has the opposite outcome. What does it mean to “fear the word”? Simply put, be terrified of getting it wrong because of the dangers involved. When taking a powerful medication, we need to fear taking it wrong. We need to fear improper handling of a firearm. We need to fear improper use of a chainsaw. All of these, used properly, can be extremely beneficial. But in negligence there is death. Even the most bright, talented, and potentially great people who don't take the word seriously will be ruined.

Truett Cathy once said, “It is easier to succeed than to fail.” That seems odd because success requires so much work. But we see this principle expressed at work in verse 15. Wisdom and right choices will produce favor. Favor is more than something we ask for; it is the result of good understanding, i.e., both thinking and doing. Verse 15b says the path or way of the treacherous or transgressor is hard. His is a harsh and forbidding path, as if walking down a stony descent. The choices of green meadows and pastures or barren deserts are ours. So which is the harder place to travel to and live in?

“Lord, help me see the intrinsic value of doing the right thing. AMEN.” 

Proverbs 13:1-12

Proverbs 13:1-12

Without a doubt there are real advantages to having great wealth. But Solomon, one of the richest men in all of history, also points out some real disadvantages of wealth. He even gives a nod to some advantages of humble means.

Note in verse 7 we see the nearly universal condition that we want to appear wealthy. To appear well-off and successful is the point of much of our social persona, but some wealthy people downplay their wealth. Why is that the case? In verse 8 we see a reason. No one ever holds a homeless man for ransom. Lawyers never bring a civil action against someone who is broke and can't pay. The broke person doesn't sweat one more “overdue” notice. They ignore it or can't hear the demand for money. “You want money from me? Get in line with everyone else.”

In verse 11 there is a warning everyone whose wealth is tied to the general economy should take to heart. The English translation struggles with one of the key words. It is the word "habal." It is the theme word for the Book of Ecclesiastes, where it is translated as "vanity." It can also be translated as "breath" or "smoke." Here the word is translated “dishonest money” in the NIV and a little better as “fraud” by the New American Standard Bible. If we read that verse carefully, we may find its meaning clear in an example or two. Remember the S&L crash, the dot-com bubble crash, and the subprime market crash? There were individuals that lost millions and businesses that went under because their wealth was based on a fiat value. Any economy or personal wealth based on speculation or habal is only a bad bit of news away from ruin. In contrast, consider the small local tradesmen who provide essential goods or services. He may suffer some during a downturn, but even in a downturn people will need food from a farmer or repair from a mechanic. If we are forever after the big score of wealth, our heart will never be whole. But if we hope for honest work and to serve others, that hope will be fulfilled.

“Help me, Lord, to do honest work, honestly done, that honors You. AMEN."

Proverbs 12:15-28

Proverbs 12:15-28

We hear much about the great division in our nation. We have not been so divided since the fratricidal war of the 1860s. The near complete absence of civil discourse does not bode well for our country. If you want likes, followers, and a large social media presence, you need to be extreme. So voices of advocacy and opposition on every subject become more shrill and more radical. To be popular in this extreme atmosphere, the message is, “I and my side are right, and if you listen and agree with me, it would be best for everyone.” One example will suffice. A young Black man who was charged with killing a white peer is portrayed as a racist by one side and a victim by the other. A charity raised about $1 million for his family. A white woman yells a racial slur while on a playground. The event is recorded and posted and becomes a flashpoint. Fundraisers are established, and she and her family will receive almost $1 million. This kind of noise is foolish.

In contrast, Proverbs 12 offers wisdom. The advice of 12:15-23, if followed, would offer much help to our sad state. As we read these verses, we shouldn't say, “They are fools and should pay attention.” Rather, we ought to ask, “Am I being foolish?” Could verse 16 apply to us if we read it this way, “If you give a fool your anger, it is immediately posted to social media”? In contrast, a wise man keeps shameful things hidden. Verse 18 could say letting out your frustration loudly is like randomly swinging a sword in a crowd. Keeping your opinions under wraps is productive because if your opinions are right, time will prove them so (v. 19). Verse 23 seems odd to us, but consider thinking about it in a different way: “The fool's heart is in his mouth; the wise man's mouth is in his heart.” We are more influenced, in real terms, by being in real relationships and offering guidance where we say less, but what we say has more value (v 26). Our temptation is to say, “Yea, they ought to do this: talk less, relate more. But this path isn't for sinners or fools; this is the path for the people of God.

“Lord, grant me the wisdom to say less while building closer relationships. AMEN.”

IMPORTANT PIGGY UPDATE

 UNEXPECTED CHANGE OF PLANS

Due to my real-world job, I have to make some changes to the hobby job of pig farming.  

First I have to move the sale date for the piglets up from Sept 12, 2026, to Aug 29, 2026.   The piglets will be 4 and 6 weeks old. That is a little younger than I prefer to sell them, but they will be fine.  The price will still be $75 each for one or two pigs, $65 each for three to nine pigs, and $50 each for ten or more.

Supply is limited!  One of the fat moms sat on, lay on, and stepped on a number of piglets.  We have 20 piglets left. Fat Mom has an appointment with the butcher, in case you wanted to know.  

First-come, first-served basis.  I will start selling at 8:00 AM that Saturday.  To be fair to everyone, I will not take deposits or sell early.  Cash only (Please bring the correct change if possible).  

Location is ¾ of a mile east of US Hwy 231 on AL Hwy 51 (toward Ariton). Turn east and look for the sign that says PIG FOR SALE.  I live in the RV (whatever you do, don’t go to the brick house).

Additionally, I will have 2 pigs that weigh about 100 pounds each.  My plan was to raise them for my own freezer, but I am radically downsizing my herd.  The price is $175 per pig and $300 for both.  Price is FIRM. DM me about picking up or delivering (fee applies).

Finally, someone asked if I had any pregnant sows.  One of my sows is going into heat.  If you are interested in a bred sow, contact me ASAP.  Here is what you need to know.  I will only present her to the boar after I have $200 earnest money in hand, nonrefundable.  She has had 11 piglets on average.  I cannot guarantee conception, but I can guarantee that my boar is a proven performer.  For this bred sow I will charge $650, FIRM.  Do the math; she will likely pay for herself in her first litter.  She is easy to work with except when in heat; then she is very demanding.  

If you have any questions, please DM me with your phone number, and we can text/talk. I apologize for the change in plans, but life is what happens to us on our way to what we have planned.

334-249-5600 Text first

Proverbs 12:1-14

Proverbs 12:1-14

There are unexpected insights and glimpses of wisdom available to us by asking a few simple questions. For example, in verse 6B, who are the “them” being rescued? At first reading we might say those rescued are the "upright." But there may be more to it than that. It might be that the ‘words’ or ‘mouth’ of the upright are rescuing those that the evil plan to kill, but these are not the same people as the 'upright.' An illustration might be that there are wicked people who, for various reasons, advocate for abortions, while the ‘upright’ teach about and prevent these in-womb murders.

Verse 9 offers a dichotomy that we might miss because of translation. The last part of verse 9A might be translated as “but is a servant to himself." This contrast works a little better. The self-employed, hard-working entrepreneur and small businessman (shopkeeper, tradesman, craftsman) is better off than the one who pretends to be a captain of industry or executive who is on the verge of financial ruin. 

The need to supply a noun in English may inadvertently limit the scope of v. 11. In 11b we could, or even should, read “he who pursues vain lacks sense/heart." What could fill that gap where we have placed the noun "things"? Certainly things could apply; we think of foolish trinkets of our life. We could include people who are fans or groupies of low-character entertainers. We could even include various religions or philosophies; think of persons who would rather focus on speculations. From video games to watching sports, people without sense or heart squander their lives.

Verse 12 gives us an odd contrast. Why is a net (the word translated as "plunder" or "booty") contrasted with a tree? The picture here is of patience. A well-set snare may yield game quickly, but a planted tree will take years to be fully fruitful. Wicked people can be very important in the short run, but those who are righteous play the long game.

“Lord, help me to practice the wisdom of waiting. AMEN.”

Proverbs 11:17-31

Proverbs 11:17-31 

One of the challenges we face is, as the saying goes, “to keep the main thing the main thing.” In other words, our tendency is to make the “advantages and benefits” of life the focus of our lives. We fail to realize that these are or should be secondary byproducts. In Proverbs we see a return to ‘the primary’ as the focus of life rather than the less important secondary benefits. This focus is hard to maintain with all the secondary beneficial distractions. In verse 19 we may see the word ‘steadfastness’ in our English translation. This verse speaks of the vigilance needed to live righteously. Righteous living is no fluke or accident but rather the focused agenda of life; it is the consecrated effort of every moment and decision. Life is the byproduct, not the objective. 

An example of the unexpected byproduct is provided for us in verse 21. The Hebrew idiom is difficult to understand. Verse 21 literally says, “Hand to hand, the evil man will not go unpunished.” What does “hand to hand” mean? There are three possibilities: one, the powerful union of evil people will not protect the evil individual. Two, the evil that passes from generation to generation will bring certain ruin. Third, engaging in evil is to be held by the hand that leads to destruction. Whatever the author's specific meaning, the by-product of evil is ruin. 

Verse 30 is unexpected. We might have expected that the righteous man is a tree of life. But it refers to the fruit of his life. The emphasis is laid on the attractive power of his conduct and goodness. Few things are less attractive than a person who is short-tempered, harsh, and arrogant and who blabs a lot of ‘God-talk.’ But the man whose gracious behavior springs from an inner righteousness is powerfully attractive. The English translation of the second part of this verse is a little weak. “Wins” could literally be translated as "seize, take, marry, or buy." This is not a call to coerce conversion, but our lives are so compelling and their total goodness is such that people's souls find them completely irresistible. 

“Lord, let my life be a powerful attraction to draw all men to You. AMEN.”

Proverbs 11:1-16

Proverbs 11:1-16 

So many of the Proverbs have subtle and unexpected twists or conclusions that ought to cause us to pause and think about personal application. Verse 2 is a prime example. The first part is so well accepted that it has become an often-quoted maxim. But in the second part there is an unexpected twist. Read it fast and fail to think about it, and you will miss it. In contrast to “when pride comes, then comes dishonor,” we might expect “but with humility there is respect.” But that's not what we see. What we see is that “with the humble there is wisdom.” There is no promise of honor for the humble. In fact, in this world the humble person may not be honored or even noticed. The benefit of humility is primarily internal and personal. There are no award shows or trophies for the humble. They have a better, hidden, and internal reward: they operate out of and give more wisdom. 

Another unexpected turn occurs in verse 9. It was once believed that the internet in general and social media specifically would somehow promote unity and social concord by giving the average person a platform to hear and be heard. What is actually happening is that the most extreme and evil voices garner the most attention because they are the personification of their given position. Choose any subject, and the rhetoric is driven by those who would most aggressively tear down the other side. “They are destroying their neighbor." The second part of the verse offers a twist. On the surface we may see that by knowledge (righteous knowledge) the godly person avoids the destruction that the godless man brings. But there is a subtle implication here. By the godly knowledge of the righteous man, the hypocrites or the evil man benefit and are rescued. The ruin of a people is prevented by the knowledge or the wisdom of the righteous.

“Help me, Lord, to operate with the humble wisdom that You provide. Amen.”