Proverbs 22:1-16

Proverbs 22:1-16

So many of our societal issues would be resolved if we could or would apply the wisdom of this proverb. The issues of racism, poverty, and social inequity have been a battleground for our nation for generations. But after years of effort by the left and right political systems, we haven't made much or any progress. But there are four verses in this passage that have the potential to resolve much of our strife. The equality of all men is rooted in their creation by God. There is no place for racism or superiority and certainly no place for pride if we are all created in God’s image. Equality is not man-ordered or court-established; it is God-given. As such, it is an absolute. 

To the wealthy verse 9 explains that generosity is the enviable way to live; that is what "blessed" means. The accumulation of wealth gives us an enviable life when we are generous. This is not the same as confiscation by the government but the result of a heart shaped by what we see in verse 2. 

To the poor, there is a lesson about hard work. If poverty is the result of laziness, it is an indication of weak character and is shameful. Verse 13 tells us that lazy people will always have a lame excuse for why they can't get out and work. Lions and the wilderness are a possibility; lions in the street are a useless person's excuse. In verse 16 we see the dangers of making money as the objective of life. In contrast to the enviable life of the generous man, the one who plans to be a social climber by stepping on the poor and schmoozing with the rich will end up ruined.

Sadly, we train our children in the two vices of greed and laziness. In verse 6 we see the positive possibility. To teach children the enviable life, but it is rarely taught in a full-spectrum measure kind of way. Instead we train our children to be cranks and verbal pugilists. We see this happening and reflected in verse 10. We are a contentious society because we are allowing the scoffers from each side to be the primary voices. Until our conversations and society are shaped by people of good conscience, it will only get worse.

“Lord, help me to shape the society to come by shaping children today. AMEN."