February 21 -- "The Blessing of Work"

Today’s Reading: Proverbs 12 

"The Blessing of Work"

The Biblical work ethic is one of hard work and diligence. Colossians 3:23-25 says, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” Here, we are commanded to put forth our best efforts, to work from our heart and soul at whatever we do. 

Interestingly, it was God who instituted work at the beginning of creation (prior to the Fall). Genesis 2:15 says, “The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.” Work is not a burden or an inconvenience in life (as some consider it), it is part of the overall scope of God’s creative genius. The promise here is that working hard will result in “plenty of bread.”

Solomon’s writings contain many wise sayings regarding work. Proverbs 14:23 says, “All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.” Proverbs 6:6-11 says, “Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest.” Ecclesiastes 9:10 says, “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might.”

The New Testament contains another important principle regarding work: “If a man will not work, he shall not eat.” (2 Thessalonians 3:10) The refusal of an able-bodied person to work should have the consequence that he lacks food. Paul also says that an “idle” man who refuses to work should not be part of the church (verse 6). Solomon here calls it “following worthless pursuits.” The person who spends their time being idle or slothful, or trying to get out of working simply “lacks sense.”

It is important to note that the Bible does not condone workaholism. We do not work merely to amass worldly wealth (in fact, Matthew 6:19-34 warns about this). We work to bring glory to God. We also do not work ourselves into the ground or to the extent that our health is damaged or our families suffer.

Christians should work hard. Work is integral to life, and approaching work as God-given will give us more pleasure in it. We can work cheerfully and without complaint because we are working for the Lord who loves us and has redeemed us. A good work ethic can also be a witness to others (Matthew 5:16). The world takes notice of our efforts and wonders why we do what we do. Accordingly, the follower of Christ should stand out as the hardest worker in the firm; demonstrating the highest work ethic of all.

February 20 -- "The Irony of Charity"

Today’s Reading: Proverbs 11 

"The Irony of Charity"

The Bible is packed full of unconventional wisdom and paradoxes of truth. For example, we must go “down” in order to go “up” (James 4:10). Another example is that when we are “weak” then we are “strong” (2 Corinthians 12:10) Another, we must “lose” our life to “find” it (Matthew 10:39). Another, to be “great” we must be a “servant” (Matthew 20:26).

When Jesus walked this earth, He shocked the world with His unconventional teaching. He would often take a commonly accepted cultural belief and flip it completely upside down by using the leading phrase, “You have heard that it has been said…” and then rocking their belief by saying, “But I say to you…”.

In our culture today, there is a commonly accepted belief regarding riches and wealth. This is the belief that to be happy and satisfied, you must get rich by paying yourself first and holding tightly to the assets you’ve accumulated. The “path to financial freedom” is to invest in your personal future. On this topic, like so many others, the Bible is very unconventional. It may seem paradoxical or even ironic, but according to Scripture, the way to enrich yourself is to open your tight fist and use your assets to bless and enrich others.

One of the striking truths of Scripture is that you cannot outgive God. The more we give, the more we receive. Here in Proverbs 11:25, we are told that the path to enrichment is to open our penny-pinching fingers and use our assets to bring blessing to others. God’s promise is that “the liberal soul shall be made fat” (KJV). — He who gives to those in need, in the true spirit of charity, shall get a hundredfold from God's mercy. How wonderful is the Lord! He gives us the property, gives the heart to use it correctly, and rewards us for doing so - even though all the fruit was found from Himself!

You have heard that it has been said, “Hold on to all that you have, you never know when you may need it,” but I say to you, “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over.” (Luke 6:38) Unconventional wisdom - If you want your life to be enriched, then make it your aim to bless others. You will be soaked with blessings from Heaven when you do.

February 19 -- "The Road Not Taken"

 Today’s Reading: Proverbs 9 & 10

"The Road Not Taken"

In Robert Frost’s poem, “The Road Not Taken” we read these words: “Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.” The metaphor of the road is one that speaks to us of a journey, with many roads which we must travel along, and with many alternative paths which we must choose between. As the two roads diverged, the author was forced to choose one, because he could not take both. By choosing one, this meant that he also necessarily had to choose not to take the other. In opting for one road, he was consciously rejecting the other.

In a similar fashion, Proverbs 10 lays out for us two distinct roads our lives could take during our journey here on earth. One is the road to life. The other, the road to going astray. We, too, must pause and intently consider these two roads, because we cannot take both. In opting for one road, we must make the conscious choice not to take the other.

Verse 17 tells us that “whoever heeds instruction is on the path to life.” This path is the road of submission to Jesus Christ. If we heed His instruction, trust His love, and follow His guidance, He will lead us to this “life.” This is the road to everlasting life – not only in the future “by-and-by” but in the present “here-and-now.” Jesus said that He had come to bring us “abundant life” – a life free from worry and free from condemnation for sin - a rich and satisfying life filled with joy and peace and the presence of the Holy Spirit. “Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have God’s Son does not have life.” (1 John 5:12) This, sadly, is the road less traveled.

The other road is taken by the one who “rejects reproof.” He/she doesn’t pay attention to God’s truth or His chastisement. This person, tragically, will not only go astray themselves, but will lead others astray. In the end, the road they chose will come to a bitter end with pain and misery. That’s why Jesus urged us all to take the road less traveled: “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way [road] is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many.  For the gate is narrow and the way [road] is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” (Matthew 7:14)

So, which road have you chosen? The “path of life”? Or, the path of going astray? Jesus counsels you to take the road less traveled: “If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Gospel, you will save it.” (Mark 8:35)

As Frost said, “I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.”

February 18 -- "Pillars in God's House"

 Today’s Reading: 1 Kings 7

"Pillars in God's House"

Two massive bronze pillars were constructed at the entrance to Solomon’s Temple. Their dimensions indicate the extent of the work involved in creating them. Including the decorative tops of the pillars, they stood approximately forty-five feet tall (about the length of the trailer on a semi-truck) and had a diameter of about five feet. 

These pillars were given names: “Jachin” and “Boaz.” Jachin (pronounced yaw-keen) and Boaz (bow·az) stood at the entrance to the temple’s foyer. Their names are significant. Jachin means “he will establish,” and Boaz signifies “in him is strength.” Taken together, the names were a reminder that God would establish the temple and the worship of His name in strength. God had king Solomon erect the two pillars and keep them at the entrance so that people understood the presence of God in the Temple. For the Jews in Solomon’s day these pillars stood as a pointed reminder each time they entered the porch of the Temple that Yahweh was their support and strength.

The pillars of Solomon’s Temple have significance for us today, as well. Jesus refers to them in Revelation 3:11-12 as He is encouraging the Church in Philadelphia. He promises them that “The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. Never shall he go out of it, and I will write on him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down from my God out of heaven, and my own new name”

With Christ as the foundation, the Church is referred to as the temple of God and the place where His presence dwells. His servants constitute the pillars by which the Church is decorated. In Galatians 2:9, Paul the Apostle refers to Peter, James, and John as “pillars” in the church. The picture, then, is one of the overcomer being established in Christ’s Church with His support and strength.

Just as the Temple pillars had names, so we too – as pillars in God’s temple – will one day bear three names: the name of our God, the name of God’s city, and Jesus Christ’s “new name.” We don’t yet know just what that name will be, but it will surely stand as a pointed reminder that He is the One who has established us (Jachin) and by whose strength (Boaz) we receive eternal life.

February 17 -- "God's Great House"

Today’s Reading: 2 Chronicles 2 & 3 

"God's Great House"

The purpose of the Temple in Jerusalem was to provide a dwelling place for the presence of Yahweh, as it is written, “They are to make a sanctuary for Me so that I may dwell among them.” (Exodus 25:8) The Temple Solomon was to build was to be the place of God’s holy presence and the center of worship and spirituality for the nation. In Israel, this Temple to Yahweh was called “Beit Hamikdash,” which translates literally as "the Holy House."

The conventional thinking of Solomon's day was, “The grander the god, the grander the temple.” Thus, a routine or trite deity would have a rather inglorious temple, while the more powerful and great “gods” would have the most elaborate and magnificent temples. The Temple to Yahweh was no exception. It was to be the greatest and most magnificent place. As Solomon said, “The house that I am to build will be great, for our God is greater than all gods.” (V5)

The reality is that a Temple great enough to house God’s presence and be a reflection of His grandness could never be built by human hands. The notion that the omnipresent Creator of Heaven and Earth could be confined in a house or a temple was laughable. As Solomon went on to say, “The heaven of heavens cannot contain Him.” (V6) We cannot localize God, nor confine Him to a structure made of stone.

Nevertheless, God’s Temple was to be built. And it was to be the grandest of temples. It was going to be the greatest undertaking ever for the Israeli people. In fact, it would take over 150 thousand workers seven years to complete. No expense would be spared.  And, when completed, it would serve as the place for God’s people to gather and come into His presence for prayer, sacrifice, and worship.

Solomon’s dedication to the magnificence of the Lord’s Temple is an example of a person who knows that everything done for God is worthwhile and it must be done with all of our might and commitment. We also have a calling from Yahweh to “build His temple.” Our undertaking is not a stone building, but a spiritual building made up of “living stones” who come to Him and become His Church (see 1 Peter 2:4-5). We, like Solomon, must recognize that everything we do to build this spiritual “Temple” is worthwhile and must be done with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength. Our Grand God deserves nothing less!

February 16 -- "Hear Ye! Hear Ye!"

Today’s Reading: Proverbs 8

"Hear Ye!  Hear Ye!"

In Proverbs 8, we see wisdom personified as a woman standing at the center of the town square and raising her voice loudly as she cries out, “Hear Ye, Hear Ye – Come and Listen!” She is calling at full volume for people to come to her so she can impart to them the qualities of her wisdom – qualities which include decency, righteousness, discretion, honor, and truth. She is not selling her goods, she wants no money in exchange for what she is offering. She invites one and all to come and take the gifts of wisdom freely and without charge. With her deafening voice, she reminds us that wisdom – true wisdom – is far better than riches, honor, or wealth.

Listen to Wisdom’s words as she exhorts you to seek her: “Listen to my instruction and be wise. Don’t ignore it. Joyful are those who listen to me, watching for me daily at my gates, waiting for me outside my home! For whoever finds me finds life and receives favor from the Lord. But those who miss me injure themselves. All who hate me love death.” (V33-36 NLT)  Take note that her wisdom is available everywhere and to anyone. You don’t need a “superior intellect” to be wise, you just need to listen – really listen.

In verse 5, she exhorts simple and foolish people to learn two things: prudence and sense. The word “simple” in this verse is not an insult or put-down. In the Hebrew it is a word which simply means naïve or inexperienced. Wisdom is inviting this naïve person to replace their ignorance with  true depth of wisdom. The word “foolish” refers to someone who finds sport in pursuing mischief and empty recreation. The great promise here is that if the naïve and foolish will but listen, they too can become wise.

The word “prudence” carries the idea of using forethought and good judgement when moving forward with life’s decisions. The person who is prudent can see the possible pitfalls that await them, and can devise a crafty course of action to avoid those pitfalls. If the simple person will but listen when wisdom cries out, he/she will become shrewd with life’s choices – able to distinguish the right path.The word “sense” means to have intelligence and have discretion. The fool who listens to and learns from the voice of wisdom will no longer be foolish, but will have the blessing of spiritual perception. This is the type of wisdom and perception that surpasses all human intelligence.

While Proverbs 8 gives us a virtual view of wisdom personified, there is One who came who gives us the literal and perfect view. His name is Jesus. "For in Him are hid all of the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" (Colossians 2:3). He is standing at the center of your “town square” and raising His voice to you – “Come unto Me and Listen! I will impart true wisdom to you.” Seek Him first, and all these things will be added to you.

(Editor's Note: Because we are journeying through the Old Testament in chronological order, Proverbs chapter 8 is presented before chapter 7. Chapter 7 will be covered in its correct order after chapter 24.)

February 15 -- "The Way Of Life"

 Today’s Reading: Proverbs 6

"The Way Of Life"

Many people (Christians included) view God’s commandments as constricting. They think that God’s rules will somehow hold them back from fun and enjoyment or somehow restrict their freedom. As humans, it is part of our nature to crave independence and autonomy. We want to be the ones calling the shots and making the rules. We really don’t like someone else telling us what we can and cannot do. And, when we don’t understand the rationale behind the rules, we are more likely to resist complying with them. We want to agree before we obey. And before agreeing, we want to embrace the rationale underlying the rules.

Here in Proverbs 6, Solomon gives us several warnings regarding God’s commandments. He addresses such things as making hasty pledges, slothfulness, dishonesty, sowing discord, pride, and adultery. Thankfully, he gives us the rationale underlying each of these commands – namely that if you fail to follow God’s ways, you are setting yourself up for unintended consequences. He urges us to “save yourself like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter.” 

The reality is that God gives us rules for living because He loves us and knows the pain we will experience if we don’t follow His ways. His commands are not intended to hold us back from fun, they are to hold us back from pain and misery. For example, hasty pledges will result in financial ruin; slothfulness results in poverty; dishonesty results in brokenness; sowing discord results in calamity; adultery results in “fire next to your chest” and “walking on hot coals.” God gives you His commandments because He loves you and wants to prevent painful consequences.

But wait, there’s more! God’s commands are not just to prevent pain. God’s commands are intended to be “the way of life.” Rather than being restrictive, or cramping our style, God’s ways bring true freedom, joy, and pleasure. 

Verse 23 tells us that God’s commandment and teaching is intended to be a lamp to show us light and to guide us to true freedom. Along with His commands, God sends us His reproofs as corrective discipline to keep us on the right path. True life exists only as we walk in fellowship with our Creator, and His reproofs are given out of His pure love for us as a means of guiding us to this place of fellowship and the way of true living. So, don’t resist God’s commands – they are meant for your good. And don’t reject His discipline - they are the way of life.