Bible Study - Re-Finance (3) - Earn Money Productively - Proverbs 6:6-11 - July 31, 2016

Bible Study – Re-Finance (3) – Earn Money Productively – July 31, 2016

This is lesson three (3) in our series entitled “Re-Finance: Ancient Wisdom for Money Management.”

Our focus scripture is Proverbs 6:6-11.

Work isn’t easy but it’s necessary.

When GOD made humans, HE made them to be responsible and to work.

Let’s read Genesis 2:7-9; 15-18:

7 Then the Lord God formed the man out of the dust from the ground and breathed the breath of life into his nostrils, and the man became a living being.

8 The Lord God planted a garden in Eden, in the east, and there He placed the man He had formed.

9 The Lord God caused to grow out of the ground every tree pleasing in appearance and good for food, including the tree of life in the midst of the garden, as well as the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

15 The Lord God took the man and placed him in the Garden of Eden to work it and watch over it.

16 And the Lord God commanded the man, "You are free to eat from any tree of the garden,

17 but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for on the day you eat from it, you will certainly die."

18 Then the Lord God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is like him."

GOD formed man and placed him in the Garden of Eden to work it, care for it, to be responsible for it and to be responsible for what went on in the Garden. Thus, when Eve was tempted to eat the forbidden fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, Adam should have stopped her. But he didn’t. Adam was responsible and GOD held Adam accountable for allowing Eve to sin. Thus the consequence was they and their offspring lost eternal life. Notice what else happened as the result of sin as recorded in Genesis 3:16-19:

16 He (GOD) said to the woman: I will intensify your labor pains; you will bear children in anguish. Your desire will be for your husband, yet he will dominate you.

17 And He said to Adam, "Because you listened to your wife's voice and ate from the tree about which I commanded you, 'Do not eat from it': The ground is cursed because of you. You will eat from it by means of painful labor all the days of your life.

18 It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the field.

19 You will eat bread by the sweat of your brow until you return to the ground, since you were taken from it. For you are dust, and you will return to dust."

GOD is all knowing and because of HIS foreknowledge HE had a plan of redemption which is revealed in Genesis 3:14-15:

14 Then the Lord God said to the serpent: Because you have done this, you are cursed more than any livestock and more than any wild animal. You will move on your belly and eat dust all the days of your life.

15 I will put hostility between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed. He (JESUS) will strike your head, and you (Satan) will strike his heel.

Genesis 3:21-23 foreshadows GOD’S redemptive plan for the redemption of mankind through the shedding of blood when GOD made the clothing for Adam and Eve, as we read:

21 The Lord God made clothing out of skins for Adam and his wife, and He clothed them.

GOD had to sacrifice an animal or animals in order to make “clothing out of skins;” thus the shedding of blood.

22 The Lord God said, "Since man has become like one of Us, knowing good and evil, he must not reach out, and also take from the tree of life, and eat, and live forever."

If Adam had eaten the fruit from the tree of life mankind would have lived eternally but in a fallen state living in a place thwart with good and evil. 

23 So the Lord God sent him away from the Garden of Eden to work the ground from which he was taken.

GOD redeemed mankind from this original sin by sending HIS only Son JESUS to give HIS perfect, sinless life by the shedding of HIS blood for all who will place their faith in HIM to be redeemed from the original sin. When we place our faith in JESUS as our Savior, we are reborn/born-again into the family of GOD as HIS Sons or Daughters. GOD’S Spirit, as the divine sperm, unites with our spirit and the miracle of Spiritual rebirth takes place, thus the terms born-again or rebirth. Spiritual rebirth is vital and necessary to be restored to GOD’S original intent for mankind to live eternally with HIM as HIS child and in HIS presence for eternity. Christians are children of GOD with all the rights and privileges that come with that relationship. HIS desire is for us to get to know HIM by building the right relationship with HIM. The Apostle Paul wrote in Philippians 3:20:

20 but our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.

It is an awesome journey! 

I like to think of earth as our second opportunity to get it right. That is get back into right relationship with GOD through faith in JESUS. Our life as a human is GOD’S gift to the human race to be born into the world our original parents chose for their off-spring when they both ate the fruit from the forbidden tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Life upon earth, filled with both good and evil, surely gives all humans a taste of living in such a world. Yet, GOD in HIS love for all humans did not leave us abandoned in this world of good and evil without hope. John 3:16-18 expresses GOD’S love for all in this world. JESUS was talking to Nicodemus a Jewish teacher and a member of the Jewish Sanhedrin, who became a follower of JESUS:

16 "For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.

17 For God did not send His Son into the world that He might condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.

18 Anyone who believes in Him is not condemned, but anyone who does not believe is already condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the One and Only Son of God.

GOD is wisdom and Proverbs 8 focuses on wisdom and the fact that wisdom was present before GOD created the world and was present at its creation. The reason for this scripture is to reveal that GOD has included wisdom in all creation from the micro to the macro, from the nearest and to the most distant. GOD reveals Himself in all creation. Study creation and be amazed with HIS handiwork. Let’s read verses 22-36:

22 The Lord made me (Wisdom is speaking. Wisdom in Hebrew is a feminine noun, thus referred to as “she” in some verses.) at the beginning of His creation, before His works of long ago.

23 I (Wisdom) was formed before ancient times, from the beginning, before the earth began.

GOD created the world such that all-of-the world reflects HIM. All of nature reveals the handiwork of GOD. Science likes to say we and all we see just evolved. Evolved from what? Can’t you see that GOD was and is the Master designer of the universe, world and all that is in it and what happens in it? Consider the order of the universe and the world; the seasons and the many things that exist both in the cosmos and upon earth for us to exist as humans upon earth. Was it by random chance or master design? You decide. GOD reveals Himself in the universe and all of nature.

That is one reason the Apostle Paul wrote in Romans 1:20:

20 From the creation of the world His invisible attributes, that is, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what He has made. As a result, people are without excuse.

GOD is in all things revealing Him. HE reveals Himself through the simple things in life that all people can observe, such as the Proverb we will study today. Let’s explore!

Study GOD’S Word, the Bible, and let HIM reveal Himself to you as you go through life. In Psalm 14:1:

1 The fool says in his heart, "God does not exist." They are corrupt; their actions are revolting. There is no one who does good.

GOD reveals Himself in nature and in many other ways. Our focus scripture, Proverbs 6:6-11, is a short wisdom poem. It is a poem intended for people to memorize and quote as they go through the day. It is a reminder that when things get tough the tough keep going to accomplish what needs to be done.

The poem has two stanzas. The first stanza is verses 6-8 and the second is verses 9-11. The purpose of the poem is an effort to get a person moving and to stop procrastinating. Most of us enjoy staying in a nice warm, comfortable bed but doing so does not get accomplished what needs to be accomplished in life. In fact, when we succumb to putting off, it only exacerbates the frustration of not getting done what needs to be accomplished. Proverbs gives us an example of getting accomplished what needs to be accomplished by referring to the ant. 

Let’s read Proverbs 6:6-8:

Laziness

6 Go to the ant, you slacker! Observe its ways and become wise.

7 Without leader, administrator, or ruler,

8 it prepares its provisions in summer; it gathers its food during harvest.

GOD reveals Himself through nature. Wisdom tells us to consider the simple things GOD has created and observe them. We read in Proverbs 8 that GOD created wisdom to work along HIS side when HE created the world and because HE did, wisdom is revealed in HIS creation. Consider the simple ant to observe GOD’S handiwork in this tiny creature.

A slacker is one who is “slow.” It describes a person who is slow-moving when it comes to work.

I recall a short story years ago. A certain man in his city was looking for the laziest person in that city. He came upon a man laying on his back in the park in tattered clothes and he told the reclining man that he was trying to find the laziest person in that city and that the winner would receive a cash reward. The man lying on the grass, said, “If I win come back here and roll me over and put the money in my back pocket.”

Proverbs records, in a number of places, the humor in the excuses slackers use not to work or get something done.

Proverbs 19:24 – 24 The slacker buries his hand in the bowl; he doesn't even bring it back to his mouth.

Proverbs 22:13 – 13 The slacker says, "There's a lion outside! I'll be killed in the streets!"

Proverbs 26:14 - 14 A door turns on its hinge, and a slacker, on his bed.

The first stanza of Proverbs 6:6-8 instructs the slacker to observe the ant. Consider its ways and become wise. The ant does what needs to be accomplished without a leader, administrator, or ruler. The ant is self-motivated. Innate in its DNA is the need to survive and, in turn, the need to prepare for the coming winter months. Thus, the ant is diligent during the summer and the times of harvest to store its food for winter.

When one observes the ant, he or she, can see that the ant has extraordinary strength compared to its size to carry the things it has foraged. One can observe team work among the ant colony. All is accomplished without a boss. Such a work ethic is inherent in the ant.

We can observe the bees and witness the same self-motivation and industrious nature as ants. They both have a job to do and they get it done and aren’t we glad. I love honey. We are to observe the simple and become wise because many things reflect the awesomeness of GOD and HIS master design. GOD made these self-motivated living things to point to the minute detail of HIS creation. All things work in harmony for us to observe and know that GOD is the creator of all things both large and small.

Let’s consider the second stanza based upon the message in the first stanza. The ant is self-motivated and is not a slacker; therefore, the message to the slacker is ---- as we read.

Let’s read Proverbs 6: 9-11:

9 How long will you stay in bed, you slacker? When will you get up from your sleep?

10 A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the arms to rest,

11 and your poverty will come like a robber, your need, like a bandit.

The second stanza admonishes the slacker to get out of the doldrums and get to work. Sleep represents all forms of laziness or lack of motivation to do what one needs to do. The more we procrastinate the more we avoid doing what needs to be done. Then, when the mountain of neglect gets so large we are discouraged from even attempting to do what needs to be done. Slackness breeds putting off, which often leads to poverty. Poverty leads to low self-esteem and a feeling of failure. Poverty robs you.

Welfare has its place in society but welfare can breed laziness and slackness. It robs those on welfare the satisfaction of accomplishing and providing for their needs and the needs of their family. It robs them of skills they could develop if they were gainfully employed. Why work when what one needs is handed to him or her.

We must keep in mind that every social program, be it government or private, needs customers and this need for customers often leads to keeping their customers on their programs. In some circles, it can lead to growing these programs by getting more people to be dependent on them. Our society needs to consider giving a hand-up and not a hand-out. Some people do need long term assistance but others need to be weaned from these programs. Some people on assistance programs think that society owes them and they teach others to milk these programs. It breeds poverty. Poverty means to be destitute and in want and is often self-imposed but not always.

Observe the ant and work to provide what you need and teach others the value of work. GOD made us to work and tend the Garden of life. For those who cannot, we need to help them by giving them a hand-up and for some a hand-out. Our society is becoming more and more dependent on a hand-out and assistance programs which aid and abet those prone to laziness. Society becomes the thief that robs them of the satisfaction of being what GOD intended for the human race. Such a societal attitude makes some a slave to the system and robs them of being productive members of society.

The wealthy Jewish land owners directed those who harvested their crops to leave a portion around the edges of the fields for those in need but they had to harvest for themselves. The principle was that those in need had to take the initiative to harvest. Boaz in the Old Testament left grain to be harvested by Ruth but Ruth had to harvest the grain. (The Book of Ruth)

Be wise America! Vote wisely! Our and our children’s futures depend upon it. Blessings!!!

Bible Study - Re-Finance (2) - Make Arrangements Caustiously - Proverbs 6:1-5; 22:7 - July 24, 2016

Bible Study – Re-Finance (2) – Make Arrangements Cautiously – July 24, 2016

This is lesson two (2) in our series entitled “Re-Finance: Ancient Wisdom for Money Management.”

Our focus scripture is Proverbs 6:1-5; 22:7

Avoid financial obligations that could sink you.

These are wise words. Often, we may have friends or acquaintances who ask us to cosign a note/loan at the bank or some financial institution with them. We trust the person to pay off the note/loan but if they do not, guess who the financial institution will come to for payment? The person cosigning the note/loan is responsible for paying the loan if the person borrowing the money does not. Those who would be cosigners need to ask themselves, if cosigning a loan with a person who cannot get a loan help them or hurt them. Young folks starting out in life may need help in getting started and need to build their credit. Getting money is one thing but paying it back is quite another.

We will study two sides of debt; the person borrowing and the lender or cosigner.

Let’s explore!

Let’s read Proverbs 22:7:

7 The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is a slave to the lender.

Those who have means/wealth have the upper hand when it comes to having access to the things they need or want. If someone in need comes to the wealthy to help them, the wealthy can dictate the terms to those needing to borrow money. The terms will often reflect the heart of the wealthy combined with the ability of the borrower’s ability to repay the loan. Some unscrupulous lenders may set the terms of repayment such that they know the borrower will default setting up the opportunity for the lender to take the borrower’s collateral or getting him or her as a slave or obtaining one or more of his or her children.

Ancient and today’s wisdom are the same. Do not let yourself get into a situation where you become the borrower. A borrower will become the slave of the rich.

Those of us who have borrowed to own a house focus on getting our house paid off. Until the house loan is marked “paid in full,” we fret until it is paid. So many home owners, in the last few years, have experienced what we know as “under the water loans.” That is their home is worth less than the money they owe on their home. This situation has caused many to go through awful times in their lives including losing their homes and resulting in bad credit. Lenders made it easy for many to purchase homes during the good, boom times but when difficult times came along, they were not as diligent to work with them to keep their homes. The children of these parents witnessed these times and it made a lasting impression on many of them, much like the depression made on many of us who had parents who lived during the Hoover days.

I understand that many millennials do not have credit cards. They use debit cards. It could be that their parents taught them a very important life lesson not to get into debt. Many children saw their parents lose their homes and struggle to pay off debt and often both parents having to work. This is a very important lesson for all of us to keep in mind.

I thought the following, in brackets, copied from page 105 written by Dr. Garrett, professor of Old Testament at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary as published in Advanced Bible Study, summer, 2016, published by LifeWay, One LifeWay Plaza, Nashville, TN 37234-0175 was very interesting regarding the Israelite's.

[As mentioned, a large number of slaves in Israel were debt slaves. Most of these would not have been foreigners but fellow Israelites. The Bible does not regard slavery as a desirable condition. Normally, the people of Israel called themselves “Israelites” (traditionally, “the children of Israel”). But an Israelite who was a slave was called a “Hebrew,” not an “Israelite.” (Exodus 21:2; Deuteronomy 15:12). The term “Hebrew” was fairly derogative, and it hearkens back to the time when the Israelites were slaves in Egypt (Exodus 2:6-7; 2:11-13; 5:3; 7:16). The idea was that an Israelite who became a slave had gone back to his or her prior condition in Egypt, as if the exodus had never happened. The term was not meant to demean Israelites who fell into slavery but to press upon them the fact that they should do everything possible to avoid slavery.]

A number of years ago, the young people in Germany would save at least 50% of the cost of a house before they would purchase it. In the USA, we make it easy for people to purchase a home with very little down. Purchasing a house is likely the largest expense young people will make in their lifetime, although new automobiles and pickup trucks run a close second.

My wife and I have longtime friends who managed their finances in a much disciplined manner. To my knowledge they only borrowed money to purchase a house. They knew that in time there would be home repair, appliance replacement, auto replacement, etc. They planned for these known occurrences. They set aside each payday a portion of their income to cover these known events. They knew that appliances were designed to last about 7 years. To my knowledge they never purchased a new car. They would purchase a 2-4 year old car and trade it every 2-3 years. That takes discipline and commitment but also puts them in control of their finances.

Ancient wisdom applies today; be careful and thoughtful before borrowing to obtain things that will likely cost you to maintain them once you become the owner e.g. upkeep, taxes, insurance, etc. Plan wisely before you assume debt.

Let’s read Proverbs 6:1-2:

Financial Entanglements

1 My son, if you have put up security for your neighbor or entered into an agreement with a stranger,

2 you have been trapped by the words of your lips- ensnared by the words of your mouth.

The bracketed section is copied from page 107 of the Advanced Bible Study, summer, 2016.

[Proverbs 6:1-5 is a conditional statement in the form of “if X is true, then Y.” The text is in two parts. The first, verses 1-2, is a “protasis.” This is simply the “if” part of the statement. The second, verses 3-5, is an apodosis. This is the “then” part of the statement. In this case, the apodosis is a series of commands. Thus, the whole passage has the structure, “If this is the situation you are in, then you must do the following things.”]

This deals with such financial matters as co-signing loans or using your collateral to secure another person’s loan or purchase. That is you have “put up security” should the person you are cosigning with defaults on the loan. In ancient times, banks as we know them today did not exist but money lenders did exist. It was common that the first person a person in need would contact would be a family/relative member. It seems that Jewish tradition was to take care of family and those living in the same general area e.g. neighbor.  

The reference, my son, did not necessarily refer to blood relations but more likely a term used in teaching a young person. It was a term of endearment and used to connote the importance of what was about to be stated.  It also carries the idea of teaching fellow Jews or those who have placed their faith in the One True GOD, Yahweh regarding the consequence of entering into financial agreements that could come back to haunt you, therefore, be wise. Your neighbor, in this context, is anyone who is your fellow countryman e.g. Jew, relative, friend, neighbor basically a fellow Jew. The stranger often referred to a non-Jew.

Let’s read Proverbs 6:3-5:

3 Do this, then, my son, and free yourself, for you have put yourself in your neighbor's power: Go, humble yourself, and plead with your neighbor.

4 Don't give sleep to your eyes or slumber to your eyelids.

5 Escape like a gazelle from a hunter, like a bird from a fowler's trap.

Verses 3-5 are the apodosis or the “then” which communicates to us what we should do.

Ancient wisdom dictates which is true today; when you realize that you have made a bad deal, and then do not hesitate to get out of it immediately. Many think, “Oh it will work out.” Don’t count on it. We are often coerced in helping another person out but when we have time to think about it and we realize that we have entered into a bad deal, we must move in haste to get out of it. In South Carolina we have a cooling off period of 3 days but I learned that is not true when you purchase a used vehicle.

The key is, once you realize that you have made a bad deal move with great haste to get out of it. That is, go to the person for whom you have either put up your security or cosigned a loan with him or her and ask him or her to let you out of the deal. Then both of you go to the lender and terminate the agreement. Always have a witness or something to show that the deal has been terminated. Document and document!

Recently, we purchased a 60-day money back guaranteed deal. When we received the product it was not what we expected. The tendency is not to take care of it quickly. The good news for us is that we did not hesitate and received our money back. But many businesses promote money back guarantees knowing that most will procrastinate.  

Wisdom comes from GOD. Seek HIS guidance in all matters. HE may allow us to go through a tense time to teach us a lesson. Life is to teach us to seek GOD and to get to know HIM through our relationship with JESUS The CHRIST. Live wisely by seeking the right relationship with JESUS and applying GOD’S wisdom, as led by the Holy Spirits! Blessings!!!

Bible Study - Re-Finance (1) - View Money Properly - Proverbs 23:4-5; 30:5-9 - July 17, 2016

Bible Study – Re-Finance (1) – View Money Properly – July 17, 2016

This is lesson one (1) in our series entitled “Re-Finance: Ancient Wisdom for Money Management.”

Our focus scripture is Proverbs 23:4-5; 30:5-9.

Contentment and security rest in GOD, not money.

We begin a new six (6) week series of study. The scripture for five lessons will come from Proverbs and one lesson from Ecclesiastes.

I know many reading this are likely to say, “Here we go again, always talking about money.” How we use our money is a reflection of our heart.  Finances and how we handle them is a vital subject for every person and especially for couples planning marriage. Credit cards can be maxed out in a heartbeat but paying them off is often very painstaking. In America, we can accumulate a mountain of debt in a heartbeat. Commerce makes it easy to obtain possessions but when you obtain more than you can afford, the bill collectors will come after you with great gusto.

The key is to be wise. Let’s explore GOD’S Word over the next six-weeks to discover HIS wisdom. King Solomon wrote most of Proverbs, with Agur and Lemuel contributing some of the later sections.

The following, within the brackets, was taken straight from the Advanced Bible Study, summer, 2016 Commentary written by Dr. Garrett, professor of the Old Testament at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, published by LifeWay, One LifeWay Plaza, Nashville, TN 37234-0175.

[Proverbs 22:17-24:22 is a collection of teachings commonly called the “Thirty Sayings (22:20). It is made up of a set of introductory remarks in 22:17-21 followed by 30 distinctive teachings (22:22-24:22). In the introduction, 22:20 says, “Haven’t I written for you thirty sayings about counsel and knowledge?” This follows a model set by an Egyptian text called “The Sayings of Amenemope,” which is also divided into thirty distinct teachings. Some of the sayings in Proverbs 22:17-24:22 are quite similar to what we see in Amenemope, testifying to the fact that the desire for wisdom was common in the ancient world. Our text, 23:4-5, is the seventh saying.

Proverbs 30:5-9 comes from the “words of Agur son of Jakeh,” a collection that takes up all Proverbs 30. Agur is only mentioned here, and we do not know anything about him. His little set of teachings is perhaps the most colorful and enigmatic chapter of Proverbs. Although edifying, Agur’s sayings are somewhat mysterious. At least one saying 30:18-19, could be called a riddle. This passage gives a list of four items, and the reader has to struggle to determine what they have in common and what their main lesson is. We often have to pause and ask what Agur means. The sayings about animals illustrate this. What, precisely, is the point to the observation, “A lizard can be caught in your hands, yet it lives in king’s palaces. (30:28)? Even the teachings of our fairly straightforward text, 30:5-9, contains puzzles.]

Wisdom comes from GOD. As Christians, we have direct access to GOD 24/7 but do we seek HIS advice and guidance? Often, we only go to HIM when we get into difficulty. HIS desire is for HIS children to seek HIM first. Let’s explore!

Let’s read Proverbs 23:4-5:

4 Don't wear yourself out to get rich; stop giving your attention to it.

5 As soon as your eyes fly to it, it disappears, for it makes wings for itself and flies like an eagle to the sky.

Many of us pursue wealth only to find that when we achieve it, it is not what we thought it would be like. The pursuit is the challenge and occupies our time and often is an obstacle to us in building the right relationship with GOD. 

Making money is one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Most of us desire that gift but for selfish reasons. Our egos are the drivers and blinds us to the real intent of our hearts e.g. LORD, we could do so much for YOU if we were wealthy, when our desire is to use it for ourselves or to inflate our ego. We often attempt to deceive GOD but HE knows our hearts and our intents.

It is written in 1 Timothy 6:10:

10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and by craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pains.

GOD often allows us to pursue wealth just to prove the point that when we arrive, it is not all that great and it has many problems associated with it. Often the greatest tragedy in having or obtaining wealth is one of the things we desire most, which is a unified, loving family that loves the LORD and obediently serves HIM. I quickly add that there are many wealthy families that have achieved this by keeping their eyes fixed upon the LORD as they use their wealth to obediently serve HIM. Their first desire is to know GOD through faith in JESUS CHRIST.

Pursuing wealth often robs us of spending time getting to know GOD through our relationship with JESUS. It is easy to know about GOD but it takes being in right relationship with JESUS to get to really know GOD, the Father of every Christian.

In our last lesson series JESUS stated in Matthew 6:33:

33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.

How much time do you spend reading GOD’S Word, talking to HIM, listening to HIM and putting into practice the things that HE reveals to you?

In our previous lessons, we know that, as Christians, we are building upon the solid foundation that GOD has laid. That foundation is placing our faith in JESUS The CHRIST as our Savior. We are building upon that foundation of faith with Gold, Silver, Precious Stones, Wood, Hay or Straw. One day, our building will be tested by fire. As Christians, when we obediently serve our LORD, we are building with the materials that will survive the test by fire. When we, as Christians, are in right relationship with GOD through faith in JESUS, we are building with materials that will survive the test by fire. As a Christian, allow the Holy Spirit to lead and guide you as you walk with JESUS to obediently serve GOD according to HIS plan and purpose for your life.

It is vital that every Christian get to know GOD and not just know about GOD. When you get to know GOD you learn to trust HIM as we read in our next scripture.

Let’s read Proverbs 30:5-6: (As stated in the opening of our study, these words were written by Agur.)

5 Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.

When we really know GOD, we know that HE is truth and HIS Word is pure. 

That is a process. Salvation is just step one in a lifelong journey of revelation through sanctification. As we get to know GOD and learn to trust HIM, we learn that HE is our shield and that we can take refuge in HIM, even when we make mistakes and follow the desires of our hearts. The Apostle Paul learned this as he walked with GOD as he wrote in Romans 8:28-30:

28 We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose.

Things do not guide our lives but GOD is in all things bringing about HIS will and purpose even when we take a wrong turn because HE has a plan for every Christian. Our part is to confess our wrong doing and stop doing it. GOD forgives, restores our relationship with HIM and we are to continue our walk with HIM as led by the Holy Spirit.

29 For those He foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers.

GOD’S goal for every Christian is to be made unto the image of JESUS.

30 And those He predestined, He also called; and those He called, He also justified; and those He justified, He also glorified.

Predestined does not mean that our choice has been taken from us because every Christian still makes choices. GOD has a vision for every Christian. 

When we walk with HIM, as led by the Holy Spirit and are in right relationship with HIM, we are in HIS will. It is all about getting to know GOD through the study of HIS Word, talking to HIM and obediently serving HIM by putting what HE reveals to us into action.

6 Don't add to His words, or He will rebuke you, and you will be proved a liar.

This is an important verse. Often, we try to make more out of GOD’S Word than HE intends. This scripture warns us not to do that. Let the Holy Spirit reveal the truth of GOD’S Word to you and do not try to make HIS Word say what HE did not intend for it to say regarding you.

I heard a story many years ago regarding GOD’S Word. It went something like this. A man decided that he would do whatever GOD’S Word, the Bible revealed to him. He would randomly open GOD’S Word and blindly point to a verse and do what the verse stated. He did this and the verse was “and he went and hanged himself.” The man did not like that so he made another attempt and his finger landed on a verse that stated “what thou must do, do quickly.”

We laugh at such random ways we attempt to get direction from GOD. Build the right relationship with HIM by getting to know HIM through faith in JESUS. JESUS came to show us how to have the right relationship with GOD. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you build the right relationship with GOD through faith in CHRIST.

What does this have to do with the wise use of our resources? Seek first the kingdom of GOD. Being in right relationship with GOD means that all that we have falls under HIS authority and since wisdom comes from GOD, GOD’S wisdom flows through us as we walk with HIM.

Let’s read Proverbs 30:7-9: (These words were written by Agur. What was he saying and how does it apply to us today? We need to keep in mind that Agur was talking to GOD.)

7 Two things I ask of You (GOD); don't deny them to me before I die:

Agur was making his request known to GOD. This is what we all need to do. Verbalize our request. The only timetable he put on his request was that GOD respond before he died. Such a request can come from a heart that realizes that often we have to grow Spiritually before we can understand or comprehend some Spiritual things.

So what were the two things he asked of GOD?

8 Keep falsehood and deceitful words far from me. (1) Give me neither poverty nor (2) wealth; feed me with the food I need.

We all live in this world and in doing so we all have both Spiritual and physical needs. GOD provides for those needs but the world can deceive us into believing that our plight in life reveals our relationship to GOD. This deceit can result in us concluding that GOD has punished us when we are in poverty or rewarded us when we prosper. Agur knew that these conclusions were deceitful and would lead us to the wrong conclusion regarding GOD in our lives.

Therefore, he asked GOD to not allow such thinking to mislead him. As a result, he asked GOD not to give him poverty or wealth because he did not want to run the chance of falling into the trap of associating GOD with either condition. Poverty and wealth are deceitful. If he was not poor or wealthy he was free to discover the truth regarding GOD and HIS role in his life as they walked together. His desire was to walk with GOD and to trust HIM to provide him the things that GOD wanted him to have to meet all of his needs both physical and Spiritual.

This is, in essence, what JESUS stated in the model prayer we studied a few weeks ago as recorded in Matthew 6:11:

11 Give us today our daily bread.

This is both physical and Spiritual food. GOD knows that we have to have physical food to sustain us as humans. JESUS got hungry as recorded in Matthew 21:18:

18 Early in the morning, as He was returning to the city, He was hungry.

But we need Spiritual food as well as JESUS stated in Matthew 5:6:

6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, because they will be filled.

Wealth is a lie because it implies that we don’t need GOD and Poverty is a lie because it implies that GOD does not care.

Let’s read our next verse - Proverbs 30:9:

9 Otherwise, I might have too much and deny You, saying, "Who is the Lord?" or I might have nothing and steal, profaning the name of my God.

Agur gives his reasons why he did not want wealth or poverty. If he had plenty he might become self-sufficient and not seek GOD in his life and realize his dependence upon HIM. By the same rational, if he was poor, he might steal to meet his needs and in doing so it would dishonor GOD.

This statement focuses upon the desire of Agur’s heart to know GOD and to be a positive witness for HIM to others. Agur wanted balance in his life by not having too little or too much but to depend upon GOD and to seek HIM in his life not encumbered by poverty or plenty.

What is the desire of our hearts? Do we blame GOD because we do not have riches? Do we not acknowledge GOD in our lives because we are self-sufficient? Or do we go through the motions of worshipping GOD because we are afraid that GOD will take away our wealth or health? Keep in mind that GOD knows our hearts and our intents.

Seek first the Kingdom of GOD and HIS righteousness. HIS righteousness is imputed to those the instant they place their faith in JESUS THE CHRIST. Righteousness is a gift from GOD as the Apostle Paul recorded in Second Corinthians 5:21:

21 He (GOD) made the One (JESUS) who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that we (All who place their faith in JESUS) might become the righteousness of God in Him.

So what does this have to do with having the proper perspective regarding our money? JESUS stated it best in Matthew 6:21:

21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Matthew 6:33:

33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.

Ground zero is our relationship with GOD. Is it personal and real or obscure and unsure? If your relationship with GOD is obscure and unsure, I urge you to tell HIM and ask HIM to reveal truth to you. But you need to read HIS Word and be alert to the truth as HE reveals it. Don’t ask and then park your brain but be vigilant to seek what HE reveals. It is an awesome journey. Blessings!!!