The Benefits Of A Proper Lifestyle

Proverbs 3:1-12

“My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments: For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.  Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart: So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.” (Proverbs 3:1-4)

Solomon had researched many subjects in life, including the results of different lifestyles.  He discovered that certain behaviors consistently produced long, healthy and happy lives and he is going to share them with his son.  If his son or other readers will follow his advice, making it an integral part of their life and attitude, they will not only have long healthy lives, they will have a good relationship with those around them and with God. 

Over the years, I have been amazed at the number of people who have taken advantage of others but are upset that those others want nothing to do with them.  In Proverbs 16:7, Solomon said, “When a man's ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.”  When we are doing what is right, even those who hate us have no reason to attack.

“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.  Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.  It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.” (Proverbs 3:5-8)

There is a common attitude that we are smarter and more sophisticated today and the old fashioned standards and ideas no longer apply.  Solomon warns not to develop that attitude.  If instead we learn to obey what God tells us, we will avoid most of the problems others experience, literally being both healthier and happier than others. 

“Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.” (Proverbs 3:9-10)

Many people think that they have earned everything the have and owe God nothing, never stopping to think that God made them able to get it, providing the necessary intelligence and physical abilities, as well as making it available.   I Corinthians 4:7 asks, “For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?”  If God didn’t provide the raw materials and establish the scientific principles that govern how things work, we would be unable to do anything.  Solomon says the way we use what he has given us ought to show respect for his provision.

One way of doing that is found in Malachi 3:10-11.  “Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.  And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts.”  People who appreciate his gifts will be blessed with more.

“My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction: For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.” (Proverbs 3:11-12)

When we run into trouble as a result of actions we have taken, it is easy to blame God.  Hebrews 12:7 says that it is proof of God’s love, “If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?  But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.”   Parents who care about their children correct them when they do wrong, using appropriate punishment to drive home the point that certain behavior will not be tolerated.  Parents who do not correct their children imply they don’t claim them as their own. 

People don’t like being corrected, but it serves an important purpose according to Hebrews 12:11.  “Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.”  Unpleasant as the correction may seem at the time, ultimately the corrected behavior will result in peace in our lives.

Human parents sometimes punish their children to satisfy their own convenience or desires or to vent their frustration, rather than for the child’s good.  God is always focused on what is good for the people who are being chastened, according to Hebrews 12:10.  “For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.”  We ought not to get upset when he prevents us from getting our way, knowing it is for our benefit.