Relating To Other People

Proverbs 19:1-14

“Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.  Also, that the soul be without knowledge, it is not good; and he that hasteth with his feet sinneth.  The foolishness of man perverteth his way: and his heart fretteth against the LORD.” (Proverbs 19:1-3)

An honest poor man is worth more than anyone who is foolish or will not control his tongue, regardless how much they may have.  It is terrible that some people know nothing, and people who are in too much of a hurry to take time to learn things are sinning against themselves and those they may hurt along the way because they don’t know what they are doing.  A lack of careful thought prevents a person from accomplishing what he hoped but he tends to blame God for things not working rather than taking responsibility for the failure. 

“A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape.” (Proverbs 19:5)

A person who tells lies about other people will be punished for it, and his lies will not enable him to escape the consequences.  Many people think only serious lies are a problem but Revelation 21:8 says, “…all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.”   It is not about how big the lie is but that it is a lie that matters.

“Wealth maketh many friends; but the poor is separated from his neighbour.     Many will entreat the favour of the prince: and every man is a friend to him that giveth gifts.  All the brethren of the poor do hate him: how much more do his friends go far from him? he pursueth them with words, yet they are wanting to him.” (Proverbs 19:4, 6-7)

People will flock to people who they thing might give them something valuable, trying to ingratiate themselves.   They all want to appear as his friend.   They avoid a poor person, on the other hand because they are afraid he might need something and they are embarrassed to have more than he does.   Even when he tries to make friends they ignore him.

  

“He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul: he that keepeth understanding shall find good.” (Proverbs 19:8)

A person who learns to think things through cares about himself, and if he applies what he knows it will benefit him.

“A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall perish.” (Proverbs 19:9)

Once again we are reminded that lying will result in punishment and death, both physical and spiritual.

“Delight is not seemly for a fool; much less for a servant to have rule over princes.” (Proverbs 19:10)

A fool goes way overboard expressing his delight.  In the same way a person who isn’t qualified goes overboard showing his power when he is in charge. 

“The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.” (Proverbs 19:11)

Thought makes a man hold his temper and the willingness to overlook someone else’s mistake is a mark of wisdom and maturity.

“The king's wrath is as the roaring of a lion; but his favour is as dew upon the grass.” (Proverbs 19:12)

Knowing the government is investigating you is as unnerving as hearing a lion roar when you are out in the woods.  Having their approval is like the dew on the grass.  It is pleasant while it lasts, but it doesn’t last very long.    

“A foolish son is the calamity of his father: and the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping.   House and riches are the inheritance of fathers: and a prudent wife is from the LORD.” (Proverbs 19:13-14)

A foolish son destroys everything his father accomplished, sometimes to bail him out of trouble and other times they just make bad decisions.   The father would love to leave his children a home and a good inheritance but a foolish son may prevent it.   Arguments with one’s wife are like a dripping faucet, constantly intruding on one’s consciousness and destroying one’s peace.  A wife who is careful and doesn’t cause constant conflict is from the Lord.