What Are You Learning?

Proverbs 15:16-33

“Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith.   Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.” (Proverbs 15:16-17)

It is better to have respect for god and a clear conscience than to be a multi-millionaire and live with the problems resulting from a guilty conscience or God’s judgment.  It is better to have nothing but some roadside plants to eat than to have a whole beef in the stall ready to butcher and live in an atmosphere of hate and animosity.  

“A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.” (Proverbs 15:18)

An angry attitude leads to actions and words that antagonize other people.  A person who doesn’t allow his anger to flare out of control does and says things that mollify other people instead of stirring them up.

“The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain.” (Proverbs 15:19)

A lazy persons sees nothing but problems that will prevent his success.  The man who is focused on what is right and good sees ways around the problems and believes he can succeed.

“A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother.” (Proverbs 15:20)

A wise thoughtful child makes his parents proud.  A foolish or wicked child rejects what his parents try toteach him because of a lack of respect, then embarrasses them by his foolish and evil behavior, implying they were lousy parents.

“Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly.” (Proverbs 15:21)

A person who is too dumb to think about the consequences thinks acting stupid and doing dangerous things is funny.  A person who thinks things through can walk confidently, without fear of something bad happening.

“Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.” (Proverbs 15:22)

Without consideration of what is required, plans are likely to fail.  By getting plenty of information, success can be insured.

“A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!” (Proverbs 15:23)

The words a person uses affect his attitude and that of the people around him.  The right words at the right time can have a tremendous impact for good.

“The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath.” (Proverbs 15:24)

The wise person lives trying to do better, so that he doesn’t face judgment in hell.

“The LORD will destroy the house of the proud: but he will establish the border of the widow.” (Proverbs 15:25)

Pride is one of the things God hates.  He will destroy the things a person is proud of.  He will provide for and help people who have nothing to be proud about.

“The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD: but the words of the pure are pleasant words.” (Proverbs 15:26)

God hates the thoughts of a wicked person because thy govern his actions,  Proverbs 23:7 says, “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he...”   A pure heart produces good pleasant words.  In Luke 6:45, Jesus said, “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.”  His words demonstrate what a person really is.

“He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live.” (Proverbs 15:27)

Paul told Timothy, “For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows,” in I Timothy 6:10.   A covetous, materialistic attitude leads to problems for the family.  A person who will not accept bribes or favors escapes judgment.

“The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.” (Proverbs 15:28)

A righteous person thinks about what they say to avoid causing hurt feelings and misunderstandings.  The wicked don’t care whether what they say is right and say all kinds of wicked things.

“The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.” (Proverbs 15:29)

In Psalm 66:18-9, David said, ”If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me: But verily God hath heard me; he hath attended to the voice of my prayer.”  The wicked person is focused on evil things, and that focus breaks any connection with God.   His sin is blocking his signal.  The righteous, on the other hand has a clear signal.

“The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: and a good report maketh the bones fat.” (Proverbs 15:30)

The look of pleasure in the eyes of little child when he receives a special gift gives the giver great satisfaction, and a compliment can make a person feel like a million dollars.

“The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise.  He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding.  The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.” (Proverbs 15:31-33)

A person who listens to advice and correction is a person will live with wise people.  a person who will not listen to others doesn’t value his own life very much, but people who will take the advice learn how to have a better life.  Respect for God is the basis for learning and wisdom.   Before one can earn great honor, he be humble enough to learn what is required to get it.