What Should You Expect?

Proverbs 11:18-31

“The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward.  As righteousness tendeth to life: so he that pursueth evil pursueth it to his own death.” (Proverbs 11:18-19)

Wicked people constantly try to deceive others to attain their ends.  What they seldom realize is that they are the ones most completely deceived.  In their effort to take advantage of others, they are unknowingly committing suicide, both physically and spiritually, just as surely as the alcoholic or drug addict. 

While not all people who do right live a long time, doing right tends to result in a longer, happier life.  Even those who don’t live long are assured of eternal rewards for having done right.  Scripture is very clear every person will be judged and rewarded or punished according to what they have done in life. 

 

“They that are of a froward heart are abomination to the LORD: but such as are upright in their way are his delight.  Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered.” (Proverbs 11:20-21)

Occasionally, in raising animals, there is one who simply refuses to stay where they are supposed to be.  They deliberately tear down fences or whatever else in required to get away.  If left with the herd. Others learn from them and begin to behave the same way, so farmers or breeders hate to have them in the herd and get rid of them to save the hassle.  The forward person is a person is much like that animal who refuses to cooperate with the farmer.  God despises the attitude and actions, and will punish them for their behavior, no matter how many others join their rebellion or decide to support their actions.

Like a good farmer, god enjoys working with the people who are upright and cooperative, and makes sure they and their descendants escape the suffering the wicked experience. 

“As a jewel of gold in a swine's snout, so is a fair woman which is without discretion.” (Proverbs 11:22)

Pigs instinctively use their nose to root in the dirt.  If a gold ring is placed in their snout, they will not value it, but will use it like a shovel to help them dig, ruining the ring.  In the same way, a beautiful woman who doesn’t make good choices uses her beauty to help her dig in the filth and muck of a ruined life. 

“The desire of the righteous is only good: but the expectation of the wicked is wrath.” (Proverbs 11:23)

A righteous or good person wants good from his life and choses to do good to get it.  The person who does wicked things has no reason to expect anything but anger as a result of his behavior.

“There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty.  The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.  He that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him: but blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it.” (Proverbs 11:24-26)

There are times to save, and times to not save.  When planting, the more seed one plants and the more effort one puts out to make it grow, the larger ones reward.  Saving to much seed at planting time may result in not having enough when winter comes.   The person who is liberal with his seed and waters it well is assured of having a good crop and the person who reaches out to help others will receive help himself.  A person who is stingy and selfish will be hated of his neighbors.

“He that diligently seeketh good procureth favour: but he that seeketh mischief, it shall come unto him.” (Proverbs 11:27)

People’s attitude determines what they will get out of life.  If they go out looking for a fight or to get into trouble they will surely succeed because their attitude antagonizes other people.  People who want to get along make the effort to get along and do not antagonize people. 

“He that trusteth in his riches shall fall: but the righteous shall flourish as a branch.” (Proverbs 11:28)

Belongings are easily lost and the person who depends on them for security will lose out.  The person who does right will not be destroyed by the loss of his property, because his worth doesn’t rest in his belongings.

“He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind: and the fool shall be servant to the wise of heart.” (Proverbs 11:29)

Imagine trying to catch the wind in a box and save it for a hot day.  When you open the box, the wind won’t be there.  In the same way, a person who causes his family trouble will one day find out his family isn’t there to help him when he needs them.

 

“The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.” (Proverbs 11:30)

This verse is often used to encourage people to witness, to go “soul winning. ”  Such a use is a distortion of what the verse means.  Solomon has repeatedly stressed that doing what is right results in God’s blessings, and tends to lead to a longer, more satisfactory life.  It is wise to earn the respect and friendship of other people.

“Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: much more the wicked and the sinner.” (Proverbs 11:31)

The righteous will surely be repaid and rewarded for what they have done.  The wicked and sinners are even more sure to be repaid for their actions.