Taking Care Of Business

Proverbs 22:13-29

“The slothful man saith, There is a lion without, I shall be slain in the streets.” (Proverbs 22:13)

The lazy man constantly finds excuses why he shouldn’t do what needs done.  Even a very remote possibility, such as being attacked by a lion is made to sound like a real danger.

“The mouth of strange women is a deep pit: he that is abhorred of the LORD shall fall therein.” (Proverbs 22:14)

Animals and little children are often fascinated by a deep hole in the ground.  Those who ignore their parent’s warnings run a high risk of getting too close and falling in.  People who have rejected God’s authority and warnings run a high risk of getting emotionally or sexually involved with someone other than their mate.

“Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.” (Proverbs 22:15)

Because they lack both experience and knowledge, little children make foolish decisions.  Making sure they understand that there will be serious consequences for their actions forces them to think more carefully about what they are doing and decide whether it is worth doing that thing.  Wise parents will take the trouble.  Foolish ones don’t want to inhibit their child.

 

“He that oppresseth the poor to increase his riches, and he that giveth to the rich, shall surely come to want.” (Proverbs 22:16) 

A person who takes advantage of poor people to get rich, and a person who tries to curry favor or obtain help by giving to the rich and powerful will eventually pay for it.  He will find that the rich will throw him under the bus, and the poor hate him and turn their backs when he needs their help.

“Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge.  For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee; they shall withal be fitted in thy lips.”  That thy trust may be in the LORD, I have made known to thee this day, even to thee.  Have not I written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge, That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth; that thou mightest answer the words of truth to them that send unto thee?” (Proverbs 22:17-21)  

Take the time to listen to people who know what they are talking about and learn from them.  As you make them part of your life, you will avoid many of the problems others experience.  In the process, you will begin to understand things always follow God’s laws and learn to trust him to make things continue to follow his principles.   This will lead to confidence in what he has written and cause others to respect your intelligence and knowledge.

“Rob not the poor, because he is poor: neither oppress the afflicted in the gate: For the LORD will plead their cause, and spoil the soul of those that spoiled them.” (Proverbs 22:22-23)

Don’t take advantage of a poor person just because he is an easy target, and don’t take advantage of people who are struggling.  Doing so will cause God to turn against you. 

“Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go: Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul.” (Proverbs 22:24-25)

We tend to adopt the attitudes of those with whom we associate, and people who are angry seldom think clearly.  As a result they do stupid and dangerous things.   Avoid associating so that you don’t fall into such a pattern of behavior.

  

“Be not thou one of them that strike hands, or of them that are sureties for debts.  If thou hast nothing to pay, why should he take away thy bed from under thee?” (Proverbs 22:26-27)

Don’t put your property at risk to help someone else get a loan or keep from losing what they owe for.  No one knows what will happen in the future and there is no way of being sure you can pay it off is something happens.  Why risk losing your home or property for someone else’s bad judgment?

“Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set.” (Proverbs 22:28)  

The old land marks were set to mark the boundaries people had agreed on so they would not end up fighting over who had the right to use a piece of property.  If the landmarks are removed, people no longer have guidelines to tell them what limits are, leading to fighting. 

“Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.” (Proverbs 22:29)

Successful and powerful people want to deal with people who are take care of their business.  As a result such a person doesn’t have to deal with people who are not willing to pay a fair price or try to cheat.