Proverbs 22:6-10 English Standard Version 6 Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. 7 The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is the slave of the lender. 8 Whoever sows injustice will reap calamity, and the rod of his fury will fail. 9 Whoever has a bountiful eye will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor. 10 Drive out a scoffer, and strife will go out, and quarreling and abuse will cease. Children are a treasure from the LORD, and He cares very much how children are treated, and how their parents raise them. Children are made so that they are able to learn quickly--not just language, but also morals and values. Most of their value system is solidified from watching their parents and other caretakers when they are very young. Therefore, Solomon says that it is imperative that children are raised up in the way they should go, and when they grow old, they will not depart from it (it is very hard (though not impossible) for someone's worldview and values system to be changed once it is firmly established. The hope here is that if parents do a good job at establishing a biblical and godly worldview and values system that it will stick with the child for the rest of their lives (and they in turn may pass that worldview and values system along to their children).
Those with money have power and control over those who don't have money, especially when those without money borrow money from those who have it. This is how debt makes us a slave to the one who lends money to us. The one who is unjust in his behavior will face calamity. That is to say that God will find a way to turn your life upside down (hopefully to get your attention) if you do not behave in a way that is right and fair towards others. Don't try to cheat and steal, for whatever you "earn" by dishonest gain will be taken away. The man who does injustice also will not be successful when he tries to punish wickedness. People will see the hypocrisy and will not accept his correction. God gives us blessings of food and other resources in abundance so that we can have the privilege of sharing with those who don't have enough. This is part of God's plan for everyone to have enough--sometimes those needs are met through sharing out of the abundance that the LORD has provided. This is not to say that people shouldn't work, but try as they may, sometimes we work hard and our efforts fail or come on hard times and need extra help if we get hurt or our property is damaged by natural disaster, or we suffer hardship at the hands of the wicked and ungodly people of this world. Whatever the case may be, God gives us each other in the church to help take care of each other and we also help to take care of all the poor that we are able to (though Jesus told us that preaching the gospel was our primary duty and that we would always have the poor among us). When there is a wicked person among you who stirs up trouble and strife, drive them out when possible. You will create a more peaceful environment for yourself and everyone else. This is the best way to put an end to the quarrelling and abuse that they bring with them wherever they go. Comments are closed.
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Daniel WestfallI will mostly use this space for recording my "journal" from my daily devotions as I hope to encourage others to read the Bible along with me and to leave a legacy for others. Archives
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