Proverbs 11: 28 Trust

Today’s verse speaks of trust. Some people trust in their own abilities to accrue riches, while others trust in God and His blessings because they are living a righteous life following His ways.

Proverbs 11: 28 (NKJV)
28 He who trusts in his riches will fall, But the righteous will flourish like foliage.

Here are the definitions, from the Online Dictionary, of our principle words:

trust: 1. To have or place confidence in; depend on. 2. To expect with assurance; assume

riches: wealth; an abundance of money, valuable possessions, or property

fall: 1. A reduction in value, amount, or degree. 2. A marked, often sudden, decline in status, rank, or importance:

flourish: 1. To grow well or luxuriantly; thrive: 2. To do or fare well; prosper: 3. To be in a period of highest productivity, excellence, or influence

foliage: 1. Plant leaves, especially tree leaves, considered as a group.

Using these definitions we see that a person who places their confidence in, or depends upon, his wealth, money, or material possessions will end up with a reduction in the value of his worth, and be marked with a decline in status, rank, or importance…

In contrast, those that follow God and His Messiah will grow well. They will thrive because of His blessings. In 1 Kings 2:3 it says: “And keep the charge of the LORD your God: to walk in His ways, to keep His statutes, His commandments, His judgments, and His testimonies, as it is written in the Law of Moses, that you may prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn…” This verse compares these blessings as flourishing the way a vine does when it is getting plenty of sun, rain and nutrients and grows luxuriant leaves.

Proverbs 11:1 Don’t Cheat Others!

Hi, fellow Wisdom Seekers! Today we will be starting a new chapter. Let’s see what the Lord has to teach us for today!

Proverbs 11:1 (NKJV)
1 Dishonest scales are an abomination to the LORD,

But a just weight is His delight.

The note in my NIV Bible says that, “In a culture with no bureau of weights and measures, cheating in business by falsification of standards was common…” God calls those that follow HIM to be very careful NOT to cheat others in any way! He says that cheating is an “abomination” to Him. The word, “abomination,” as defined in the Online Dictionary, means, 1. Abhorrence; disgust. 2. A cause of abhorrence or disgust. 3. an action that is vicious or vile; an action that arouses disgust or abhorrence.

This would be another form of lying, and John 8:44 (NKJV) says, that if you lie, 44 You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it. Proverbs 6: 17 lists lying as one of the “Seven Deadly Sins” that God hates!

As we can see, God feels quite STRONGLY about cheating and lying, which go hand in hand. Revelation 22:14-15 (NKJV) makes this VERY clear! It says, 14 Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city [speaking of heaven]. 15 But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie.

Lying and cheating are the exact opposites of everything the Lord wants of His people. This verse concludes with “a just weight is His delight” because God’s ways are ways of love, caring, help, and truth toward our “neighbors.” These things build up trust and confidence between His children (those that choose to follow Him), and eventually, we will all be living together in His kingdom, so we need to start building the type of relationships here that we will live with, forever, there!

Proverbs 10:24 & 25 The Wicked vs The Righteous

These two verses speak of the contrasts between the “wicked” and the “righteous” again. God repeats this thread throughout the book of Proverbs in many different ways to plant it deep into the hearts of those who would search for wisdom… and isn’t that the whole reason for this study?



Proverbs 10: 24 & 25 (NKJV)

24 The fear of the wicked will come upon him, And the desire of the righteous will be granted. 25 When the whirlwind passes by, the wicked is no more, But the righteous has an everlasting foundation.


Both of these verses start with the “wicked.” In verse 24, we are told that those that are “wicked” will have their “fears” come upon them. All of us have some kind of “fear” in our hearts. I think that the more “wicked” (not following God’s ways or paths) a person is, the more fear they have deep down in their souls whether or not they choose to see that.



Often, it is those “fears” that drive their thoughts. It is said, by many psychologists, that those that “fear” or that have deep inner hurts (which would engender fear that often leads to anger) are the ones that strike out at others.


The second verse also starts with words about the “wicked.” There are many parts of life that are like a “whirlwind.” Trials and tribulations swirl around our lives on this earth all the time like whirlwinds. All of us have gone through these storms… why is it that some end up committing suicide or murder, while others just seem to get stronger?


I think it is because the wicked have nothing with a strong foundation to hang onto, while those that DO have a strong foundation (God and His wisdom) are able to “hang in there” and even build stronger walls in their “houses of life.” This exactly what the second part of verse 25 states, and it goes even further to say that this “foundation” is an EVERLASTING one. Praise God, our foundation goes on forever!


The second part of each of these verses speak about those that are “righteous.” For those that may be new to this study, we have seen that the definition of “righteous” is: morally upright; without guilt or sin. The only way we can TRULY be without guilt or sin, is to accept Jesus sacrifice that nailed OUR sins to the cross and covered us with HIS righteousness.


Verse 24 says that those that are “righteous”… those that have chosen Jesus as their Lord BECAUSE of His sacrifice and love for them… will have their desires granted. God KNOWS the true desires of our heart, too. He sees our “wants” and knows whether or not they would be good for us, but our true “desires” are inner values of our hearts that bring us peace, joy, love… the Fruits of the Spirit when you get down to it!

Proverbs 10: 15 Wealth vs Poverty

Today’s verse discusses the attitudes of the rich and the poor.

Proverbs 10:15 (NKJV)

15 The rich man’s wealth is his strong city;

The destruction of the poor is their poverty.

The first part of the verse talks about a “strong city.” A “strong city” in Bible times was a place of refuge, protection and safety. This verse explains that a rich man usually puts his trust in his money to keep him safe and to take care of him. The problem with this is that Jesus taught us that you “can’t serve both God and mammon (money)… “ Matt 6:24 (NKJV) “ No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.”

It tells us in Ecclesiastes 5:10 (NIV) that, “Whoever loves money, never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is NEVER satisfied with his income.”

Matt 13:22 (NIV) tells us, “ The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful,” and 1 Tim. 6:17 (NIV) says, “ Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant, nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.”

The second part of our verse warns that poverty can cause the destruction of the poor. We see this so often in the world today. Those that live in places of poverty often end up in lives of crime or consumed by drugs, because they get into the company of those that have “chosen” paths that led them into that situation.

One thing that comes to my mind, though, is that sometimes, we can be in poverty stricken places and still see people that are happy. They have an “inner wealth” that sustains them and by trusting in God as their provider, they will be able to climb out of the pit they have found themselves in. So, it is possible to be destroyed by poverty if you take it to heart and become bitter and envious instead of trusting in God to lead you to paths that will eventually bring you out of it. It all depends on what your eyes are on… is it God, or is it money?!

Proverbs 10: 8 The Wise Listen...

Today’s verse contrasts another side of wisdom compared to foolishness.


Proverbs 10: 8 (NKJV)


8 The wise in heart will receive commands,

But a prating fool will fall.


A couple of the definitions of “command” is 1. an authoritative instruction that something must be done 2. the authority to command. People who are wise, and have made God’s wisdom a part of their hearts and minds, will realize that His is the ultimate authority in this life, and in the afterlife. They will know that He only asks things of them that will bring good things their way because He loves them. They CHOSE to follow the authoritative instructions of what HE says NEEDS to be done, because they trust in His ultimate love for them.

The definition of “prating” or to “prate” is to: To talk idly and at length; chatter. Speak empty, foolish, or trivial talk; idle chatter. I think women tend to call this "gossip" and men tend to call it "shooting the bull..." As we saw in the preceding paragraph, the wise person has made God’s wisdom a part of their lives and speak to His ways. This part of the verse tells us that foolish people (those that refuse to acknowledge God or His authority in their lives) speak of only empty, foolish or trivial things that help no one. These people will ultimately fail or “fall.”

Proverbs 10: 3

Proverbs 10: 3 (NKJV)

3 The LORD will not allow the righteous soul to famish,

But He casts away the desire of the wicked.

Today’s verse is another contrast between the “righteous” person and the “wicked” one. It contains a wonderful promise for those who choose the “paths of righteousness.”

NOTE: In most translations of the Bible, when the word “LORD” is in all capital letters, it has been translated from the Hebrew word, YHWH, which is so holy that many very devout Jewish people won’t even speak the word. When it has been translated from the Hebrew word, Adoni, it is written as “Lord,” and when the two Hebrew words are used together in the Old Testament, it is translated as “ Sovereign LORD.”

As we saw in our last study, the word, “righteous,” is defined in the Online Dictionary as: 1. Morally upright; without guilt or sin. The word, “famish,” is defined as: 1. To cause to endure severe hunger. 2. To cause to starve to death. This is a literal definition, and not someone who is just “very hungry,” but this is speaking of someone who is “starving to death!” This verse, then, says that God will NOT allow the righteous soul (a reborn soul) to starve to death. It is a promise we need to remember and have faith in.

To “cast away” is to: chuck out, discard, throw away, or throw out, and, as we have studied before, the “desires of the wicked,” could also be called the “lusts of the flesh.” Those that follow these “lusts” or fleshly desires are in direct opposition to the things of God, and they shall eventually be “cast away.”

Proverbs 8: 18 - 21

Today’s verses discuss how wisdom is related to wealth. They speak of “true” wealth of the soul. They go on to say that once “true wealth” is gained, THEN they seem to indicate that earthly wealth may come, but the treasures that are “laid up in heaven” will definitely be there.

Proverbs 8: 18 - 21(NKJV)

18 Riches and honor are with me,

Enduring riches and righteousness.

19 My fruit is better than gold, yes, than fine gold,

And my revenue than choice silver.

20 I traverse the way of righteousness,

In the midst of the paths of justice,

21 That I may cause those who love me to inherit wealth,

That I may fill their treasuries.

Verse 18 tells us that when we use Godly wisdom, “riches and honor” will be a part of our lives. Earthly “riches” are NOT “enduring.” Matthew 6:19-21 (NKJV) says: 19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Jesus, who is teaching in this passage, goes on to say, in Matthew 6:24-33:
24 “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon. 25 “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?

26 Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?

28 “So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; 29 and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?

31 “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

Jesus, being the SON of God, was our true example of Godly Wisdom, come down to earth. He didn’t have a lot of earthly riches, just enough to live on, and he wasn’t worried about it because he had a wealth of the “true riches” in his heart. He trusted with the complete trust of KNOWING his loving father (God) would take care of his earthly needs, and that by “sowing” God’s words of wisdom in his teachings to others, he would reap a mighty harvest.

He, as God’s example to us, truly showed us how to walk in the “way of righteousness” and in the “paths of justice.” If we follow his example and use wisdom to walk in his footsteps, then we will “inherit wealth,” and have our “treasuries,” the ones that really matter, filled.

Jesus walked this earth as a man, so that he could truly FEEL our pain, trials, AND temptations, but by keeping his eyes centered on God and HIS wisdom AT ALL TIMES, he was able to live a sinless life and be able to be “obedient, even unto death.” He now has ALL of the vast riches of heaven at his disposal. Truly, God’s wisdom ultimately led him to “inherit wealth,” and we can be “joint heirs” with him. We just need to “keep our eyes on the prize…!”

Proverbs 8: 4 - 11

Yesterday, we saw, in the first 3 verses of this chapter, “Wisdom” portrayed as a woman crying out to those that would listen. This is the theme in this chapter. Today’s verses go on to tell us some of the attributes of wisdom, and end with the admonition that earths riches “cannot be compared with her…”

Proverbs 8: 4 - 11 (NKJV)

4 “ To you, O men, I call,

And my voice is to the sons of men.

5 O you simple ones, understand prudence,

And you fools, be of an understanding heart.

6 Listen, for I will speak of excellent things,

And from the opening of my lips will come right things;

7 For my mouth will speak truth;

Wickedness is an abomination to my lips.

8 All the words of my mouth are with righteousness;

Nothing crooked or perverse is in them.

9 They are all plain to him who understands,

And right to those who find knowledge.

10 Receive my instruction, and not silver,

And knowledge rather than choice gold;

11 For wisdom is better than rubies,

And all the things one may desire

cannot be compared with her.

We know that all TRUE wisdom is of God, and in our first verses of this section, we are told that He calls out to men and the “sons of men.” Before we come to know God, we are “simple,” as in ignorant, or without understanding, and, as we have seen numerous times in Proverbs so far, we are “fools” in God’s sight. Remember Proverbs 1:7 says “The fear of the Lord is the BEGINNING of knowledge…”

When we choose to follow God and His ways through asking Jesus into our lives, then He comes to live in us by His Holy Spirit, and teaches us the things of God. I believe that this also means that He will help us to understand the things that He wants us to know as we read and study His Word.

Scripture tells us that “God’s ways are not our ways…” and so we NEED His Spirit to help us understand His ways. This gift of the Holy Spirit entering into our lives, comes when we are “born again.” Through sin, our spirits died and we need to be “made alive again” through a new birth. I want to make it clear that I am not speaking, here, about the different “gifts of the Holy Spirit” which sometimes gets people confused and can get controversial… I am simply speaking of God’s Spirit that is within us after we’ve decided to follow Him, and THAT is what helps us to understand God’s wisdom.

These verses tell us that God speaks of “excellent things…,” things that are righteous and true. Reminds me of Phil. 4:8 “8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.” (NKJV)

There is no wickedness or perversity among the words of God. Many times, people accuse God of wickedness and doing perverse things, but they don’t take into account that there is not only a God, but a Satan… and his followers… in this world that hate mankind and do all in their power to turn us from following God. Between these evil forces and the way they have influenced so much in this fallen world, and our own “lusts of the flesh” we may find ourselves in bad situations, but they aren’t authored by the God that loves us and even “paid the price of our sins” Himself!

The last verses in this section teach us that God’s instruction, knowledge, and wisdom is better than silver, gold or rubies, and anything else that might be desirable to us. Nothing can be compared to what God has in store for those who give their lives to following Him and His ways!