Monday, December 29, 2008
Proverbs 11 Leave a Legacy
If you would look up the word "DRIVE" in a Dictionary, you would find that it says "to guide, to control, or to direct."
When you drive a car, you guide, control, and direct it down the street.
When you drive a nail, you drive, control, and direct it into the wood.
When you drive a golf ball – hopefully – you drive, control, and direct it down the fairway.
Every life is driven by something. Every human being is driven by something.
Some people are driven by guilt. Some people are driven by worry or fear.
Some people are driven by insecurity. Some people are driven by anger.
Some people are driven all through life by resentment.
Some people are driven by their past and they spend their whole lives reliving or running from their past.
Why am I alive? is not exactly a new question. People have been asking it for thousands of years. In fact, the prophet, Jeremiah, asked it in Jeremiah 20:18, “Why was I born? Was it only to have trouble and sorrow, to end my life in disgrace?” There’ve probably been times in our lives when we’ve felt that way, too, right? Was I born just to have a bunch of problems? Was I put on this planet just to have heartache, grief and stress? Arthur Ashley Brilliant said, “my life has a superb cast, but I can’t figure out the plot.” Jack Hanley wrote, “I hope life isn’t a joke, because I don’t get it.”
A guy name Dr. Hugh Moorhead, who is the Chairman of the Department of Philosophy at Northeastern University, once wrote to 250 well-known philosophers, scientists, writers and intellectuals and asked them, “What is the purpose of Life? Then he published all their responses in a book, which is quite discouraging and depressing. Some of these people offered their best guesses. Some admitted they made up a purpose for life. Some admitted they didn’t have any idea what the purpose of life was, and if Dr. Moorhead knew, would he please let them know. Carl Jung, the famous disciple of Sigmund Freud said, “I don’t know the meaning, the purpose of life, but it looks as if something were meant by it.” Isaac Asimov wrote, “As far as I can see, there is no purpose.” Joseph Taylor, gave his answer in his own book, titled, “I Have No Answers To The Meaning of Life and I No Longer Want to Search For Any.”
Does my life matter? Isaiah asked this question in Isaiah 49:4a. He said, “My work all seems so useless! I have spent my strength for nothing and for no purpose at all.” (Isaiah 49:4a (NLT) We were made for meaning, and if we don’t have a meaning and purpose in our lives, and we don’t know why God put us on this planet, life doesn’t make sense.
During World War II, there were prisoners in a Nazi concentration camp in Hungary that were processing human sewage in a factory. The allies came along, bombed the factory and blew it apart, so the prisoners had nothing to do. The Nazi soldiers had the prisoners take all the rubble of the factory and move it to another field. The next day, they had them take the same rubble and move it back in reverse. The next day, they had to take the stuff and move it back. Day after day they had no meaning, and no purpose. Something strange began to happen. The prisoners began to go crazy. They lost their will to live because there was no meaning, no purpose to their work. They were just moving bricks back and forth, back and forth. Many of them began to throw themselves in front of the guards trying to get shot. In essence, they were trying to commit suicide. They did it because you and I were made for meaning.
God says, “I am your Creator. You were in my care even before you were born.” Isa. 44:2 (CEV) God was caring for us even in His mind as He thought us up! The next verse says “You (talking about God)… scheduled each day of my life before I began to breath. Every day was recorded in your book.” “His plans endure forever; His purposes last eternally.” Psalm 33:11 The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of His heart from generation to generation. 12 Happy is the nation whose God is the Lord— the people He has chosen to be His own possession!
(Psalm 112:6) “…A righteous man will be remembered forever.”
1. Live with integrity.
Proverbs 11:1 Dishonest scales are detestable to the Lord, but an accurate weight is His delight.
2 When pride comes, disgrace follows, but with humility comes wisdom. 3 The integrity of the upright guides them, but the perversity of the treacherous destroys them (Proverbs 22:1) “A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.”
30 Most Admired Men List. Only one person 30 years on list .. Billy Graham. Lived a life that was true. Words and actions match up. Keep their word.
(Proverbs 25:14) “Like clouds and wind without rain is a man who boasts of gifts he does not give.”
Things you’ve said and not followed up on. We are going to need help!
(Psalm 101:2 LB) “I will try to walk a blameless path, but how I need Your help, especially in my own home, where I long to act as I should.”
Success isn’t impressing the people who don’t know me very well, but those who know me best.
Prov 19:1 1 Better a poor man who walks in integrity than someone who has deceitful lips and is a fool.
Verse 1 says it this way, "Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool." It is better to be poor and honest than wealthy and dishonest. The very cornerstone for your business philosophy is integrity... honesty.
Today the Department of Agriculture employs experts who check the weights and scales used in the food industry. In the ancient world there were no such standards. A fulcrum-like scale was used, with weights hung on one end and the product on the other. If a grain merchant used an undersized weight to measure your purchase, you would buy less than you paid for.
Proverbs 11:1 speaks to every business situation today. A lawyer can misuse legal standards without the knowledge of his uninformed client. A physician can overcharge her patient’s insurance company. A pastor can steal sermons and preach them as his own, or make false statements regarding the biblical text. Where are you tempted by undetected dishonesty today?
The Lord finds “delight” in honest character. Is the Lord delighted in you? Honesty is the ONLY policy.
Matthew Henry, the great Bible scholar, was once attacked by thieves and robbed of his wallet. He wrote these words in his diary: "Let me be thankful. First, I was never robbed before. Second, although they took my wallet, they didn't take my life. Third, although they took all I had, it was not much. Fourth, let me be thankful that it was I who was robbed and not I who did the robbing."
“The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity” (11:3). “Integrity” translates a Hebrew word for innocence. The English word is associated with integer, a whole or undivided number. To have “integrity” is to be undivided, to have one purpose. Such commitment keeps us innocent of wrongdoing. By contrast, “duplicity” translates a Hebrew word that means to cover deceitfully. We cannot serve two masters equally well (see Matt. 6:24). If we are one person at church and another at work, we lack “integrity” of heart and will be destroyed by our “duplicity.” If we are one way in public and another in private, we cannot live with joy and peace. We must choose one Master and serve him always, or we cannot have his blessing and purpose. Would Jesus say that you are fully his?
2. Serve with intensity.
Proverbs 17:24 (The Good News Version) "An intelligent person aims at wise actions, but a fool starts off in many directions." Wisdom is the focus of the perceptive, but a fool’s eyes roam to the ends of the earth.
William Borden (1887-1913), heir to the Borden dairy fortune, turned his back on riches to travel overseas as a missionary. He never reached his assigned field, dying of meningitis during the voyage. Papers the world over carried the tragic story of a life some called unfulfilled. But his friends knew better. They pointed to his life motto, scrawled inside his Bible: “No reserve. No retreat. No regrets.” Many who heard his story responded with their own commitment to missions, and God’s kingdom advanced. Jim Elliott (1927-1956), the famous missionary martyr, left in his journal this oft-quoted proverb: “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” His wisdom has inspired generations to complete surrender to Christ.
Prov 11: 5 The righteousness of the blameless clears his path, but the wicked person will fall because of his wickedness. 6 The righteousness of the upright rescues them, but the treacherous are trapped by their own desires.
(Proverbs 14:21 GN) ““You will earn the trust and respect of others if you work for good.”
The one who despises his neighbor sins, but whoever shows kindness to the poor will be happy
(Mark 9:34-35) “…on the way (the disciples) had argued about who was the greatest. Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, ‘If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all.’”
People who made a difference in your life. Max knight, Dick McLellan, so many people that mae a difference.
(Colossians 3:23) “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.”
I’m gonna love you by loving other people.
A - Accept responsibility for my life.
Galatians 6:5 “Each person must be responsible for himself.”
There are accusers. They always blame everybody else for their problems. Their favorite phrase is, "It's all your fault." It's never my fault. It's someone else’s fault.
There are the excusers. Excusers are people that always have an excuse for not making a decision or doing something. There's always a reason why they can’t make the most or get the most out of their year. In the long run they end up being the losers. I've discovered that whenever I want to procrastinate on something, any excuse will do. The Bible says, "A lazy man is full of excuses."
There are the choosers, they say, “I choose to accept responsibility for my own life, goals and happiness. I'm not dependent upon somebody else. I choose the direction of my life.” I'm not depending upon the crowd.
B - Believe I can change
Stop saying, "I can't" and start saying, "I can". The person that believes that they can change with the help of God will change.
Philippians 4:13 (Jerusalem Bible) “There is nothing I cannot master with the help of Christ who gives me strength.”
God called a man named Moses: “I want to use you to save a nation.” Moses said, “Me? I got kicked out of Egypt because I killed a guy. I'm a murderer. Now I'm out here feeding sheep. And on top of that, I stutter! I'm slow of speech. You want me to be the spokesman for a nation?” God said, "Yes. I'm going to use you."
God another man named Gideon, when the nation of Israel was over run by the enemy: “I'm going to use you, Gideon, to save the country.” Gideon said, “Me? I am the youngest kid in the poorest family in the smallest tribe in the nation.” God said, “Yes. I'm going to use you.”
God can use me and God can use you. The good news is God wants to use you. First you must accept responsibility for your own life. And second you must believe you can change, that God can give you the power to change if you'll trust Him.
C - Clarify what I really want
(John 6:27) “Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life.”
D - Don't wait to begin
Ecclesiastes 11:4 “If you wait for perfect conditions, you will never get anything done.”
3. Give with generosity.
Prov 11:17 A kind man benefits himself, but a cruel man brings disaster on himself.[18
(Psalm 112:9) “They share freely and give generously to those in need. Their good deeds will be remembered forever. They will have influence and honor.”
Andrew Carnegie. After death found a hand written mission statement. 1st half of life making as much money as I can and second half giving it away. Gave 450 million dollars away. But how do you know when half way is?
(Proverbs 11:25) “A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.”
Jn 3;16 at deepest part of His heart He is generous.
(Proverbs 3:27) “Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act. Do not say to your neighbor, ‘Come back later; I'll give it tomorrow’ — when you now have it with you.”
One tangible result of inner character and obedience is outward generosity to those in need. It is impossible for you to love me and hate my sons. It is equally impossible for me to love the Father in heaven and hate the Father’s children on earth. Giving to others is one indication of a heart given to the Lord.
Verse 23: The desire of the righteous ends only in good, but the hope of the wicked only in wrath.
“Desire” translates a Hebrew word for longing or even greed. It points to the passion or single focus of the “righteous,” those who are right with God, others, and themselves. Such people’s desires end “only in good,” whether on earth or also in heaven. However, the “hope” or expectation of the wicked ends “only in wrath,” whether on earth or also in heaven.
Verse 24 explains one reason why: One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.
To give “freely” is to give without boundary or expectation of reward. It would seem that such generosity would cost the giver, when in fact she “gains even more” on earth or also in heaven. Another “withholds unduly,” refusing to give when he should, rejecting worthy needs and opportunities. He would seem to have more as a result, but he “comes to poverty” on earth or also in heaven. In this way the “righteous” end in “good” while the “wicked” end in “wrath.”
Verse 25 amplifies God’s promise to the obedient: A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.
“A generous man will prosper” is translated literally, the soul of blessing will be made fat. “He who refreshes others will himself be refreshed” translates the Hebrew, he watering will also drink fully. Once again the opposite of conventional wisdom is true: the more we give the more we have, on earth or also in heaven.
Verse 28 summarizes this part of our study: Whoever trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf. A “green leaf” in that arid part of the world pointed to a water source of abundant and constant provision. We think of Psalm 1:3: “He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither.” When we are right with God, others, and ourselves, we are in position to receive all that God’s grace intends to give. He prospers his people according to his glory and their good, on earth or also in heaven.
4. Succeed with humility.
“When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom” (Prov. 11:2). Note that pride is a guaranteed temptation: “when,” not if is the word used. The first temptation in the Garden of Eden was to be “like God” (Genesis 3:5). Such is still the perennial test today. We think that pride leads to success and status, but the opposite is true. With pride “comes disgrace”—not always today, or even in this life, but always in eternal reward or loss.
By contrast, “with humility comes wisdom.” Biblical humility is not thinking less of yourself than you should. It is not thinking of yourself at all. It is seeking God’s glory above your own, the advancement of others before yours, choosing to serve always. To see whether you’re such a servant, watch how you react when others treat you like one.
Humility is essential to wisdom, because God cannot give what we will not receive. No doctor can help a patient who refuses her care. The Lord cannot do for us what we try to do for ourselves. To admit our need of God is essential to experiencing his power (see Matthew 5:3). That’s why the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge (Prov. 1:7). When last did you give your problems and plans to his Lordship?
(Proverbs 29:23 GN) “Arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.”
A person’s pride will humble him, but a humble spirit will gain honor.
A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.
(Proverbs 15:33 LB) “Humility and reverence for the Lord will make you both wise and honored.”
KJV The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.
33 The fear of the Lord is wisdom’s instruction, and humility comes before honor.
5. Share Christ with urgency.
Prov 11:30 he who wins souls is wise.
(Proverbs 13:14) A wise man’s instruction is a fountain of life, turning people away from the snares of death.
(Luke 12:16-21) “The ground of a certain rich man produced a good crop. He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’ Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I’ll say to myself, ‘You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.’ But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’ This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God.”
I turn to my edition of John Wesley’s Journal, and at the end I find a tribute like this:
“The great purpose of his life was doing good. For this he relinquished all honor and preferment; to this he dedicated all his powers of body and mind; at all times and in all places, in season and out of season, by gentleness, by terror, by argument, by persuasion, by reason, by interest, by every motive and every inducement, he strove, with unwearied assiduity, to turn people from the error of their ways and awaken them to virtue and religion. To the bed of sickness or the couch of prosperity; to the prison or the hospital; to the house of mourning or the house of feasting, wherever there was a friend to serve or a soul to save, he readily repaired. He thought no office too humiliating, no condescension too low, no undertaking too arduous, to reclaim the meanest of God’s offspring. The souls of all people were equally precious in his sight and the value of an immortal creature beyond all estimation.”
Our Prayer (Psalm 90:12) “Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”
30 Days to Live
(Hebrews 9:27) “…man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment.”
(Psalm 39:4-5 NLT) “LORD, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered, and that my life is fleeing away. My life is no longer than the width of my hand. An entire lifetime is just a moment to you; human existence is but a breath.”
Leave a Legacy
(Psalm 112:6) “…A righteous man will be remembered forever.”
1. Live with integrity.
(Proverbs 22:1) “A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.”
(Proverbs 25:14) “Like clouds and wind without rain is a man who boasts of gifts he does not give.”
(Psalm 101:2 LB) “I will try to walk a blameless path, but how I need Your help, especially in my own home, where I long to act as I should.”
2. Serve with intensity.
(Proverbs 14:21 GN) ““You will earn the trust and respect of others if you work for good.”
(Mark 9:34-35) “…on the way (the disciples) had argued about who was the greatest. Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, ‘If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all.’”
(Colossians 3:23) “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.”
(John 6:27) “Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life.”
3. Give with generosity.
(Psalm 112:9) “They share freely and give generously to those in need. Their good deeds will be remembered forever. They will have influence and honor.”
(Proverbs 11:25) “A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.”
(Proverbs 3:27) “Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act. Do not say to your neighbor, ‘Come back later; I'll give it tomorrow’ — when you now have it with you.”
4. Succeed with humility.
(Proverbs 29:23 GN) “Arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.”
(Proverbs 15:33 LB) “Humility and reverence for the Lord will make you both wise and honored.”
5. Share Christ with urgency.
(Luke 12:16-21) “The ground of a certain rich man produced a good crop. He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’ Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I’ll say to myself, ‘You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.’ But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’ This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God.”
Our Prayer
(Psalm 90:12) “Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”
