King James Bible Study – [Mark 8:34 And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.]
Date: Wednesday, June 07, 2023
Chapters: PROVERBS 13-15
Study: Spiritually Wealthy
Hello My Brother/Sister/Friend,
It is hard to read through Proverbs without a thousand things going through your head. We can definitely learn a lot through these little tidbits of random thoughts. But I tell you what, I thought it was just me that starts talking about one thing and throws in something else real quick before going back to what I started talking about. This seems to have been Solomon’s pattern when he penned these, which is not a bad thing, it just gives us something else to think about before we lose focus on what point God is addressing us with to begin with.
Jesus, said this, [Luke 14:26-30 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. 27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. 28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? 29 Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, 30 Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.]
Jesus, wants us to count all the costs when it comes to our walk with Him before we even start walking with Him. While salvation is free, we do not expect the cost that comes by choosing Christ. The reason He said that we cannot be His disciple if we do not hate our family has to do with the fact that we will have family who will turn on us once we follow Christ. The crosses we bear are not the same, what you will face for your faith is not the same thing that I will face, but the foundation is the same. As long as we are standing upon His foundation we can carry the cross we bear because it is Jesus who will be carrying us.
[1 Corinthians 3:10-15 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. 11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; 13 Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. 14 If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 15 If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.]
Now, there is not one of us on this planet that does not have dreams or ambitions, while we do achieve some of them, the longer we walk this earth the more they change. Part of the reason they change is because our convictions change after we receive Christ as our Saviour, but the biggest reason for the change is that our priorities change. We no longer seek the things that our flesh desire as much as we seek the things that God desires for us. As we continue in the reading of Proverbs we find that we desire more than earthly wealth, we desire spiritual wealth, which can only be obtained by not only reading God’s Word, but consuming it also.
[Proverbs 13:1-5 A wise son heareth his father’s instruction: but a scorner heareth not rebuke. 2 A man shall eat good by the fruit of his mouth: but the soul of the transgressors shall eat violence. 3 He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction. 4 The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat. 5 A righteous man hateth lying: but a wicked man is loathsome, and cometh to shame.]
[but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.] By our words we will be justified or condemned, [Matthew 12:35-37 A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. 36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. 37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.]
[but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.] There are some of us who are paupers living our lives as though we are rich, selling what we have need of and spending that money on things we will never use in order to impress people. This is just as bad as those who are wealthy living like paupers, seeking handouts and taking everything they can get. There are many hypocrites, empty of grace, who will not be convinced of their spiritual poverty. And yet there are many God fearing Christians, who are spiritually rich, literally make themselves poor, by their constant doubts, complaints, and griefs over material things they do not have. This is how we become rich, [Luke 12:29-31 And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. 30 For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. 31 But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.]
Sometimes when we are going through things we lose focus on the important things and start focusing on the material things that may help us overcome them rather than focus on Christ. When our works start to exhaust us and we find ourselves in more trouble that is when we pray a little more, actually draw a little closer to Jesus. We literally see the hand of God, learn more of His mercies and grace, and come to grips more with the fact that we really are just sinners saved by grace, and just how long suffering and patient He is toward us as we struggle to find our way. We do ourselves as disservice by seeking material wealth rather than spiritual wealth.
[Proverbs 13:11-14,18-19 Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase. 12 Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life. 13 Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded. 14 The law of the wise is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death. 18 Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction: but he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured. 19 The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul: but it is abomination to fools to depart from evil.]
[Hope deferred maketh the heart sick:] When we start to lose hope of things changing that is when we start exhausting ourselves to the point that we make ourselves sick, both physically and spiritually. However, that hope we have in Christ truly is a fountain of life as He is the fountain of life. Faithful saved sinners are literally ambassadors for Christ, who happens to not only be our Great Physician, He is also the one who gives us life beyond the grave, [2 Corinthians 5:20-21 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. 21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.]
Do you see that? Christ, who knew no sin was made to be sin for us. God did that so that we could be saved and reconciled with God forever through our faith in His sinless death, burial, and resurrection. Do you think that God is pleased by the foolish saved sinners? Of course, He rejoiced when they bowed down and received His Son as their Saviour, but He is not pleased with their behavior one bit, and evil will continue to follow them until they repent or God brings them home because they are an endangerment.
[Proverbs 13:21-25 Evil pursueth sinners: but to the righteous good shall be repayed. 22 A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children’s children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just. 23 Much food is in the tillage of the poor: but there is that is destroyed for want of judgment. 24 He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes. 25 The righteous eateth to the satisfying of his soul: but the belly of the wicked shall want.]
[Evil pursueth sinners:] While we are all sinners, this goes beyond that, this is pure evil upon those who willingly seek and live in the sins of the world. Do you see how much sin is flaunted right now? I do not care if you agree with same sex relations or marriage, it is just as grotesque as men and women flaunting themselves in all their pride. It does not matter the sin, those who willingly live in sin will suffer in their sin, and may even die in it if they remain living in it,
[1 Corinthians 6:9-11 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.]
Receiving Christ as our Saviour may save our soul from death and hell forever, it will not save us from the pain and suffering that intentionally living in sin brings if we do not repent of it. Sadly, repentance is not an option anymore as it has been replaced with sin being justifiable or accepted once one is saved. While we all deal with some sort of sin, whether it be doubt, pride, lust, addiction, hatred, bitterness, envy, the list goes on and on, we cannot overcome it by ourselves. We need Jesus, but He will not force Himself upon us, even being saved, He only comes to us when we come to Him asking for help. Remember, He is the foundation as long as we build everything upon Him, we will build us up.
[Proverbs 14:1-3,7-9 Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands. 2 He that walketh in his uprightness feareth the LORD: but he that is perverse in his ways despiseth him. 3 In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride: but the lips of the wise shall preserve them. 7 Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge. 8 The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit. 9 Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favour.]
[when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge.] There is not one person who believes in God that does not get the opportunity to know who Jesus is and accept Him as their Saviour. I imagine that they are given several opportunities as He does not want one soul to end up in hell. Religion does not save you, you can serve God all you want, but unless you know Christ as your Saviour, He does not know you. And talk about labor done in vain, if you are willing to put all your work into a religion that is leading you straight to hell, then you are a fool, and when you see Jesus He will not only show you all the chances you had to get saved, He will also deny you, and all that hard work would have been for nothing.
[Proverbs 14:11-17 The house of the wicked shall be overthrown: but the tabernacle of the upright shall flourish. 12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. 13 Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the end of that mirth is heaviness. 14 The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man shall be satisfied from himself. 15 The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going. 16 A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident. 17 He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly: and a man of wicked devices is hated.]
[but the prudent man looketh well to his going.] [Prudent; Cautious; circumspect; practically wise; careful of the consequences of enterprises, measures or actions; cautious not to act when the end is of doubtful.] For the faithful saved sinner being prudent keeps us from backsliding, and if we do, then we are quick to return to Him. As for the foolish saved sinner as well as the foolish who never get saved, their being prudent will lead to their own destruction. While the foolish saved sinner will not lose their salvation backsliding, they will suffer a great deal until they repent or God brings them home, as they are an endangerment to themselves and others around them. As for the foolish who never act and to get saved, that will be the second death of them, [Revelation 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.]
There is a second death for the fools who refuse to accept Christ as their Saviour. Albeit, pride, ignorance, fear, or trusting in a religion or our own thinking, they all will receive a second death, which is also known as eternal death. We are all appointed once to die, that is the first death, unless Jesus returns in our lifetime. The second death death will come when every unsaved soul will stand before Jesus at the Judgment. Besides the flash before their eyes of all the times they had the opportunity to get saved, will be His judgment of eternal death. And by the way, those of us who are saved are required to tell those who are not saved how they can be, we are witnesses that are capable of leading the unsaved to be delivered from the second death.
[Proverbs 14:23-27,30-32 In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury. 24 The crown of the wise is their riches: but the foolishness of fools is folly. 25 A true witness delivereth souls: but a deceitful witness speaketh lies. 26 In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge. 27 The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death. 30 A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones. 31 He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor. 32 The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous hath hope in his death.]
[but the righteous hath hope in his death.] Where is our hope in death? Jesus Christ! And we never have to fear death because we are not dead, we are alive and when we shed this shell of a body that we carry around us, we will see Jesus. Praise God!
[2 Timothy 1:7-10 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 8 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; 9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, 10 But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:]
Can you now see what we are up against in this nation? How do we get through to people? I will tell you this, we cannot get through to them by yelling at them. The only way that we can get through to them is by teaching them like Jesus would if He were here in the flesh.
[Proverbs 15:1-4,7-9 A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger. 2 The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness. 3 The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good. 4 A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit. 7 The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doeth not so. 8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight. 9 The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the LORD: but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness.]
[but grievous words stir up anger.] Let me tell you, all it takes is to face death for you to truly understand what Jesus saved you from for understand just how slow God is to anger. We are at the mercies and grace of God every single breath that we take. If God was not slow to anger He would have destroyed the earth with the flood. As much as we fear what is coming to our world, especially with all the anger taking place right now and all the wicked destroying each other, I still believe that God has given us some time yet before He destroys it. However, that time is drawing closer so it is imperative that we reach them while we still have time,
[2 Peter 3:9-10 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.]
It is time for all the foolish saved sinners to repent, because Jesus will return as thief. And it is time for all of us to be strong and of good courage, to step up and proclaim our faith, and let no one take away our joy and hope, and let them know who our hope is in.
[Proverbs 15:11-17 Hell and destruction are before the LORD: how much more then the hearts of the children of men? 12 A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise. 13 A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken. 14 The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness. 15 All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast. 16 Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith. 17 Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.]
[how much more then the hearts of the children of men?] Does this sound familiar? It sounds similar to something Peter said, [1 Peter 4:17-18 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? 18 And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?]
You know, we may get chastened by God because He us our Father and truly does want to see us prosper, but the unsaved will have it much worse, they will literally die in their own destruction. The problem is that most people today are raised under this God hates everybody mentality should you admit that you are a sinner. It is much easier to convince a troubled young man that he is a girl inside than it is to convince him that he needs Jesus. There is a saying, “It takes a village to raise a child.”, in a way that is true for the Christian.
[Proverbs 15:22-29 Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established. 23 A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it! 24 The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath. 25 The LORD will destroy the house of the proud: but he will establish the border of the widow. 26 The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD: but the words of the pure are pleasant words. 27 He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live. 28 The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things. 29 The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.]
[but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.] While parents or caregivers are the ones who ought to be showing them the right way, they do not always have that and that is where God fearing guidance counselors, teachers, preachers, and employers come in. Now, put that in perspective as a Christian child, no matter your age, and you will find that the same thing is true. You get a new Christian around a bunch of ungodly Christians and they will not see the need for Christ, but if you get them around some God fearing Christians they will flourish in the wealth of the Spirit,
[Romans 8:26-28 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. 28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.]
Today’s Prayer: God, Thank You for being slow to anger, and giving us the opportunity to know the truth and accept Your Son as our Saviour while He is still able to be found. You gave us the example of Your Son to live by so that we can be wealthy, the most important in our spirit. Although we are prone to falling, and are prone to backsliding too, we are still Yours and nothing we ever do will change that. However, You do expect us to be faithful, repentant, witnesses, of what He has done in and through our lives. The only way we can do that is through Your power, strength, mercy, and grace as we read and study Your Word and apply it to our walk with You. Lord, lead us and guide us, grow us and strengthen our faith, let us be bold, take a stand, and feed our spirit with Your Holy Spirit power. I ask these things in Your name Jesus. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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