Today's Proverb (Proverbs 23)

Proverbs 23 is one of my favorites, because of its candid warning against alcoholism (and addictions in general).
These are the verses that stood out to me and my comments:

Proverbs 23

1 When you sit to dine with a ruler, note well what [a] is before you, 2 and put a knife to your throat if you are given to gluttony. 3 Do not crave his delicacies, for that food is deceptive.

You know how mothers always warn young girls not to accept gifts from men? Well, here is the same concept. What is likely meant by, “food is deceptive” is it comes at a price. 4 Do not wear yourself out to get rich; have the wisdom to show restraint.

5 Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle.

The pursuit of wealth is ultimate vanity. Proverbs 21:21 says, “He who pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor.” There is nothing wrong with money, all by it self, it is the love of money that is the root of all evil. We have to make sure that we handle money as God’s managers, and God will take care of the rest. To make money (or the lack thereof) our priority is foolishness. Here’s what Jesus said in Matthew 6:19-24.

19"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 22"The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. 23But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!
24"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.

6 Do not eat the food of a stingy man, do not crave his delicacies; 7 for he is the kind of man who is always thinking about the cost. [b] "Eat and drink," he says to you, but his heart is not with you. 8 You will vomit up the little you have eaten and will have wasted your compliments.

I really like this passage. It seems really practical. It forces you to think.


9 Do not speak to a fool, for he will scorn the wisdom of your words.

If you have ever had to confront someone who was being foolish, then you know that this warning is true. They will despise you, because you speak the truth.


10 Do not move an ancient boundary stone or encroach on the fields of the fatherless, 11 for their Defender is strong; he will take up their case against you.

It’s good to know God protects the fatherless. It says this more than once in the Word.


13 Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you punish him with the rod, he will not die. 14 Punish him with the rod and save his soul from death.

Punishment will not kill your child, it’s the lack thereof that can. This is a very serious verse we should consider carefully.


15 My son, if your heart is wise, then my heart will be glad; 16 my inmost being will rejoice when your lips speak what is right. 24 The father of a righteous man has great joy; he who has a wise son delights in him. 25 May your father and mother be glad; may she who gave you birth rejoice!

When we are wise, it makes our parents glad. When we are foolish, they usually let us know it. Make sure that these principles are just something you read online. Get them into your soul and incorporate them in your life. Ask God for wisdom to apply the teachings of the Proverbs. Look for opportunities to teach the principles to your own children at any age.


17 Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the LORD. 18 There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.

Back to my comments about envying the wealthy…don’t do it. Don’t compare yourself to Jay-Z and Beyonce,’ but be zealous for God, because “there is surely a future hope for you.”
***Verse 18 is one of my all time favorites. If life gets to looking hopeless, commit it to memory.


28 Like a bandit she lies in wait, and multiplies the unfaithful among men.

Wow! How powerful. As divas we have to make sure that our actions, our speech and even our dress does not “multiply the unfaithful…” We don’t want to cause the brothers (or anyone) to sin.


29 Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaints? Who has needless bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes? 30 Those who linger over wine, who go to sample bowls of mixed wine. 31 Do not gaze at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly! 32 In the end it bites like a snake and poisons like a viper. 33 Your eyes will see strange sights and your mind imagine confusing things. 34 You will be like one sleeping on the high seas, lying on top of the rigging. 35 "They hit me," you will say, "but I'm not hurt! They beat me, but I don't feel it! When will I wake up so I can find another drink?"

Deep. It is implying that pain and misery still do not seem to detour alcoholics from the drink. Drink responsibly (or not at all).

--Saucy Sister