Proverbs chapter 14

vs 23

We know that both of these are untrue. Some people make their fortunes out of nothing but talk, and some people work hard their whole lives and forever stay in debt. But they are good general rules to follow, and will most likely pay out.

vs 24

And the last thing that a fool wants is yet more folly. Except, of course, that he's a fool, so he probably does.

vs 25

The lies upon lies that judges have to deal with every day, it's atrocious. And don't blame the lawyers - sure, there is probably a few seedy lawyers out there that crook things, but I can tell you that it's the clients that do most of the lying.

vs 26

You might not live in a castle, but you can still pass on a fortress to your kids in faith. And for as many kids that get a half-assed faith passed down to them, some really take, and there really is a new generation of faithful Christians that comes from faithful parents.

I'd almost say that there can be a case for half-assed Christians having half-assed parents, but I won't go that far.

vs 27

Is it just me, or is that a bit of a mix in metaphors? It's faith, it can do two things!

vs 28

You can't really call yourself a leader of men without men that you lead. All leaders should always remember this, because it doesn't really matter what you situation, the fact is that authority derives at least in part from the people whom you lead.

vs 29

I am forever grateful and jealous of those with patience. Sometimes I can be quite patient, but at other times I'm a mess.

vs 30

It really is incredible how so many of the attitudes that are wrong, like anger, envy, hatred and such, really do eat us up on the inside. But they are so hard to overcome! If you were ever doubting that you needed God to make you a better person, just remember that thing you fume about, that eats away at you and never lets go, and that probably doesn't effect the other person even in the slightest.

vs 31

Worth remembering next time you buy something made in a sweatshop or vote for the Liberal party. Oh yeah, I went there.

vs 32

And ultimately, that is the be all and end all. Death is when the chips are down. If you can't call on God and take refuge in him in death, then you really are going down.

vs 33

The Syriac really does seem like a silly truism, where as the other seems to suggest that even in fools you will sometimes find wisdom, and that is true. No-one is foolish all the time. They have to be wise at least once, even if it is by accident.

vs 34

The corporate nature of righteousness and sin are hugely important, but we pretty much ignore them in our individualistic society. Unfortunately, what I think a lot of people miss (especially in, say, the Christian political movement) is that righteousness cannot be separated from God. You can't pretend that making people live better is going to make them more righteous. Now that doesn't mean that Christian moral principles have nothing to do with creating legislation - laws that discourage abortions kill less children, for example. Laws that punish harmful behaviour through remand make people safer. But you can't legislate righteousness. You can't think that if you've got good laws, then God will make it rain in a drought. Doesn't work that way. In the OT, people didn't appease God by passing laws, or even keeping them. They apologised, and they destroyed idols. Best of luck getting Australia to do those things without evangelism.

vs 35

Not being one to have servants, but wishing I did, I guess we have to start drawing long bows to apply this one meaningfully. I will point out, though, that all we Christians are servants - both of God, and of each other. So even if we are wise just for that purpose, it's a good start.