Proverbs 29 - A few words of wisdom

Of course the whole of Proverbs is dedicated to wisdom, but into today's reading I just highlight these few verses.

Something to keep in mind each day.

Pro 29:20  Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words? there is more hope of a fool than of him.

Pro 29:22  An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression.

Pro 29:23  A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.

Btw, in our small group we are reading Luke 6, where we find this verse.

Luk 6:20  And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God.

Gill writes...

blessed be ye poor; not only in the things of this world, having left all for Christ, but poor in Spirit, as in Mat 5:3; see Gill on Mat 5:3,

Matthew 5:3

Blessed are the poor in spirit,.... Not the poor in purse, or who are so with respect to things temporal: for though God has chosen and called many, who are in such a condition of life, yet not all; 

the kingdom of heaven cannot be said to belong to them all, or only; but such as are poor in a spiritual sense. 

All mankind are spiritually poor; they have nothing to eat that is fit and proper; nor any clothes to wear, but rags; nor are they able to purchase either; they have no money to buy with; they are in debt, owe ten thousand talents, and have nothing to pay; and in such a condition, that they are not able to help themselves. 

The greater part of mankind are insensible of this their condition; but think themselves rich, and increased with goods: there are some who are sensible of it, who see their poverty and want, freely acknowledge it, bewail it, and mourn over it; are humbled for it, and are broken under a sense of it; entertain low and mean thoughts of themselves; seek after the true riches, both of grace and glory; and frankly acknowledge, that all they have, or hope to have, is owing to the free grace of God. 

Now these are the persons intended in this place; who are not only "poor", but are poor "in spirit"; in their own spirits, in their own sense, apprehension, and judgment: and may even be called "beggars", as the word may be rendered; 

for being sensible of their poverty, they place themselves at the door of mercy, and knock there; their language is, "God be merciful"; their posture is standing, watching, and waiting, at wisdom's gates, and at the posts of her door; they are importunate, will have no denial, yet receive the least favour with thankfulness. Now these are pronounced "blessed", for this reason,

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven; not only the Gospel, and the ministration of it, which belongs to them. "The poor have the Gospel preached": it not only reaches their ears, but their hearts; it enters into them, is applied unto them, they receive and embrace it with the utmost joy and gladness; but eternal glory, this is prepared for them, and given to them; they are born heirs of it, have a right unto it, are making meet for it, and shall enjoy it.

Btw we see an example of this "poor in spirit" here in Jesus' teaching.

Luk 18:9  And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:

Luk 18:10  Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.

Luk 18:11  The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.

Luk 18:12  I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.

Luk 18:13  And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.

Luk 18:14  I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

Less we spiritualized this too much my reading today also affirms God's heart for those poor in substance too....note these verses, from two chapters.

Pro 29:7  The righteous considereth the cause of the poor: but the wicked regardeth not to know it.

Pro 29:13  The poor and the deceitful man meet together: the LORD lighteneth both their eyes.

Pro 29:14  The king that faithfully judgeth the poor, his throne shall be established for ever.

Job 29:12  Because I delivered the poor that cried, and the fatherless, and him that had none to help him.

Job 29:16  I was a father to the poor: and the cause whichI knew not I searched out.

We must never neglect this teach either.

Btw...I don't think the Bible limits our generous gifts to those in our church only, or Christians in general, but with limited resources we do have examples of providing to our brothers and sisters in Christ as a specific action.

.....And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.

Act 11:27  And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch.

Act 11:28  And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that there should be great dearth throughout all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar.

Act 11:29  Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea:

Act 11:30  Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.

There are other examples of this also.