Saturday, February 8, 2014

“SIH’s Think On These Things: Proverbs 20:14-17”


He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous (Prov 2:7)

Pitfalls In The Lord’s Service: Deceit (2) : Proverbs 20:14-17
14) [It is] naught, [it is] naught, saith the buyer: but when he is gone his way, then he boasteth.
15) There is gold, and a multitude of rubies: but the lips of knowledge [are] a precious jewel.
16) Take his garment that is surety [for] a stranger: and take a pledge of him for a strange woman.
17) Bread of deceit [is] sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.

In this chapter, Solomon reminds us of many different pitfalls that can ensnare a Christian in his service of Christ. In this section of Scripture, Solomon finishes his look at the pitfalls of deceit by returning to the theme of sinful business practices.  Please note: in our previous study (vs 10) we were warned about another deceitful business practice (the use of different weights and measures to secure excessive profits).


EXPOSITION:
14) [It is] naught, [it is] naught, saith the buyer: but when he is gone his way, then he boasteth.
Deceitful business practices (lying about gain):
1.  The buyer states “it is bad, it is bad”… in other words, he is making claims that the deal he has entered into holds no profit for him and that perhaps, he is even losing money.
2. But when he departs from the customer, he boasts about the great profit he has actually made and how he took advantage of his customer.

Being deceitful about the terms in a business agreement are a pitfall that we are to avoid as we seek to glorify God in our lives.  How often is this done in today’s time, such as: “Bait and switch”;  advertising prices far above cost as “sales price”; “limited time” offers that use pressure tactics to make sale, the list goes on and on.  All of these are the types of sins being described in this section.  For the Christian, we are to be straight forward, honest, open and fair in ALL of our business dealings.

“[He is] a merchant, the balances of deceit [are] in his hand: he loveth to oppress.  And Ephraim said, Yet I am become rich, I have found me out substance: [in] all my labours they shall find none iniquity in me that [were] sin.   (Hosea 12:7-8)


15) There is gold, and a multitude of rubies: but the lips of knowledge [are] a precious jewel.
Propagating deceitful business practices among other businessmen:
1.  There exists different forms of temporal worldly wealth including precious metals, precious jewels etc.
2.  But the proclamation of knowledge (through our speech and the example we put forth) is actually the only lasting wealth that will reach into eternity and beyond.

Many times those who are deceitful, will try to mislead other businessmen to follow their example by overemphasizing the value of high profits and worldly gain. 

An honest businessman is the one that is seeking to obtain that which is of greatest value, the proclamation of Christ and the resultant eternal rewards.  This is done through his examples of honesty and transparency in business transactions, and his personal testimony in all areas of his life.

Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.  And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.  Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:  And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.   (Ephesians 4:29-32)

16) Take his garment that is surety [for] a stranger: and take a pledge of him for a strange woman.
Deceitful business practices (merciless and sinful gains):
1.  Many times wicked business men required a garment from the poor as a down payment for their transaction (instead of showing concern and mercy to the poor).  The Lord will take that garment from the businessman making sure he will not receive lasting gain from his hardheartedness.
2.  For those who are in illicit business ventures (such as prostitution), the Lord will take their profits as well. 

There are no lasting value in gains made from the abuse of others.  The two types of abuse mentioned here are:
a.  taking unjust gains from those who come to you for necessities who are defenseless to your abuse.  Examples include making large profits by selling items of food, clothing, and shelter to widows, the fatherless and those truly unable to work and others who deserve kindness and mercy.  Literally “taking the shirt off their back”, knowing that they are helplessly at your will.
 
b.  making profits from the sale of items which satisfy the sinful lusts of the flesh.  Examples include prostitution, drug dealing, pornography, adult cruises, etc etc which only promote sinful lifestyles and practices.

If thou at all take thy neighbour's raiment to pledge, thou shalt deliver it unto him by that the sun goeth down:  For that [is] his covering only, it [is] his raiment for his skin: wherein shall he sleep? and it shall come to pass, when he crieth unto me, that I will hear; for I [am] gracious.   (Exodus 22:26-27)


17) Bread of deceit [is] sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.
Deceitful business practices (their end result):
1.  When unjust, deceitful business gains are had, much like bread is eaten, they are pleasant and satisfying as they are being eaten.
2.  But the pleasure and satisfaction last for only a short period of time, then change to an irritating, painful mouthful of gravel.

Although the fruits of unjust gain are satisfying and pleasant in the short term, in the long term they only bring irritation and displeasure as they are fully digested . 

And when the woman saw that the tree [was] good for food, and that it [was] pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make [one] wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.  And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they [were] naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.   (Genesis 3:6-7)


SUMMARY:
We have seen in the past few verses some very important principles concerning deceitful business practices…
1.  The use of deceitful business practices are abominations in the eyes of the Lord. (vs 10)
2.  Being deceitful about the terms in a business agreement are a pitfall that we are to avoid.
3.  An honest businessman is the one that is seeking to obtain that which is of greatest value, the proclamation of Christ and the resultant eternal rewards. 
4.  There are no lasting value in gains made from the abuse of others. 
5.  Two types of abuse are:  taking unjust gains from those who come to you for necessities; making profits from the sale of items which satisfy the sinful lusts of the flesh.
6.  Deceitful business practices, in the end, are harmful and painful like a mouthful of gravel

For those of us who are practicing businessmen….. do others see Christ in us as we enter into business arrangements?

By God’s grace, let us all study these proverbs diligently, giving them the value that they deserve.

May the Lord bless us as we receive this sound wisdom and then “Think On These Things”.



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