He
layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous (Prov 2:7)
Wisdom and Foolishness – A Contrast: Our Relationships
(2): Proverbs 18:22-24
22) [Whoso] findeth a wife findeth
a good [thing], and obtaineth favour
of the LORD.
23) The poor useth intreaties; but the rich answereth roughly.
24) A man [that hath] friends
must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend [that] sticketh closer than a brother.
Wisdom
applied to our relationships with others….
EXPOSITION:
22) [Whoso] findeth a wife findeth
a good [thing], and obtaineth favour
of the LORD.
Based
upon the context of this statement, Solomon is clearly speaking of the
attaining of a virtuous, Godly wife:
1. When a
man acquires a Godly woman, it is very beneficial, pleasing, and precious to
him.
2. This man,
who has sought and found a Godly woman, is blessed of the Lord for seeking a
mate that pleases Him.
These principles apply to both genders in a marital
relationship. Finding a Godly mate is beneficial
in two ways: The one faithful in finding
a Godly mate will benefit:
1. from
their new-found spouse
2. from the
blessings of God that accompanying that spouse.
“A virtuous woman [is] a crown
to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed [is] as rottenness in his bones.”
(Proverbs 12:4)
23) The poor useth intreaties; but the rich answereth roughly.
1. Many times, those who are reliant upon the
mercy of others will possess a humble attitude and will deal with their
benefactors in a very kind gracious way.
2. Those who are not reliant upon others will
possess a prideful attitude which will cause them to speak fiercely to those
around him.
When
we develop a spirit of pride and self-reliance, it will lead us to mistreating
others. It is only when we are humble of
spirit that we will treat others as if they are better than ourselves, and
bring honor to the Lord in our relationships with others.
“Let the brother of low
degree rejoice in that he is exalted: But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass
he shall pass away.” (James 1:9-10)
24) A man [that hath] friends
must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend [that] sticketh closer than a brother.
1. Our treatment of others will dictate the
number and type of friends that we possess.
The idea of being “friendly” involves spoiling others, or treating
others better than they might deserve. Many
times, by us going the extra mile for others, we will gain their favor and
enter into friendships with them.
2. In some cases, it is possible for friends to
become so close that they will make greater sacrifices for one another than sacrifices
made between family members.
The
relationship between the Lord and His people is a wonderful example of this
type of friendship. In this friendship we
find that Christ was willing to give His life for us, and in return, we are to
give our lives in service for Him…
“This is my commandment,
That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his
friends. Ye are my friends, if ye
do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his
lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of
my Father I have made known unto you.” (John 15:12-15)
“For whoso findeth me
findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD.” (Proverbs 8:35)
SUMMARY:
In
this text we have seen three very important principles for wisdom in our
relationships with others:
1. Finding a
Godly mate is beneficial in two ways: blessings
from their new-found spouse, from the
blessings of God that accompanying that spouse.
2. When we develop a
spirit of pride and self-reliance, it will lead us to mistreating others. It is only when we are humble of spirit that
we will treat others as if they are better than ourselves, and bring honor to
the Lord in our relationships with others.
3. Our treatment of others will dictate the
number and type of friends that we possess.
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”.
SIH Homepage: http://www.settledinheaven.org
SIH
Text Blog: http://settledinheaven.wordpress.com/all-about-salvation/
SIH
Video Blog: http://youtube.com/settledinheaven/
SIH
Email: settledinheaven@gmail.com
No comments:
Post a Comment