SIH’s Think On These Things: Proverbs 24:27-29

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

 

Cultivate Godly Attitudes: Relationships Not Selfishness: Proverbs 24:27-29

27) Prepare thy work without, and make it fit for thyself in the field; and afterwards build thine house.
28) Be not a witness against thy neighbour without cause; and deceive [not] with thy lips.
29) Say not, I will do so to him as he hath done to me: I will render to the man according to his work.

 

Solomon now shares with us teachings on the need to cultivate Godly attitudes…

 

EXPOSITION:

Here, we will see the need to choose relationships over selfishness…

27) Prepare thy work without, and make it fit for thyself in the field; and afterwards build thine house.
1.  Set in order your labors outside the home (preparing building materials and then erect our home)
2.  Properly organize your fields (livestock and crops)
3.  After these add onto your existing homes

Here we have the need for self-control and unselfishness by setting the right priorities of life.   We are to always take care of OUR NEEDS BEFORE OUR WANTS.  We are to erect our home and secure our food and building supplies before we are to embellish and beautify our homes.

A selfish man would be more concerned about the temporal pleasures of ease of living than to labor to make sure their future needs are supplied.  By doing this, we are not willingly becoming a burden on those around us.

“For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have [sufficient] to finish [it]?  Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish [it], all that behold [it] begin to mock him,  Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.”   (Luke 14:28-30)

 

28) Be not a witness against thy neighbour without cause; and deceive [not] with thy lips.
1.  Do not testify in opposition to a neighbor without having a legitimate reason
2.  Do not lie about your neighbor to others

We are to never be a false witness about our neighbors, whether in a court of law or simply as we speak to others around us.

“Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.   Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:  Neither give place to the devil.”   (Ephesians 4:25-27)

 

29) Say not, I will do so to him as he hath done to me: I will render to the man according to his work.
1.  Do not say that we will treat our neighbor as they have treated us
2.  Do not say that we will hand back to them what they have given to us.

We are to never desire to get vengeance against our neighbors, nor stoop to their level when they mistreat us.  Our main concern is to always show mercy, patience and love towards others.  In doing so, we are showing Christ to them through our actions and lifestyles.

“Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all [men].  See that none render evil for evil unto any [man]; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all [men].”   (1 Thessalonians 5:14-15)

 

SUMMARY:

We are to always keep our flesh and selfish desires under control.  Three main areas in our relationship with others involves:
1. When possible supply our own needs for living.  In doing so, we will not become a burden upon others and allow them to concentrate on supplying their own needs and the needs of their household.
2.  We are to never be a false witness about our neighbors, whether in a court of law or simply as we speak to others around us.
3. We are to never desire to get vengeance against our neighbors, nor stoop to their level when they mistreat us.

 

By doing these, we are choosing our relationship with others over our own selfish desires.

May we all possess Godly wisdom and live our lives for Him.  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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