Tags

, , , , , ,

Gentle

I am called to gentle and humble. Jesus is clear with me that I should meek. I should look to be last not first. I am to show grace to all I can.

Contrast that with the lust for money. It takes a violent nature to grab for the loot and ignore justice for the poor and needy.

There is a lesson here. It is from a wise man.

 “A woman of gentle grace gets respect, but men of rough violence grab for loot.” ~King Solomon | Proverbs 11:16 (The Message Bible)

This could be viewed as contradicting other statements about wealth, but Proverbs never denies that the wicked can obtain wealth. Instead, Proverbs shows that a proper attitude of righteousness and humility is preferable to wealth — especially wealth earned through injustice or wickedness.

Most of the verses in Proverbs 11 refer in some way to the rewards of righteous and kind living. Verse 16 contrasts the respect or honor acquired by a kindhearted woman  with the wealth attained by ruthless men. The word only suggests that wealth is much inferior to honor. The word for “ruthless” (‘ārîṣ) means one who strikes terror because of his wickedness. This keeps him from enjoying honor, respect, or even peace of mind.

Here is the rest of the chapter:

17 A kind man benefits himself,
but a cruel person brings ruin on himself.

18 The wicked person earns an empty wage,
but the one who sows righteousness, a true reward.

19 Genuine righteousness leads to life,
but pursuing evil leads to death.

20 Those with twisted minds are detestable to the Lord,
but those with blameless conduct are his delight.

21 Be assured that a wicked person
will not go unpunished,
but the offspring of the righteous will escape.

22 A beautiful woman who rejects good sense
is like a gold ring in a pig’s snout.

23 The desire of the righteous turns out well,
but the hope of the wicked leads to wrath.

24 One person gives freely,
yet gains more;
another withholds what is right,
only to become poor.

25 A generous person will be enriched,
and the one who gives a drink of water
will receive water.

26 People will curse anyone who hoards grain,
but a blessing will come to the one who sells it.

27 The one who searches for what is good seeks favor,
but if someone looks for trouble, it will come to him.

28 Anyone trusting in his riches will fall,
but the righteous will flourish like foliage.

29 The one who brings ruin on his household
will inherit the wind,
and a fool will be a slave
to someone whose heart is wise.

30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life,
and a wise person captivates people.

31 If the righteous will be repaid on earth,
how much more the wicked and sinful.

Sources:

Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Pr 11:17–31). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.

Barry, J. D., Mangum, D., Brown, D. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Ritzema, E., … Bomar, D. (2012, 2016). Faithlife Study Bible (Pr 11:16). Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.

Buzzell, S. S. (1985). Proverbs. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 1, p. 929). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.