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Proverbs 28 (ESV)

 ⁶ Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity
than a rich man who is crooked in his ways.
⁷ The one who keeps the law is a son with understanding,
but a companion of gluttons shames his father.
⁸ Whoever multiplies his wealth by interest and profit
gathers it for him who is generous to the poor.
⁹ If one turns away his ear from hearing the law,
even his prayer is an abomination.
¹⁰ Whoever misleads the upright into an evil way
will fall into his own pit,
but the blameless will have a goodly inheritance…

18 Whoever walks in integrity will be delivered,
but he who is crooked in his ways will suddenly fall.
¹⁹ Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread,
but he who follows worthless pursuits will have plenty of poverty.
²⁰ A faithful man will abound with blessings,
but whoever hastens to be rich will not go unpunished.

REFLECTION:

These few proverb verses teach us what the real poverty and abundance, ignorance and wisdom are. Only those who walk in integrity, obey God’s laws and regulations, and pray to God often, are “blameless” (v10) with true abundance and wisdom. This does not mean that we have to be cautious in everything and sinless. In fact, no one can do this. It is that we should not be far away from God at any time, and even if we fall, we are willing to repent immediately and be willing to return to God’s embrace. If we sin again immediately after praying, God will not answer such prayers, but as long as we are willing to abandon our sins and believe in God, no matter how serious the sins we have committed, He is willing to listen. The reason that kept Him from listening to our prayers was not the depth of our sins, but the intention to sin again. A truly “blameless” person is one like David who is willing to repent no matter how great a sin one has committed. The person is abundant and wise in life, after God’s own heart.

PRAYER:

Pray for God to give you true abundance and wisdom, to act with integrity in everything, without deceit in your heart. Pray for God to make you a blameless person, and if you commit a sin and fall, be willing to have a sincere and contrite heart and ask God for forgiveness. You will be blessed by God.

HYMN:

Give Me Jesus – youtu.be/9rZ8k9m2hwo