The book of Proverbs is a guide for pursuing godly wisdom in our daily lives. In this four-week study, we will read a selection of topical proverbs covering different aspects of wisdom, from how to interact with our friends, families, and neighbors, to fearing God and keeping His commands. No matter the subject, these proverbs urge us to wrestle with and reflect on our own response to them. To help you better engage with the proverbs in this reading plan, we have provided you with a short introduction and reflection questions for each day.
Gluttony and generosity are opposites: one involves self-motivated overconsumption, while the other focuses on selfless and sacrificial giving. One makes us sick; one makes others well. The true problem with gluttony is not about how much we consume. It has to do with our ability to practice self-control, an essential component of generosity. Generosity is always an exercise in self-control because it requires us to give when our instinct is to keep. Consider how these proverbs link gluttony and generosity together and let their wisdom hold up a mirror for you.
Reflection Questions:
Think of a time you withheld, knowing you should have been generous. Why did you withhold your generosity?
What appetites have a hold on your heart? How does gluttony contradict generosity?
What sort of poverty do you think is being described in Proverbs 23:19–21?
This was exactly my answer. I’m very selfish with my time.
I feel the Lord showing me that these verses about being generous isn’t just referring to our material resources. I believe they also refer to our time and talents. Sometimes those resources can be harder to give up. I know that my daughter is showing me how to be more generous with those resources.
I am doing an end of year fast with my church and I usually will over indulge when it comes time to break and that behaviour has spilt over to my finances to the point that I am in lack. I found a teaching on the Lord’s prayer when they broke down why scripture says give us this day our daily bread. Thinking about what God gives us what we need on a daily for us to be content with that and trust that more will come and even if it doesn’t God has a plan he will never leave us
Recently in my life, I have had a chance to withhold good from someone who I think did not deserve my help. In my mind, I think she was a fair weather friend, who likes to take things and never truly is concerned about other people, and in my thoughts I assume she was like one of the foolish virgins who is around to ask others to share their oil, again and again, who enjoys the benefits of a loving community but does not want to work hard to get the oil herself. I asked God should I say no to her in this case? Should I just say I am busy? This is just a personal experience and the Lord will give wisdom for case by case on how to say or act. But in this particular case, the Lord chastised me and He wanted me to be like Jesus to this person, to continue to give and help her, and not to judge the situation by my limited understanding. He is the One who judges that she deserves my help, and He is the one who judges that I am the helper in this case (though I felt used by this person). Feelings could be deceiving I learnt. So I decided to humble myself, and obeyed and helped the best that I could (with some resentment in my heart). Fast forwarding, God has rewarded me generously for what I did, and He helped me to clear the bitterness and resentment that I asked Him to remove for me- just like this verse in Proverbs we read today that God will repay you for what you have given to others.
I am not saying in all cases we will allow people to walk over us, to take our time, efforts because people can pretend very well they need help (like the 5 foolish virgins parable in Matthew 25), but seeking God in each scenario, He will lead you and He will shed light to every hidden things and teach us the way to go. Praise God. He is the God of All Wisdom, and sees all things. Bless you sisters.
Praying for you Grace and the wisdom God will lead you to the right decision. My condolences to your loss.
Praying for Gina and your husband. May the Lord give you strength, grace, comfort and rest during this time. May He restore and heal what was lost and broken in your relationship. God is the God of possibilities, He created a human’s heart and He for sure can change a stony heart back to him.
That was in reply to Searching.
So so true. Thank you for your post.
praying for you Grace!