Proverbs 19

Order a Free Bible Here from - Bibles4Free.com - a - USBibleSociety.com - Ministry

Dave Burnette's Commentary

Proverbs Chapter 19

Written By: God through Inspiration

Penned By: Solomon, Agur, and Lemuel

Date Penned: (970-931 BC)

Overview: Wisdom to Teach People to Live Godly (c 1-31)

Theme: Wisdom for All People (c 10-24)

Message: Seeking Wisdom (v 1-28)

Proverbs 19 Commentary

(19:1) The Value of Honesty - Honesty is far more valuable than wealth, but most people don't act as if they believe this. Afraid of not getting everything they want, they will pay any price to increase their wealth--cheating on their taxes, stealing from stores or employers, withholding tithes, refusing to give. But when we know and love God, we realize that a lower standard of living -or even poverty--is a small price to pay for personal integrity. Do your actions show that you sacrifice your integrity to increase your wealth? What changes do you need to make in order to get your priorities straight?

(19:2) Understanding - We often move hastily through life, rushing headlong into the unknown. Many people marry without really knowing what to expect of their partner or of married life. Others try illicit sex or drugs without considering the consequences. Some plunge into jobs without evaluating whether they are suitable for the line of work. Enthusiasm is useless without knowledge. Don't rush into the unknown. Be sure you understand what you're getting into and where you're going before you take the first step. No one knows everything the future holds, but take time to ask the right questions, and in whatever you do, be sure you are following God.

(19:8) Seeking Wisdom - Is it good to love yourself? Yes, when your soul is at stake! This proverb does not affirm self-centered people who love and protect their own selfish interests above all else. Instead, it encourages people to treat themselves well by seeking wisdom, which is anything but self-serving.

(19:16) Obeying God - The commandments we are told to obey are those found in God's Word, such as the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20) and other passages of instruction. To obey what God teaches in the Bible is life-giving. To disobey him destroys life.

(19:17) Value Others - Here God identifies with those who are poor, as Jesus does in Matthew 25:31-46. As our creator, God values all of us, whether we are poor or rich. When we help people who are poor, we honor both the Creator and his creation. God accepts our help as if we are offering it directly to him.

(19:23) Trust and Fear the Lord - Those who trust and fear the Lord are protected from harm because of their healthy habits and life choices, and sometimes through God's direct intervention. Nevertheless, the fear of the Lord does not always protect us from trouble in this life: Evil things still happen to people who love God. This verse is not a universal promise but a general guideline. It describes what would happen if this world were sinless, and what will happen in the new earth, when faithful believers will be under God's protection forever. (See the note on 3:16-17 for more about this concept.)

(19:25) Criticism - There is a great difference between a person who learns from criticism and a person who refuses to accept correction. How we respond to criticism determines whether we grow in wisdom. The next time someone criticizes vou. listen carefully to all that is said. You might learn something.

Dave Burnette's Life Application

Wisdom on Finances

Each day we walk through the Bible chapter by chapter making an application of our text to help us grow in the Lord. Many applications can be made from each day's text. Today, we continue with the Book of Proverbs with Chapter 19. In our text today, we continue in Wisdom, focusing on money and how we respond to it. In making an application, we see that money is just a means of exchange, but the Bible tells us that the love of money is the root of all evil. I have been blessed - and been in need - and can testify that the Lord is with you every step of the way. Putting God first will keep your heart in balance and allow you to see the true purpose of money. How about you? Do you love money or see it as a means of exchange? Let us learn from our text today to remember to put God first with our money, understanding that God owns it all and has given us stewardship over many things, so we should be faithful in following the Lord.

Proverbs 19

Previous Chapter | Index | Next Chapter

Proverbs 19

¹Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.

²Also, that the soul be without knowledge, it is not good; and he that hasteth with his feet sinneth.

³The foolishness of man perverteth his way: and his heart fretteth against the LORD.

⁴Wealth maketh many friends; but the poor is separated from his neighbour.

⁵A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape.

⁶Many will intreat the favour of the prince: and every man is a friend to him that giveth gifts.

⁷All the brethren of the poor do hate him: how much more do his friends go far from him? he pursueth them with words, yet they are wanting to him.

⁸He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul: he that keepeth understanding shall find good.

⁹A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall perish.

¹⁰Delight is not seemly for a fool; much less for a servant to have rule over princes.

¹¹The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.

¹²The king's wrath is as the roaring of a lion; but his favour is as dew upon the grass.

¹³A foolish son is the calamity of his father: and the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping.

¹⁴House and riches are the inheritance of fathers: and a prudent wife is from the LORD.

¹⁵Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger.

¹⁶He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his own soul; but he that despiseth his ways shall die.

¹⁷He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.

¹⁸Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying.

¹⁹A man of great wrath shall suffer punishment: for if thou deliver him, yet thou must do it again.

²⁰Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.

²¹There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.

²²The desire of a man is his kindness: and a poor man is better than a liar.

²³The fear of the LORD tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil.

²⁴A slothful man hideth his hand in his bosom, and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.

²⁵Smite a scorner, and the simple will beware: and reprove one that hath understanding, and he will understand knowledge.

²⁶He that wasteth his father, and chaseth away his mother, is a son that causeth shame, and bringeth reproach.

²⁷Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge.

²⁸An ungodly witness scorneth judgment: and the mouth of the wicked devoureth iniquity.

²⁹Judgments are prepared for scorners, and stripes for the back of fools.

Language Translator (Click on Tab to Translate Page)

Scripture Application (Click on Box to View Application)

Bible Search (Search Bible By Word or Verse)

Take Notes on Your Bible Studies (Using our Padlet)

Listen to the Bible (By Talking Bibles)

Try Our Free Daily Devotion Email

For Email Newsletters you can trust