September 15, 2006 - Proverbs 22-24 and II Corinthians 8
It is amazing how people ignore the clear teachings of God's Word. Many of the people who do so say that they believe the Bible to be God's Word, but when it comes to an area that they do not want to obey, they just ignore it. It is obvious that God will not let us get away with that type of behavior, but Satan tells us that God won't care, or he gives us some rationalization for not obeying God's Word.
There are several examples of this in our reading today. It is evident from the Bible that we are to train our children and not to just teach them with words. It is plain that we are to spank our children with the rod and that will help them, not hurt them. It is clear that we are to teach children to honor their parents, not to disrespect them. However, many people ignore these Scriptural admonitions for various reasons.
It is clear that we are not to get drunk with wine and strong drink. (23:29-35) However, people today only drink to get the buzz that it gives. They do not drink it just for the taste or because they do not have clean water. Why don't we listen to the Bible? It is because we want to feel a feeling or to be like other people. Those are not good reasons to ignore the Bible.
Even the teachings about fools and scoffers are very clear. We should do everything we can do to avoid being a foolish person or a scoffer. Also, we are to be careful when we encounter such people. However, there are many people who believe that being a scoffer does accomplish things. They live in a negative mode of life. This is never a productive way of living.
II Corinthians 8 gives us an admonition to give generously. We are to give ourselves to God first and then to give our money to help others. How often people want to ignore this and hoard their money. The problem is that God can't bless that type of attitude. It is His money, and He will take it away if we don't use it the way He wants us to use it. Let's not ignore God's commands. Let's take them seriously and see what He does.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Proverbs 25-26 and II Corinthians 9.
There are several examples of this in our reading today. It is evident from the Bible that we are to train our children and not to just teach them with words. It is plain that we are to spank our children with the rod and that will help them, not hurt them. It is clear that we are to teach children to honor their parents, not to disrespect them. However, many people ignore these Scriptural admonitions for various reasons.
It is clear that we are not to get drunk with wine and strong drink. (23:29-35) However, people today only drink to get the buzz that it gives. They do not drink it just for the taste or because they do not have clean water. Why don't we listen to the Bible? It is because we want to feel a feeling or to be like other people. Those are not good reasons to ignore the Bible.
Even the teachings about fools and scoffers are very clear. We should do everything we can do to avoid being a foolish person or a scoffer. Also, we are to be careful when we encounter such people. However, there are many people who believe that being a scoffer does accomplish things. They live in a negative mode of life. This is never a productive way of living.
II Corinthians 8 gives us an admonition to give generously. We are to give ourselves to God first and then to give our money to help others. How often people want to ignore this and hoard their money. The problem is that God can't bless that type of attitude. It is His money, and He will take it away if we don't use it the way He wants us to use it. Let's not ignore God's commands. Let's take them seriously and see what He does.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Proverbs 25-26 and II Corinthians 9.