Thoughts on Proverbs 6:1-19
Prevention is better than cure. So, as much as you can, don’t get yourself into financial debt.
What would make someone cosign a loan for a stranger? What would make someone make guarantees that would eventually ensnare them?
Haughtiness, and pride, maybe. Thinking big of himself and wanting to gain a reputation for being rich. It could also be because he was tricked or scammed by people with ill intent. Whatever the case, his financial literacy (managing of one’s finances) is not good. The parable of the prodigal* son comes to mind.
Sadly, many men have fallen into this trap. Proverbs 6 gives instructions on how to get out of it.
Basically? Do. Whatever. It. Takes.
First on the agenda: Get your lazy *** out of bed, out of the couch, out of that comfy chair. If I were to apply this to our day and age, I would add get out of social media, out of games, out of TV or Movies.
If we’re honest with ourselves, we know the things and activities we can – and should – give up.
“A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man.”
Proverbs 6:10-11 ESV
I know these verses, but didn’t notice until now that it’s after a passage on debt, and directed to a “sluggard”. Under normal circumstances and for those who do good work, this is still a great mindset to have, but one that can be easily abused. These two verses can be used as justification by workaholic Christians. Don’t overdo it.
“A worthless person, a wicked man, goes about with crooked speech, winks with his eyes, signals with his feet, points with his finger, with perverted heart devises evil, continually sowing discord;”
Proverbs 6:12-14 ESV
Some might be tempted with “get out of debt quick” or other “get rich quick” schemes. This is usually at the expense of others. Don’t do it, it will not end well. Proverbs says that the outcome for this is to be “broken beyond healing”.
It’s not often we get to know specifically what God hates, but Proverbs lists it up for us:
- haugthy eyes
- lying tongues
- hands that shed innocent blood
- heart that devises wicked plans
- feet quick to run to evil
- bearing false witness
- sowing discord among brothers
Truly, the want of money (and the power that comes with it) makes men do detestable things.
To save us from falling on this trap, we need to make sure we are wholly devoted to God our Master.
(*Confession, I didn’t know what “prodigal” means until today)