Solomon discusses greed, laziness, and disobedience today. We take a look at how it's possible to twist God's laws in order to satisfy our own greedy cravings.
"Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked ruler over a helpless people. A tyrannical ruler practices extortion, but one who hates ill-gotten gain will enjoy a long reign." (Proverbs 28:15-16) A tyrannical ruler preys on his own people. He harms the ones he should be protecting.
"Anyone tormented by the guilt of murder will seek refuge in the grave; let no one hold them back." (Proverbs 28:17) The king cautions, "Let no one give aid to the murderer who is running from his crimes! Do not harbor a fugitive. He will try to hide from his crimes until the day of his death, but don't be a party to his deception."
"The one whose walk is blameless is kept safe, but the one whose ways are perverse will fall into the pit." (Proverbs 28:18) Most of the troubles the wicked endure are self-inflicted. Their manner of living brings harsh consequences into their lives. But Solomon reminds his people that if they are law-abiding citizens they won't have to fear what the wicked fear. If they obey the laws of the government they will be able to live in peace and go about their business. If they obey the laws of God they will have peace with Him. Their mode of living will naturally allow them to avoid most of the troubles that come into the lives of criminals and the spiritually corrupt.
"Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies will have their fill of poverty. A faithful person will be richly blessed, but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished." (Proverbs 28:19-20) We studied a similar statement in Chapter 12 when Solomon basically warned us to be practical and keep our heads out of the clouds. He is a man who deplores laziness and who admires industriousness. He says, "Go about your work faithfully. Stop getting caught up in get-rich-quick schemes. The chances of those schemes working our for you are slim, but the chances of raising a good harvest are great. Be honest and work hard and the Lord will reward you."
Again Solomon reminds us that it's wrong to show partiality to a person because of their wealth or social standing or political position. "To show partiality is not good---yet a person will do wrong for a piece of bread." (Proverbs 28:21) He says, "Some of you are so easily bribed to do wrong! You don't even hold out for silver or gold; you'd betray your own mother for a piece of bread. Where is your integrity? Where is your sense of right and wrong?"
"The stingy are eager to get rich and are unaware that poverty awaits them." (Proverbs 28:22) God's economy is different than man's economy. Our carnal natures tell us to hoard up for ourselves, but God commands us to be rich toward others. Solomon previously predicted a poor outcome for those who are stingy and greedy, "One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty." (Proverbs 11:24) The author of Psalm 112 agrees, "Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely, who conduct their affairs with justice." (v. 5)
"Whoever rebukes a person will in the end gain favor rather than one who has a flattering tongue." (Proverbs 28:23) Solomon discussed this subject in our study last week, saying, "Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses." Proverbs 27:6) A true friend will be concerned if they see us going wrong, but one who cares nothing for our well-being will flatter us with empty words like these, "You have to follow your heart and it's nobody's business how you live your life. Do what makes you happy! There's nothing wrong with going after what you want."
"Whoever robs their father and mother and says, 'It's not wrong,' is partner to one who destroys." (Proverbs 28:24) The Lord Jesus condemned this hypocritical attitude while speaking to the Pharisees and teachers of the law in Mark 7:9-13. One of the ten commandments orders us to honor our fathers and mothers, yet the religious leaders of Israel had made a loophole law that allowed them to avoid supporting their elderly parents. They could say to their father and mother, "I'm sorry, I would like to give you some money and help you out, but I've promised it to the Lord's work. I've devoted this money to the temple." This was hypocritical because if they were truly doing the Lord's work they would have been obeying His commandment to honor their parents, but they had come up with a way to appear pious while breaking God's laws.
Partial obedience is the same thing as disobedience. Jesus' fellow Israelites were commanded to bring their tithes to the temple and were encouraged to devote other offerings according to their ability, but this did not negate their duty to their families. As the Apostle Paul pointed out in a letter to Timothy, "Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever." (1 Timothy 5:8) The Lord's brother James criticized those who were stingy and hard-hearted toward their relatives and toward those of the family of God, "Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, 'Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,' but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?" (James 2:16)
Solomon, Paul, and James are all warning us not to twist the laws of God to suit our own greedy natures. We can't pick and choose which of God's commandments we are going to keep and which we are going to ignore. Solomon warns us it won't go well with us if we deny compassion to our fellow man, for so many of God's commandments and laws have to do with loving our neighbors as ourselves. The Lord Jesus once said that the entire law and all the sermons of the prophets could be summed up like this: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind...Love your neighbor as yourself." (Matthew 22:37b,39b) If we love God above all else, we will naturally want to obey Him. If we love our neighbors as ourselves, we will naturally want to be good to them. This is a life that honors our God and which adheres to the spirit of all the law and all the commandments.
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