Jesus said that our attitude towards our money shows a lot about our hearts (Luke 6:1). This part of Proverbs shows us what it looks like to have wisdom in a particular aspect of our financial dealings.
Economic collapse
Read Proverbs 6:1
• How does Solomon describe his son’s plight (v 1-2)?
It looks as though the son has agreed to guarantee a loan to a friend. If the person is unwilling or unable to repay the debt, the son will be liable for the full amount. The father sees the danger that the son has put himself in: the debtor now has
little incentive to pay back the loan, and the son faces financial ruin. All of his work, savings, and inheritance could be lost overnight.
• What course of action does the father advise (v 4)?
• What character qualities will be required if the son is going to fix the situation (v 3-4)?
The love of money
Our first instinct is to pity the young man. He comes off seeming naïve, like a big-hearted rube. But it’s more likely that he was motivated by greed. In that culture, it was common to receive a fee for guaranteeing a loan. So it was a way of making a quick buck.
And so the warning here is really about gambling and speculation. It’s a warning against the folly of get-rich-quick schemes.
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TIME OUT
Four reasons from Proverbs that get-richquick-schemes are not wise:
*They don’t work (Proverbs 13:11).
*They’re no replacement for hard work (Proverbs 14:23).
*We’re stewards of every penny. We don’t have any money that ultimately belongs to us with which to gamble (Psalms 24:1).
*Greed damages relationships (Proverbs 28:25).
Read2 Corinthians 8:1.
• How does understanding God’s grace towards us free us from a controlling love of money?
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APPLY
Jesus said: “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Luke 12 v 34).
• What does your attitude to money reveal about your heart?
• Is there anything you need to be humble about when it comes to using your finances? Is there anything you need to change?
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This devotional is taken from Explore—a daily Bible-reading devotional from the good book company which enables you to engage with Scripture and which will encourage, equip and inspire you to live for Christ. Explore features contributions from pastors such as Dr Timothy Keller, Mike McKinley and Tim Chester.
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