Today I read Proverbs 13 which talks about the righteous and transgressors. Today I considered that we should plan for the future, words can impact our lives and its not wise to try to keep up with the Joneses.
The Righteous
The righteous respect God’s commandments, work hard, and plan for the future. They are rewarded for respecting God and doing good, their work results in plenty, and they leave a legacy for their children. We should consider doing more than living for today by planning for the future as God shows us that is a good thing to do.
Transgressors
Transgressors hate the word, talk too much, and live with lack. They are destroyed for hating God’s word, their own words cause destruction, and they consume violence living in want. Transgressors lives are hard. We should consider that our words can truly impact our lives.
Questions and Thoughts for Today
When considering the way people live their lives, Proverbs 13:7 reminds me of the old saying of “keeping up with the Joneses.” It is not wise to try to have the same wealth status as your neighbor or others because it can lead to you actually becoming poor. I have put three versions of Proverbs 13:7 below.
What does Proverbs 13:7 mean to you?
“One pretends to be rich, yet has nothing; another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth.” Proverbs 13:7 ESV
“One person pretends to be rich, yet has nothing; another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth.” Proverbs 13:7 NIV
“There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches.” Proverbs 13:7 KJV