Proverbs
11 reminds me of a song from the early 1970’s, “You’re so vain,
you probably think this song is about you”. Decades of speculation
about the identity of the subject, have only added to its popularity.
Similarly, this proverb repeatedly references, “the
Righteous“, and sadly, there
are people that probably think this one is about them. It begs the
question, “Who are the righteous?”. Many would provide a
Spiritual checklist of what the righteous MUST DO. I know, all that
was needed for God to consider me perfect was DONE on the Cross of
Christ. Galatians 2:21 says emphatically, “if
righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for
nothing!” God gave us
the standards in the law to show us how much we need a Savior.
Instead of having one eye in the mirror, let’s keep both eyes on
Christ. Solomon begins, “The
Lord detests dishonest scales“.
Integrity in business dealings should be the calling card of the
believer. If we are not faithful with the little things, why would
anyone trust us in matters of eternity? Notice the first obstacle in
business, “When
pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes
wisdom“. People are
easily fooled into believing that a big title or income makes them
more important than others. Solomon adds, “Wealth
is worthless in the day of wrath, but
righteousness
delivers from death“.
Expanding to other parts of our life, he includes, “Hopes
placed in mortals die with them“.
I once was quite naive; now I know that our hope entirely depends
on the righteousness of Christ.
Next
he discussed our reputation. “With
their mouths the godless destroy their neighbors“.
This could be translated, ‘those that
pretend
to be religious pollute the neighborhood’. My mom used to say,
“Clean the stuff off your own stoop first”, meaning the self
righteous are quick to point out faults in others, while overlooking
their own. God is into recycling. When we trash everyone around us,
we disregard God’s redemption. I wonder what my neighbors would
say about my God based on what they observe. Listen to the next
line, “When
the righteous prosper, the city rejoices“.
Gratitude always out-gives obligation. Are you giving away the
things God loves?
The
proverb closes with a contrast between inner beauty and outer beauty.
“A
kindhearted woman gains honor, but ruthless men gain only
wealth“.
Solomon is warning us to be careful who you pick for a spouse.
Focusing on being a “pretty pair” misses God’s desire. “Truly
the righteous attain life“.
Where does God look? “The
Lord detests those whose hearts are perverse“.
He paints a vivid picture of folks dressing up for church while
their mind is still in the gutter, “Like
a gold ring in a pig’s snout is a beautiful woman who shows no
discretion“.
In comparison, when the Spirit of God flows through your life people
are lifted up, “whoever
refreshes others will be refreshed“.
The Bible regularly teaches older believers to teach the younger.
One big reason is that we can see the fruit of their life clearly
over time. “The
fruit of the righteous is a tree of life“.
I hope there are no clouds in your coffee about whether the “the
righteous receive their due on earth“.
Do you desire to be righteous? Don’t be vain, “Humble
yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up”
(James 4:10).