Read Proverbs 6:1–11
Questions from the Scripture text: How does Proverbs 6:1 address us? What is the concern that we might become? What has happened if we become the surety for either neighbor or stranger (Proverbs 6:2)? And what if we do this anyway (Proverbs 6:3)? How urgently (Proverbs 6:4-5)? Whom does the Scripture muster as a role model in Proverbs 6:6? What does it not need (Proverbs 6:7)? But what does it do (Proverbs 6:8)? How urgently? And yet, what is man tempted to do (Proverbs 6:9)? How much of it (Proverbs 6:10) can cause what intensity of harm (Proverbs 6:11)?
What’s the big deal with financial folly? Proverbs 6:1–11 looks forward to the sermon in this week’s midweek meeting. In these eleven verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that financial folly must be urgently avoided as something that can destroy a man.
Again, the Scripture addresses the reader, “my son.” We need to be instructed as children. How we need humility! The first five chapters have given much instruction, but more than that, they have urged upon us our need of being instructed in the first place. But this necessary and useful humbling comes with the affection of the possessive pronoun, “my.”
There are two things that we fall into easily, and so must resist urgently: becoming surety for someone else (Proverbs 6:1-5) and laziness (Proverbs 6:6-11). When someone needs to borrow and has nothing of his own to put on the line, putting yourself or your property on the line for them is not neighborly or kind but a trap (Proverbs 6:2-3b) from which we need deliverance (Proverbs 6:5).
This deliverance is so urgent that we should be willing to humble ourselves (Proverbs 6:3c–d) and put extraordinary, sleepless effort into it (Proverbs 6:4). When we’re considering it as a hypothetical during Bible study, it is easier to take this view. But, when someone in need is urging or pleading, we may be tempted to think that Proverbs 6:3-5 are a bit of an exaggeration. This is why we must humble ourselves and determine in advance to take the biblical view of things.
Similarly, we must have the humility to take the warning about laziness just as seriously. It doesn’t get more humbling than to be unfavorably compared to an insect (Proverbs 6:6)! The ant needs no commander (Proverbs 6:7) to keep it disciplined. The most important discipline is self-discipline. And how important is that discipline! Just a little bit of laziness (Proverbs 6:10), and a man can suddenly find himself bankrupt and bound (Proverbs 6:11). Whether becoming surety for another, or letting laziness creep in, financial folly traps and binds a man.
Property is an assignment from the Lord, to be enjoyed as from Him and employed as for Him. It is a weakness of our sinful condition that we are prone to disregard it. But true wisdom is to fear the Lord, which means knowing that He is not just the purpose of our property but of our time and our very selves.
What foolish things are you tempted to do with money to appease foolish people? When are you tempted to be a “little” lazy? How does your belonging to God appear in your usage of time? And how, in your usage of wealth?
Sample prayer: Lord, thank You for creating us for Yourself, and for giving us possessions by which to enjoy belonging to You and to glorify You. Grant that we would have the humility to take stewardship as seriously as Your Word teaches. For the sake of Him Who was rich but became poor for our sakes, supply all our needs according to Your riches in glory, we ask in His Name, AMEN!
Suggested songs: ARP24“The Earth and the Riches” or TPH538 “Take My Life, and Let It Be”
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