Proverbs 27

Written on 05/09/2024

Verse 1

  • Boasting about tomorrow means trusting in your own plans rather than trusting in the will/plans of God (James 4:13-16). If you rely on and talk about your own plans overconfidently, this is sin.

    • Remember that God has power to fulfill or to frustrate any plan of yours. Trust and be happier about His plans, not your own.

 

Verse 2

  • It is prideful to praise yourself or speak highly of your own achievements. It's ok to let others praise and/or compliment you. Just don't praise yourself.

    • If you will talk about your own life, focus your words on praising God for His work in you, not your own work (1 Corinthians 1:31, 15:10).

 

Verses 5-6 (Proverbs 28:23)

  • When a person is openly rebuked, it's still better than affection that's hidden. Love that isn't shown doesn't have much value. 

    • So, letting people know what they must know, even if it's harsh, is always best. 

  • If you need to tell someone something, say it even if it's harsh. Just do it in love, as a friend.

    • Verse 6a. In the end, if you're open and honest with people about difficult things, this proves you to be a more faithful friend (and you'll be appreciated more!) than a person who has more affection than you, but keeps it private.

  • Verse 6b. Pain inflicted from a faithful friend is better than affection from someone who is unfaithful. Remember that having a loyal, trustworthy, and truthful person in your life is far better than an unfaithful but affectionate person. Choose your friends wisely!

 

Verse 7

  • Be thankful for what you have, and this will make you appreciate life more. 

  • If you received everything you wanted, you wouldn't be thankful for what you now have. 

    • Value times when you don't receive what you might want. These times help teach you to stay thankful.

  • People who have everything—wealthy people—will have a harder time appreciating what they have, since it is so easy for them to get what they want.

    • So, whether you are poor or rich—whether you have little or much—make sure that you stay thankful. Don't let wealth cause you to lose appreciation for God's goodness.

 

Verse 10

  • Family are not the only ones able to help you. Don't rely on blood relatives just because they are blood relatives, and don't despise them if they do not help you. Why?

    • It is a better, more expedient choice at times for nearby friends to help you rather than family that's further away. Look to friends around you also.

    • And as family yourself, recommend that someone look to their friends for help if they have friends who would be able to help them faster or more effectively. This would be a better use of time and resources.

  • Don't feel like an inconvenience for looking to friends rather than family. Namely, as believers, we are all responsible for one another.

    • We should be, to our fellow believers, friends that stick closer than biological family (Proverbs 17:17). 

 

Verse 12

  • Be prepared financially, physically, and mentally for hardships that may or may not come in the future. This is the wise thing to do.

    • Prioritize building up your savings, be physically fit, and keep your mind sharp with the Word and prayer!

    • It is foolish to live without being prepared for troubles that may come. If you are not prepared, you will suffer for it. 

 

Verse 14

  • Even compliments and good deeds, if they are brought excessively, become irritating. Remember that too much of a good thing can become bad.

    • Be tasteful when you compliment or give gifts. Do these things to refresh people and bring them joy when you feel that it's important for their wellbeing.

 

Verses 15-16

  • Remember that you cannot restrain an argumentative spouse with force or frustration. This will be wasted effort. Be gentle and kind!

 

Verse 18

  • If you love and take care of the people around you, their health and wellbeing will be good for your own in times to come. 

    • Take care of a tree, and it will give you fruit. Take care of your people, and they will be refreshing to you!

 

Verse 20

  • Remember that just like Hell is always looking for more people to be condemned there (Proverbs 30:15-16), the sinful nature that is influenced by Hell (James 3:6) is never satisfied with sin; it will always crave more. 

    • Don't think you will be able to stop sin from going further, once you start. Your flesh will always crave greater sin. Don't start if you don't want to increase temptation! 

 

Verse 21

  • Just like fire reveals the quality of metal, what people say about you reveals something about the kind of person you are.

    • And your presence will only be valued by others if you have a good reputation. 

      • Remember this, and think of how you can change your ways if you notice that a lot of people seem to agree on the same negative things about you. 

 

Verses 23-26

  • It's important to keep a close eye on your dollars and bank accounts, but your relationships and commodities—things that will keep their value—are more important in the long run. When dollars fail, people and precious resources will take care of you.

    • Financially speaking, it is a great idea to own things that will retain value no matter the condition that the world is in: land, animals, precious metals, etc. 

    • Relationally speaking, build deep and trusted relationships with fellow believers.