November 10, 2008

Today's Reading - Proverbs 10
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Following Scripture Verses

1. The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother.
2. Treasures of wickedness profit nothing: but righteousness delivereth from death.
3. The LORD will not suffer the soul of the righteous to famish: but he casteth away the substance of the wicked.
4. He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.
5. He that gathereth in summer is a wise son: but he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame.
6. Blessings are upon the head of the just: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.
7. The memory of the just is blessed: but the name of the wicked shall rot.
8. The wise in heart will receive commandments: but a prating fool shall fall.
9. He that walketh uprightly walketh surely: but he that perverteth his ways shall be known.
10. He that winketh with the eye causeth sorrow: but a prating fool shall fall.
11. The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.
12. Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.
13. In the lips of him that hath understanding wisdom is found: but a rod is for the back of him that is void of understanding.
14. Wise men lay up knowledge: but the mouth of the foolish is near destruction.
15. The rich man's wealth is his strong city: the destruction of the poor is their poverty.
16. The labour of the righteous tendeth to life: the fruit of the wicked to sin.
17. He is in the way of life that keepeth instruction: but he that refuseth reproof erreth.
18. He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool.
19. In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.
20. The tongue of the just is as choice silver: the heart of the wicked is little worth.
21. The lips of the righteous feed many: but fools die for want of wisdom.
22. The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.
23. It is as sport to a fool to do mischief: but a man of understanding hath wisdom.
24. The fear of the wicked, it shall come upon him: but the desire of the righteous shall be granted.
25. As the whirlwind passeth, so is the wicked no more: but the righteous is an everlasting foundation.
26. As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to them that send him.
27. The fear of the LORD prolongeth days: but the years of the wicked shall be shortened.
28. The hope of the righteous shall be gladness: but the expectation of the wicked shall perish.
29. The way of the LORD is strength to the upright: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.
30. The righteous shall never be removed: but the wicked shall not inhabit the earth.
31. The mouth of the just bringeth forth wisdom: but the froward tongue shall be cut out.
32. The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable: but the mouth of the wicked speaketh frowardness.

Today's Pathway:
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"The lips of the righteous feed many:" - Proverbs 10:21

When we think of a righteous man we tend to focus on the things that he does which make him righteous. While this is valid, today's verse focuses on what the righteous man says. The emphasis is not on what he doesn't say (curse words, blasphemies, etc.), but on what he does say.

The Bible says that the lips of the righteous "feed many." While this verse might be applied to physical food, as in a righteous man will use his words to provide food for his family and others, I do not believe that is the principle. Rather than speaking of lunch and dinner, Solomon is speaking of spiritual food. A righteous man will say righteous things, but he will also use his lips to educate, encourage, and edify those around him.

As a pastor, part of my job is to "feed the flock of God" (I Peter 5:2). However, according to our text, that job does not belong only to me, but to all who are righteous. In fact, if a man is righteous he will be feeding those around him. He may not do it from behind a pulpit. He may not have a title. He may not even have much of an education, but he will feed others because his heart and mind are filled with the Lord and the Word of God will continually come forth from him. He will feed by teaching Biblical principles. He will feed by praising the Lord in all circumstances. He will feed through his prayer life. He will feed by the music that he sings (Col. 3:16). His life will be one of constant teaching through the things that he says.

An unrighteous man has nothing to teach. A man who has something to teach, but refuses to do it is also unrighteous. Who are you teaching, and what are you teaching them?

Pastor Mark J Montgomery