The West Side church of Christ

“If the righteous will be rewarded in the earth, How much more the wicked and the sinner!” (Proverbs 11:31 NASU). The translation of the NASU can be confusing in this verse. The word “rewarded” may be more accurately translated “recompensed.” The idea is they are going to get what is just / due to them. [...]

“The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, And he who is wise wins souls” (Proverbs 11:30 NASU). This is in sharp contrast to the one who troubles his house (cf. Proverbs 11:29). The first part of this proverb seems to be referring to physical blessings. The righteous provide a source of meaningful [...]

“He who troubles his own house will inherit wind, and the foolish will be servant to the wisehearted” (Proverbs 11:29 NASU). If we act foolishly we could end up losing everything dear to us. The trouble you bring to your family might end up destroying your family (financial, emotionally, etc). or it could end up [...]

“He who trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like the green leaf” (Proverbs 11:28 NASU). It seems that wealth will bring us everything we want: security, comfort, entertainment. It seems that money is the solution to our problems and if we just had more all of our worries would fade [...]

“He who diligently seeks good seeks favor. But he who seeks evil, evil will come to him” (Proverbs 11:27 NASU). What motivates you in life? If you have pure and unselfish motivations, you will do good and find the favor and esteem of others. Those who are motivated by selfishness, however, will find trouble and [...]

“He who withholds grain, the people will curse him, But blessing will be on the head of him who sells it” (Proverbs 11:26 NASU). In the business world, those who do not sell their excesses create a need in others that increases prices and lowers living conditions. If we have something beneficial for others we [...]

“The generous man will be prosperous, And he who waters will himself be watered” (Proverbs 11:25 NASU). Another reminder that we will reap what we sow (cf. Galatians 6:7). Those who are generous will find themselves with loyal friends while those who are miserly and do not give to others will create strife.

“There is one who scatters, and yet increases all the more, And there is one who withholds what is justly due, and yet it results only in want” (Proverbs 11:24 NASU). You would think the way to get ahead would be to hold all your money to yourself, but this is usually not the case. [...]

“The desire of the righteous is only good, But the expectation of the wicked is wrath” (Proverb 11:23 NASU). Our goal should be to pursue godliness and righteousness to the point we only care about what is good. Paul tells us to dwell and think on whatever is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, or good [...]

“As a ring of gold in a swine’s snout So is a beautiful woman who lacks discretion” (Proverbs 11:22 NASU). It doesn’t matter how you dress up a pig, a pig is still a pig. Often people spend a great deal of time making themselves look good to the eye. We try dieting, exercising, [...]