Proverbs 17 by Doug
September 2009
NIV Translation
Proverbs 17:1 →When looking at work and financial greatness, consider this verse. Which are you pursuing? The peace and quiet or the strife? Strife isn't necessitated by wealth, nor peace by lack of it, but weigh more than the coin. Weigh the consequences.
Proverbs 17:2 →Blood may be thicker than water, but stupid and disgraceful will still wipe it away.
Proverbs 17:3 →Again, God knows what's in your heart, what drives you to do that which you do. Your life tests you and reveals you to Him. And it purifies out the dross, just as the crucible for metals.
Proverbs 17:4 →Who advises you? Who do you listen to? Do you take your information from malicious people? What does it say about you?
Proverbs 17:5 →Mocking the poor is an unacceptable habit many of us have. Some are poor from bad choices, but some are poor from disaster. Either way, they, like all people, are made by God and thus are worth what He paid for them, just like you are.
Proverbs 17:9 →Carry this in tension with not covering up sin that needs corrected. Consider it in relation to when someone either misspeaks or when there is an issue between 2 people and they resolve it. There's no need for it to go farther. Really, there's not. Why not? Because then it starts to divide friends. Does person C need to know A & B fought and made up? Why?
Proverbs 17:14 →Connect this back up to Proverbs 17:9. Are you starting an unnecessary quarrel? With Adrian Rogers I will say there can be no peace without truth, but what can you let go? What is really about truth and what's about preference?
Proverbs 17:16 →What? There is no need for money if you won't use it to get wisdom or do wisely? Hmmm....
Proverbs 17:17 → “A brother is born for adversity” As in brothers cause it? Or are helpful in it?
Proverbs 17:20 →You think this is false because of some of the prosperous people you know? Yet, “What profit a man if he gain the whole world and lose his soul?” (Jesus, Matthew 16:26)
Proverbs 17:22 →We are bad to crush people's spirits. Let's not do that. It dries up the bones, it makes people physically ill. And it's really not nice or necessary.
Proverbs 17:24 →Keep your mind as best you can on where you are and what you are doing, growing and using the wisdom God has given you.
Proverbs 17:26 →Innocence and integrity are what matters here. Not just the old “I was following orders” defense, but true innocence and integrity. Why would a king flog officials with integrity? Perhaps for pushing against the king's bad plans or ideas? Do we ever do that?
Proverbs 17:28 →Sometimes, keep your mouth shut!
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