1. Living in God’s Providence
We should run our lives as a successful person runs a business: one organises everything so that a product is produced,
God has not left us short of wisdom for achieving meaningful success in life. The book of Proverbs is rich in wise instruction. So is the rest of the Bible, but we shall limit ourselves, in this lesson, to a few pertinent sayings in
The principles here will not surprise you. They are common knowledge. What is surprising, is that few people
Prov 21:31 "The horse is prepared for the day of battle, But victory
The soldier prepares carefully to the best of his endeavour. But when he goes to battle, he goes with God, and God gives the victory. We must do our best to plan and prepare. But at the crunch, after we have done all in our power, we
Prov 27:1 says, "Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what
James quotes and applies that proverb, telling us that we ought to say, "If the Lord wills we will do this or that"
Prov 20:14 "Bad! Bad! says the buyer, but when he goes his way, then he boasts".
In the market place a buyer has pretended to think one thing, and to his friends he boasts how his deception gained him a bargain. This describes a common approach to life. People cheat each other all the time with their ploys and pretenses, but they are not wise. Truthfulness brings
Prov 24:13 "My son, eat honey, for it is good."
I have heard of a man who read this proverb, and so he gormandised on honey. Consequently, he became quite sick. He complained to a preacher of my acquaintance, that the Bible proved to be wrong. But the
Prov 25:16 "Have you found honey? Eat only what you need to lest you have it
All things in moderation according to need! Lately there is much ado about the rape of planet earth, but there is ample for everybody if everybody just practices moderation and takes only what is needed. There’s more than enough for need. there’s not enough for greed. By all means work hard, make money,
Prov 23:4-5 "Do not weary yourself
If I may speak bluntly, the sixteen hours a day seven days a week money chasers are
Prov 24:27 "Prepare your work outside, and make it ready for yourself in the field; afterwards,
Some people want everything now, and won't gain one thing at a time, taking first things first. One who buys a farm, first sets the land in order and provides for income. He does not, if he is wise, build his six bedroom homestead first; he waits till his fields are producing the funds
Prov 28:19-20 "He who tills his land will have plenty... but he who follows empty pursuits
People tend to live in bursts, in fits and starts, from crisis to crisis or from whim to whim. Steadiness and regular application may not be as exciting as jetset ways. Lurching through life is foolish. Work steady,
Prov 27:23-27 "Know well the condition of your flocks, and pay attention to your herds... And you'll have goat's milk
Be a caretaker and accountant of your blessings, and they will sustain you. Many people don't take stock, but just muddle through life. They have no records to judge the past, and no means of plotting their course. A little reckoning now and then will stop you having seven years of plenty and seven years of famine, so to speak. Many a crisis is avoided by taking stock and keeping track. This is as much true of moral and spiritual things as
Prov 28:27 "He who gives to the poor will never want, but he who shuts his eyes will
The wise will always keep in store something to share with those in need, and open their eyes
Add these simple proverbs and principles to the principles by which you live. They will help you to be more effective in this life, and to
