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Proverbs 13 (ESV)

4 The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing,
while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied…

11 Wealth gained hastily will dwindle,
but whoever gathers little by little will increase it…

22 A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children,
but the sinner’s wealth is laid up for the righteous.
²³ The fallow ground of the poor would yield much food,
but it is swept away through injustice.
²⁴ Whoever spares the rod hates his son,
but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him.
²⁵ The righteous has enough to satisfy his appetite,
but the belly of the wicked suffers want.

 

REFLECTION:

1. This passage again admonishes the great difference between laziness and hard work, sinners and righteous people. Lazy sinners try to get something for nothing, and the wealth they have obtained by fraud will eventually be completely wiped out under God’s righteous judgment. Only by diligence and integrity, and obeying God’s words, can we be prosperous in the long run. Not only will we accumulate treasures in heaven, God will also provide abundant supplies for everything needed on earth. In this world full of sin and injustice, the poor and the righteous are often hurt by the sinners and the wicked. As children of God, we should be hardworking and upright, and we should also bravely oppose all injustice. Our struggle may not help for the time being, but God is pleased with us to do this, and God’s justice will eventually prevail, and God will redress for all those who are oppressed.

 

2. It is not easy for parents who love their children to discipline their children, but it is indispensable. The greatest responsibility God has given to parents is to nurture and guide their children. Parents who lack discipline for their children will also have their love greatly compromised because they do not pay attention to the cultivation of their children’s virtues. Disciplining children can protect them from disasters in the future. Children who lack discipline can’t tell right from wrong when they grow up, and don’t know what to do with their own life direction. This passage reminds us not to be afraid to discipline your children. This is an act of love. But remember, your punishment is not to make your children obey your authority, but to lead them to fear God and seek God’s wisdom.

 

PRAYER:

Pray for God to give you a hardworking, upright, and courageous heart. You can work diligently on everything you do with your hands; when experiencing injustice, you will not fear the power and redress the injustice for the oppressed and the poor, and seek God’s justice; ask God to make you wise to not spoil your children while loving them, and understand that disciplining your children and making them obey God’s words is the best love for them.

 

HYMN:

 

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