Solomon gives life lessons

The Book of Proverbs Chapter 6

Solomon tells his people that if they co-sign for a loan or guarantee the debt of someone they hardly know, to get out of it quickly. Don't put it off and don't rest until you do. He says to take a lesson from the ants and learn from their ways to be wise. The ants have no rulers, but they labor all summer gathering food for the winter. So how long will you sleep, asks Solomon. Wake up and learn this lesson: a little extra sleep, a little more slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest - and poverty will pounce on you like a bandit.

Here Solomon describes worthless and wicked people. They are liars, perverted hearts that plot evil. They stir up trouble constantly, but they will be destroyed suddenly, broken beyond all hope of healing. There are seven things the Lord detests: haughty eyes, lying tongues, hands that kill the innocent, a heart that plots evil, feet that race to do wrong, a false witness who pours out lies, a person who sows discord among brothers.

Solomon warns you to obey your father's commands and don't neglect your mother's teaching. Keep their words in your heart, for these commands and this teaching is a lamp to light the way ahead of you. The correction of discipline is the way of life. These commands and teaching will keep you from the immoral, adulterous woman. Don't let her seduce you, for a prostitute will bring you to poverty and sleeping with another man's wife may cost you your life.

Excuses may be found for a thief who steals because he is starving, but if he is caught he will be fined seven times as much as he stole. But the man who commits adultery is an utter fool, for he destroys his very soul.

BIBLE NOTES SHOW: Co-signing and guaranteeing a debt for someone are Solomon's way of warning you not to overextend your financial resources. It is important to maintain a balance between generosity and stewardship. Proverbs warns us against sleeping in and being lazy instead of working. Young adults should listen to their parents and not reject their advice when it is needed most. Lust is a sign of danger and can draw you into sin.

HOW DOES THIS CHAPTER RELATE TO US TODAY? What happens even today when we commit adultery? It isn't just the couple who may get hurt. Spouses get hurt, children get scarred. Disease is always a threat. Things begin to go wrong and the parties may lose their ability to fulfill commitments, to feel trust again. God's laws do not forbid good, clean fun, but only warns us against destroying ourselves through unwise actions.

Yours in Christ,
Mary

Prayer Requests are needed for:
HEALTH:
Update on my niece Suzanne, she is out of rehab after many months for a crushed leg and doing well and being cared for by her ex. Pray for Gabe and Wanda. Pray for Janice Long’s parents, especially her mother who faces another round of chemotherapy and her father with Alzheimer’s and now her mother in law also with Alzheimer’s. Their family is feeling the strain both emotionally and financially. Pray for them. Update on this family: Her mother-in-law is being taken to Oklahoma to live with an aunt who will care for her.
Pray for Arlene’s nephew David and for my neighbor Al who is nearing the end of his life.
Pray for Carolyn’s brother Ronald who has cancer.
Pray for our friend Michelle who was diagnosed with MS.
UPDATE on Barb who went in for back surgery and had a heart attack and stroke, she has her speech back and is home , but continues to have a problem with one arm and hand. Thanks to your prayers, she is able to hobble without a cane and has been granted disability. She still has surgery scheduled on her hand, but I saw her recently and her attitude is fantastic.
Pray for Robert Sargent who is quite ill with lung cancer.
Pray for Judy’s husband who was recently diagnosed with prostate cancer. Pray for her too, that she can deal with the side effects of his illness.
Pray too for Charly’s husband Robert who is undergoing chemo for his prostate cancer. Update on Robert: he has one more treatment and then three months of waiting for his psat test to come back clean.
Pray for John’s recovery from a heart attack and for the doctors who have difficulty diagnosing his other symptoms.
Pray for James’s sister Cynthia whose chemo has lost its effect as the cancer grows powerful.
Pray for another friend named Carolyn whose faith remains strong, but is lost and confused about where and how to spend her elder years.
SPIRITUAL UPLIFTING: Gail, Mary
RESTORATION OF FAITH: Al, John
LOVE AND SUPPORT: Claire, Hunter, Brian
SUPPORT: Haiti, Chile, survivors of Japan’s earthquake, survivors of the devastating tornadoes in our southernmost states and Joplin, Missouri. Pray too, for our country’s leaders and our military people who die each day for our freedom.