May 12, 2020

Character of Heart #

Proverbs 19

As we continue to look at our influence in this world, it is important to remember and think about these things. These proverbs have many different ways to look at them. As I have categorized them, we are only looking at one category they fit into.

I. Place – Pro 19:10 #

Prov. 19:10 ¶ Delight is not seemly for a fool; much less for a servant to have rule over princes.

A. Delight is not seemly for a fool #

1. Delight is “A high degree of pleasure, or satisfaction of mind; joy.” - Webster’s 1828 #

- - 2. My enjoyment, building, fixing, finishing #

Passing out tracts – satisfying!

3. “not seemly” #

- - 4. A man that has worked hard all his life, and retire… that would be expected… a fool, no. #

Suited to the occasion, a fool rejoices in mischief, lies, deception, slander, injury, hurt, laziness… This is the realm that the fool deals in, and it doesn’t bring true satisfaction

Prov. 10:23 ¶ It is as sport to a fool to do mischief: …

B. A servant to have rule over princes #

1. Just as it is not fitting, or appropriate for a fool to have true joy, and satisfaction, neither is it appropriate for a servant to rule over princes. #

C. Influence... #

1. Remember our place #

It is often very easy to criticize those in a position of authority, and responsibility.
As a subject, you do have influence, not authority.

2. Respect authority #

God set in order authority and command.
God established the home, gov, and church.

II. Giving – Pro 19:17 #

Prov. 19:17 ¶ He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.

A. Pity upon the poor #

1. Pity – sympathy, compassion, fellow-suffering #

Why is it that people always talk poorly about poor people.
I think it gives them a sense of superiority….
They are an easy target…

2. Having pity, is out of a good heart! #

1Cor. 13:3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

3. having pity, is like lending to the LORD! #

Giving to the poor.
By and large Americans are very giving people, and I think God has blessed America.

B. Lendeth unto the LORD #

1. Giving… is investing in God’s bank with good returns #

Luke 6:38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

Giving is an attitude of the heart!
We have a very generous church, and I believe God blesses that!

C. He pay him again. #

God takes notes, He knows! - no need to publicize

III. Sincerity - Pro 19:22 #

Kindness in poverty is better than wealth and a liar.

Prov. 19:22 ¶ The desire of a man is his kindness: and a poor man is better than a liar.

A. Honesty - #

1. When a person is sincere and expresses their true desire… sincerity. #

2. People are not always truthful, or sincere… as christians, we should be truthful and sincere. #

B. Saul, was deceitful with David. #

1. Dishonesty, lying is of the devil! #

John 8:44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

2. You would be better off, to be poor, and be honest. #

That doesn’t mean you need to say everything that comes to mind… Proverbs talks about keeping your tongue too!