Proverbs 20 - Integrity

July 8, 2020

Integrity #

Introduction

Prov. 20:11 ¶ Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.

We are known by our actions…

Integrity is a very important characteristic that every christian should work on in their life. It is obtained by allowing God to have control of our life. We are born liars, manipulators, who try to get our way…

Matt. 16:24 ¶ Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

We need to learn to crucify the fleshly desires that we ALL have! No one is exempt from these problems! Because they are part of our fleshly, wicked sin nature.

Serve God with integrity, and if you achieve no success, at least no sin will lie upon your conscience. - Spurgeon

There is more honour in being defeated in the truth than in a thousand victories gained by policy and falsehood. - Spurgeon

Image is what people think we are. Integrity is what we really are. - John Maxwell

I. Integrity in Work (Pro 20:4, 13) #

Prov. 20:4 ¶ The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing.

Prov. 20:13 ¶ Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread.

A. Sluggard – #

1. Sluggard – A person habitually lazy, idle and inactive. Slothful, unconcerned; half-hearted; careless. #

2. This word only appears 6 times in the Bible. #

B. 5 Signs of a Sluggard #

  1. Loves sleep (Pro 6:9, 20:13)

    Prov. 6:6 ¶ Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: … 9 How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep?

    1. Some people sleep to live, while others live to sleep. Sleep, like food, is a necessity, when taken in moderation, it is good, too much becomes an indulgence. Gluttony and laziness often go hand in hand.

  2. Lacks dependability, not trustworthy! (Pro 10:26)

Prov. 10:26 ¶ As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to them that send him.

    1. Faithfulness, commitment, dependable are all taught in the Bible.
    2. Sluggard is not dependable! He doesn’t show up.
    3. Everyone makes plans that get changed… sluggard has a bad history

  2. Longs for things... (Pro 13:4)

    1. Prov. 13:4 ¶ The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.
    2. He doesn’t have anything, because he is not willing to work for it! - LAZINESS!

  3. Loathes labor (Pro 20:4)

    1. A sluggard will always find a reason to not get a job done…. A worker will always find a way to get a job done.

  4. Lift himself up - Prideful

    1. Prov. 26:16 ¶ The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.
    2. Will not listen to reason, or others, he is the smartest man he knows.

II. Integrity in Worth (Pro 20:10, 23) #

Prov. 20:10 ¶ Divers weights, and divers measures, both of them are alike abomination to the LORD.

Prov. 20:23 ¶ Divers weights are an abomination unto the LORD; and a false balance is not good.

A. Honesty #

Deut. 25:13 ¶ Thou shalt not have in thy bag divers weights, a great and a small.

  • In Bible times, weights and measures were the way of buying and selling in the markets.
  • Peruvian markets, scales not always right
  • Measures of wheat, or barley… consistency
  • PRO 20:14

B. Hatred #

  • God, hates, detests, loathes, dishonest dealings!
  • 8 hours of pay, 8 hours of work!
  • Don’t be a shyster, be honest in your business deals

III. Integrity in Wealth #

Prov. 20:21 ¶ An inheritance may be gotten hastily at the beginning; but the end thereof shall not be blessed.

A. Lottery #

  • According to multiple studies, about 70% of all lottery winners end up going broke and filing for bankruptcy.
  • Get rich quick schemes are just that, schemes, designed to make the owners wealthy.
  • The prodigal son, gathered his wealth quickly, and lost it all quickly!

B. Love of money #

1Tim. 6:10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

C. Labor for earnings! #

1. Most believe that millionaires inherited their wealth. In a study of 10,000+ people, only 3% received an inheritance of $1 million or more. #

John D Rockefeller Sr. built an oil company along with several partners and together, these men generated more money than the world had ever seen at the time. Meanwhile, Rockefeller attended church every Sunday as well as prayer meetings on Friday nights for his entire adult life. He lived a balanced life, spending a tremendous amount of time with his family. His son John Jr and grandson John III were also very committed Christians that led extremely productive lives. He taught Sunday School, served as a trustee, clerk, and occasional janitor. He adhered to total abstinence from alcohol and tobacco throughout his life.

Tags: Preaching Outlines Proverbs Integrity Work Lazy Wealth Worth Value