September 23, 2020

3 Warnings #

Proverbs 22:2

Introduction

A warning is an alarm that sounds for a particular reason. If the fire alarm were to sound in the building, you would get up, and make your way outside quickly. It is an alarm. Sometimes we become conditioned to ignore the alarm going off! Many times in homes, the smoke alarm sounds, and it is often just something that has burned in the kitchen, and we grow used to just ignoring the alarm. You are faithful and I appreciate your faithfulness, I don’t want us, me or you to become use to hearing the alarm, and just dismissing it.

The Word of God warns us of many things in this life, and it is for our benefit! So we will not get burned, or suffer loss!

I. Warning about Distinction (Pro 22:2) #

A. Elitism #

1. The idea of being superior to others… This is obviously a wicked mindset #

2. This mindset often goes with riches… #

• • • 3. Laodiceans received this warning: #

Rev. 3:17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:

4. Wealth can breed haughtiness #

• Haughty – proud and disdainful; having a high opinion of one’s self, with some contempt for others; lofty and arrogant.
• I’m better than you…

Prov. 18:12 ¶ Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.

B. Entitlement #

1. Expecting a handout… #

• • • 2. In the 1990’s in Lima Peru, the Shining Path, a communist party came through and took over many places throughout Peru. We arrived in Lima just about 12 years afterwards. One of the young ladies in our church explained how she had hated Americans. Because they didn’t share their wealth. That is what she had been taught by the communist party which took over her school. - Ungrateful entitlement… someone is richer… not fair! #

    • Look around today… what is going on! Prevalent thought today among many poor people.

C. Eternity – God’s View #

1. Usefulness to God #

• Wealthy – Abraham, Job, David, Solomon,
• Poor – Elijah, Peter, Andrew, James, John, Mary & Joseph, Jesus

2. Bowing before God: #

Phil. 2:10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

3. Judged of God #

Rev. 20:12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

II. Warning about Debt (Pro 22:7, 26-27) #

• The first part of this verse is obvious, rich lend money, the poor do not!

A. Borrower is servant #

1. I’m not saying that being in debt is a sin, but being in debt foolishly, is certainly foolish. #

• The majority of Americans are playing with fire with credit card overspending.
• The average person making less than $70K has about 7-12% of debt.

“Some sell their liberty to gratify their luxury.” Matthew Henry

2. Credit Card Debt and debt in general is ruining most American’s lives… #

• Students borrow money for 4 years of college, and then it takes them 10-30 years to pay it back.

B. Be careful of co-signing! (Pro 22:26-27) #

• If you co-sign, you are the servant to the lender!
• The reason you have to co-sign, is because the other person doesn’t have a credit history or a “good name”

III. Warning about Oppression (Pro 22:16, 22-23) #

A. Taking advantage, Exploiting #

1. Tyranny – This is sad on a very large level, and happens all over the world. #

• Communism is one of the biggest offenders

2. Big Company taking advantage of the little guy! #

• Sometimes it is that the little guy is lazy, but sometimes a big company takes advantage of it’s workers.

B. Taking advantage of poor (Pro 22:22) #

1. “because he is poor” – this is low! #

• Exploiting the poor, because they are an easy target
• Widows, orphans, those who are more vulnerable!

2. “afflicted in the gate” - This would be people who were disabled in some form. #

• In Bible times there was no government programs to help the disabled, or handicapped people. The family would take care of them, and at some point they would have to go to the street, and beg. They would often be in the ‘gate’ of the city.

C. Fighting God! (Pro 22:23) #

• You are a fool if you go up against God
• There are plenty of foolish people, who ignore the Word of God!
• May we heed the warning!