October 27, 2017

THE GREAT EXCHANGE

Proverbs 17:1–14

Mark Reeves
Friday's Devo

October 27, 2017

Friday's Devo

October 27, 2017

Central Truth

There is a treasure greater than all your possessions and power that no amount of bribing, bartering, or buying can attain. Jesus is that pearl of great price, and the cost of ownership is laying down your whole life.

Key Verse | Proverbs 17:8

A bribe is like a magic stone in the eyes of the one who gives it;
wherever he turns he prospers.
(Proverbs 17:8)

Proverbs 17:1–14

Better is a dry morsel with quiet
    than a house full of feasting 1 17:1 Hebrew sacrifices with strife.
A servant who deals wisely will rule over a son who acts shamefully
    and will share the inheritance as one of the brothers.
The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold,
    and the LORD tests hearts.
An evildoer listens to wicked lips,
    and a liar gives ear to a mischievous tongue.
Whoever mocks the poor insults his Maker;
    he who is glad at calamity will not go unpunished.
Grandchildren are the crown of the aged,
    and the glory of children is their fathers.
Fine speech is not becoming to a fool;
    still less is false speech to a prince.
A bribe is like a magic 2 17:8 Or precious stone in the eyes of the one who gives it;
    wherever he turns he prospers.
Whoever covers an offense seeks love,
    but he who repeats a matter separates close friends.
10  A rebuke goes deeper into a man of understanding
    than a hundred blows into a fool.
11  An evil man seeks only rebellion,
    and a cruel messenger will be sent against him.
12  Let a man meet a she-bear robbed of her cubs
    rather than a fool in his folly.
13  If anyone returns evil for good,
    evil will not depart from his house.
14  The beginning of strife is like letting out water,
    so quit before the quarrel breaks out.

Footnotes

[1] 17:1 Hebrew sacrifices
[2] 17:8 Or precious

Dive Deeper | Proverbs 17:1–14

Many proverbs make you nod your head in agreement. They are truisms. You are in ready agreement with them when led by the Spirit. But there is the occasional proverb that makes you scratch your head instead. That was my first reaction to verse 8. 

Verse 1—nod; 2—nod; 3—nod; 4—nod; 5—nod; 6—nod; 7—nod; 8 . . . scratch.

If the proverbs are pro tips for prospering, is Solomon encouraging bribery? Let's see what other Scriptures say:

"The wicked accepts a bribe in secret to pervert the ways of justice." (Proverbs 17:23)
"And you shall take no bribe, for a bribe blinds the clear-sighted and subverts the cause of those who are in the right." (Exodus 23:8)

It's clear that bribes are sinful, but Solomon believes wisdom can be gained by looking at the folly of bribery.

This bribe in verse 8 is so valuable it appears to be magic. It is a jewel of such worth that it can open doors and change minds. 

The reality is that bribery may move power and possessions our way in this life, but we can't take these things with us when we die. We are facing eternity, and the only One we must answer to cannot be bribed.

In Matthew 19:16, the rich young ruler asked Jesus what good deed he could "do to have eternal life." But the man left sorrowful from the encounter because Jesus asked him instead to give up his earthly treasure, security, and strength and to come and follow Him. In Matthew 13:45, Jesus made clear how much His kingdom is worth. "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it."

Jesus is the pearl of great price. The eternal treasure. But gaining Him requires a trade so miraculous that it might appear like magic. We don't have enough pull to bribe our way to salvation. But God will take all the things we lean on for security—a pittance to the One who created everything—and exchange them for the right to be called His heirs.

Discussion Questions

1. What has God called you to give up in order to follow Him? Are you still negotiating the trade, struggling to let go, or willingly laying it all down?

2. Are you using your community of fellow Christians to wrestle with your desires for possessions and power? Do you have others speaking biblical wisdom into your life about major life decisions including spending, saving, and the priority of success at work?

3. The rich young ruler was a faithful follower of God's commands, but he struggled with his desire for comfort and control. How are you doing at depending on God for security and power in all areas of your life?