A Friend Loves at All Times

Charles Swindoll says, “To walk by faith does not mean that we stop thinking. To trust God does not imply becoming lazy or apathetic. What a distortion of biblical faith! You and I need to trust God for our finances, but that is no license to spend foolishly. You and I ought … More

Finances

To justify the wicked and to condemn the righteous is to call evil good, and good evil (v. 15). This is hated by the Lord and any who operate in this manner are fools. There are many examples of this going on in our society today but one that is very glaring is the abortion issue. Abortion has been legalized all across our land and even by the Supreme Court. This is nothing less than murder and think of the millions that are being murdered under the banner of “women’s rights."

Why should fools have money for an education when they refuse to learn (v. 16)? The idea is portrayed that both a friend and a brother should be greatly valued (v. 17). The true friend proves himself in times of trouble by helping whenever and wherever he is needed. Our Lord Jesus Christ is that Friend whose love never changes, and who is in reality a brother born for adversity. A person does not demonstrate sound judgment who will guarantee someone else’s financial note (v. 18). There are repeated warnings throughout the Scriptures concerning our standing good for someone else’s debt. If a person or an organization does not have the money to buy something it is a good idea not to get it. This can be God’s way of saying you don’t need it or at least not right now."He that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction” (v. 19). Private homes in Solomon’s day were often entered through a high and elaborate gateway which spoke of wealth and social prestige.  People who did not have the money were often tempted to construct such a gate and thus brought themselves to financial ruin. Men today also often adopt a life-style that is beyond their means.

Application

What is my chief goal in life?  Do I find myself spending more time thinking about how I can improve my living standard than I do about what I can accomplish for Christ?

Proverbs 17:15-19 (English Standard Version)


Warning: MagpieRSS: Failed to parse RSS file. (Space required at line 39, column 24) in /var/www/html/familytimes/includes/magpie6-1/rss_fetch.inc on line 230

Warning: array_slice() expects parameter 1 to be array, null given in /var/www/html/familytimes/includes/rss/esvLookup.php on line 15

View this passage in NIV (Bible Gateway) »

More Proverbs commentaries

Proverbs 14:1-5
No Work Means No Harvest

Proverbs 14:6-12
Fools Think Their Ways Are Right

Proverbs 14:13-17
Failing to Live by The Truth of God’s Word

Proverbs 14:18-23
It’s Important to Listen to Instruction

Proverbs 14:24-29
A Bad Temper is a Sign of Weakness

Proverbs 14:30-35
Emotions Effect Our Physical Conditon

Proverbs 15:1-5
Choose Gentle Words

Proverbs 15:6-11
Refusal to Take Correction Brings Discipline

Proverbs 15:12-15
We Feed What Our Heart Craves

Proverbs 15:16-22
Love is More Important Than Riches

Proverbs 15:23-27
Wise Leaders Always Seek Advice

Proverbs 15:28-33
The Righteous Weighs His Words Carefully

Proverbs 16:1-11
God’s Sovereignty in Shaping the World

Proverbs 16:5-11
Making Enemies to Be at Peace

Proverbs 16:12-17
Better to Have Wisdom Than Gold

Proverbs 16:18-22
Pride Goes Before Destruction

Proverbs 16:23-26
The Way That Seems Right to Man

Proverbs 16:27-33
A Whisperer Separates Friends

Proverbs 17:1-4
The Lord Tests the Hearts

Proverbs 17:5-9
Children Need to Revere Their Parents

Proverbs 17:10-14
Evil Men Seek Rebellion

Proverbs 17:15-19
A Friend Loves at All Times

Proverbs 17:20-28
A Merry Heart Is Like Medicine

Proverbs 18:1-5
With Dishonor Comes Reproach

Proverbs 18:6-12
A Fool’s Mouth Brings Destruction

Proverbs 18:13-24
A Friend that sticks closer than a Brother

Proverbs 19:1-9
Wealth Makes Many Friends

Proverbs 19:10-19
Chasten Your Son While There is Hope

Proverbs 19:20-29
Judgments Are Prepared For Scoffers

Proverbs 20:1-5
Wine is a Mocker

Proverbs 20:6-10
Who Can Find a Faithful Man?

Proverbs 20:11-20
A Child Is Known By His Deeds

Proverbs 20:21-30
Blows That Hurt Cleanse Away Evil