It’s Important to Listen to Instruction

Commentary

Men often are too proud to listen to instruction. Lasting honor only comes to those who humble themselves and receive instructions from Godly men (v. 18) while poverty and shame will come to those who think themselves too advanced for such instruction. I find this often to be the case when I try to influence men to have a “Family Time." They know they should do it but they fail to heed the instruction in steps of how to do it. In surveys I have taken in the past several years I find that less than 2% of professing Christians actually have a “Family Time” at their house. No wonder Christian homes are falling apart and children are growing up in them with no time for God.

Besides the economic frustrations that come with poverty, poor people often suffer socially (v.20). People refuse to associate with the poor, even to the point of not having anything to do with their neighbor who doesn’t have much of this world’s goods. Instead they shower all of their applause and friendships on the rich. Hard work pays off while people who merely talk about work become poor (v.23). Labor is profitable in the physical realm because of what is produced. Also in the mental realm the mind is kept occupied, thus lessening the danger of giving way to the corrupt nature. In the spiritual realm, mere talk or empty boasting of oneself only results in spiritual poverty.

Application

It is important that I walk my talk. Just to say that I believe something and then live another way can be a very dangerous way of living and reveals the Spiritual poverty in my life.