Proverbs 13:11-15
 
Prov 13:11 (KJB)
Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase.
 
Vanity - A breath - In a figurative sense denoting a transitory life
Increase - Numerous or great
 
Here is a continuation of the theme of those who work versus those who are lazy. Those who attempt to be wealthy by methods which are vain will see that their funds will eventually diminish. They will not be able to keep their wealth, sometimes this happens when a person becomes wealthy to quickly and they start going on a spending spree and soon they look around and find that their funds have been diminished. However, the person who labors for their money will see an increase in their money because they will realize they worked hard for it. Instead of them buying everything in sight, they will make proper investments and control their spending, this way they are handling their money with wisdom and will increase instead of going bankrupt. There is also a spiritual application to this verse. Those who study the Scriptures will increase in biblical knowledge and wisdom as the Holy Spirit implants the truths into them. Those who just listen to others and never do their own studies, will diminish in understanding because they will find it hard to bring to mind the sayings of others.
 
Prov 13:12 (KJB)
Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.
 
When a person hopes for something and the object of their hope is delayed in coming, then the extended time can cause the heart to become sick and the mind then becomes troubled and if it continues then a spirit of despondency comes over the person. If the desire of the object comes quickly to the person, then there is no anxiety and it will seem like there is a new lease on life akin to a tree of life. Many times we hope for things and that hope is today but the object of our hope is still distant. This mindset is very prevalent in Christianity. (Titus 2:13 KJV) Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; The word “looking” in Titus 2:13 carries with it the meaning of “await or expect.” Christians today are being persecuted and oppressed just with the daily cares of this life. All are eagerly waiting for the return of the Lord Jesus Christ and some have become despondent wondering if He is ever going to return. Unfortunately, this happens when the Christian turns their face toward the world and sees all the perplexity in it. Seeing the bad shape the world is in can bring a person down but the Christian is not to focus on the things of the world. This does not mean we stick our head in the sand as we are to walk in this world in wisdom, that is, in the light of the promises in Scripture. If we keep our eyes focused on Christ, then we will know that even though the world looks out of control, it is well under control and at the appointed day, the Lord Jesus Christ will return. (Hag 2:7 KJV) And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory, saith the LORD of hosts. Haggai 2:7 speaks of the first coming of the Lord Jesus Christ but we can look at it in the light of the second coming of Christ, when all the nations of the world will be shaken aka judged.
 
Prov 13:13 (KJB)
Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded.
 
Feareth - Afraid or terrified
 
This verse focuses on the word of God. The unbeliever who despises the word of God and looks down on it or considers it just to be another religious book used to control people will be destroyed. If they continue to reject and despise God’s word, they will be judged by that very book they despised on the last day. Those who fear the commandments are showing wisdom because many of the commandments speak of the horrors of Judgment day and eternal damnation. The true believer reads these verses and respects them for the fact that they have been delivered from damnation by the Lord Jesus Christ. Their reward is going to be eternal life with the Lord Jesus Christ. The ones who mock the Scriptures show that they are unsaved and are facing judgment.
 
Prov 13:14 (KJB)
The law of the wise is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.
 
Law - Instruction
Fountain - Source or spring
 
Those who are saved are able to bring the life changing word of God to those who still remain unsaved. Just as a fountain has a source, the believer has a source and that is the word of God which we teach and preach to the world. The Holy Spirit indwells us, resulting in understanding the word which gives the believer the ability to bring the word in a systematic and understandable manner. The word of God brings the message of salvation and when a person becomes saved, they are drawn out of the snares of eternal damnation. They are then transferred into the Kingdom of God from the kingdom of Satan. Then they will possess the fountain of life where they will go forth and bring the message of salvation. The word of God has the ability to divert someone from a life leading to death to a life leading to eternal life.
 
Prov 13:15 (KJB)
Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of transgressors is hard.
 
Good - Pleasant, proper, or useful
Understanding - Insight or wisdom
Hard - Continuing or constant
 
Useful wisdom which flows from a heart of discernment will always be welcomed and good advice always finds favor in the one who is receiving it. If a person can save themselves heartaches by clinging to good advice, the person giving the advice will be a well-favored person. On the other hand, the transgressor or the sinner does not give any good advice nor do they follow good advice and that is the main reason why the way of the transgressor is hard. The word “hard” carries with it the meaning of “continuing” which means that the life of the transgressor is a continual life of transgression because they cannot or will not stop to listen to others. They continually think they know what is good for them and reject all outside advice not realizing that they can stop the continual progression transgressions if they heed the advice of the wise, which are the saved. Unbelievers that remain unbelievers will have their lives as a continuum of sin.

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