Proverbs 22:6-10
Prov 22:6 (KJB)
Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
 
Train - Dedicate
 
Here is a good verse with a double meaning. First, we raise our children according to the principles of Scripture and by doing this we are training them as the next generation. The things that children learn when they are young will definitely be carried over into adulthood and into the golden years. The word “train” carries with it the meaning of “dedicate” and whatever we dedicate our children to, right or wrong, will go with them throughout their lives. Secondly, this verse carries a spiritual meaning. When a person becomes saved, they are a spiritual baby and they need to be guided into the Christian life. If a new Christian is properly trained in how to read and understand the Bible, they will begin on a good footing. As they grow they learn about missions, giving, getting involved with the Great Commission, finding their spiritual gift(s), finally the ministry that God has prepared for them. If we train a new Christian just to go church, jump up and down in the pews, go to religious rock and roll concerts, and read counterfeit versions of the Bible, then we are not training them for success but for total failure and this is why so many Christians walk around as nothing more than spiritual zombies. Christianity is a Faith which requires full involvement by all Christians, not just a few.
 
Prov 22:7 (KJB)
The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.
 
Servant - Slave
 
This verse gives a serious financial principle which everyone should heed before they borrow money or set out on some type of venture. Whenever a person borrows money, you become the servant to the lender. This means, that until the debt is paid, whatever you own can be sold and the proceeds given to the lender. If you borrow and they call in the loan, you must pay off that loan or if you do not have the money, then you must divest your earthly goods. This is why it is so important that people do not abuse credit. Credit is not money, it represents debt and if you misuse it, it can get you into serious trouble. It is also a danger when you borrow too much and cause your income to go to the lenders. You will be unable to give to the Lord’s work and it may suffer. The problem in our present world is that many Christians see the things others have and borrow to try and keep up with others. Why buy a car for $30,000 when one for $18,000 will do. Why buy a house for $500,000 when a house for $250,000 will do. Christians, of all groups of people, should heed the warning in this verse and not act simple and pass on and be punished. If you purchase a house that is priced above and beyond your financial capabilities and you default, you are out on the street. These things must be taken into consideration. While money is neutral, it can be engaged for good or evil.
 
Prov 22:8 (KJB)
He that soweth iniquity shall reap vanity: and the rod of his anger shall fail.
 
Shall reap vanity - He will harvest calamity
 
(Gal 6:7 KJV) Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. The first part of this verse speaks of sowing and reaping. Those who sow iniquity are going to reap a crop of more iniquity. Galatians 6:7 speaks of the fact that whatever you sow, that is, good or bad, you will reap the results of what you sowed and keep in mind that seeds are sown, which are small items. When the seeds grow, they grow into a plant many times the size of what was sown. This means, that if you sow just a little iniquity, you can expect a crop of problems and sin, many times bigger than you expected. The second part of this verse is a comfort to all those around the one who sows iniquity because it states that eventually his rod of anger will fail. He will not hold on to whatever sway he has over someone because he will lose the ability to hurt another. This may pointing to an oppressive government regime or it may just be someone who yields local power like a town boss. This can also refer to Satan who sows iniquity in this world and has a great hatred for Christ and Christians. Someday his rod of anger will fail when he is judged and cast into eternal hell.
 
Prov 22:9 (KJB)
He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor.
 
Bountiful - Good or pleasant
 
Here we have one of those good verses with double meanings. First, this person gives of their bread to the poor, not selling it to them, but giving it to them and as a result, his generosity will be blessed of the Lord. This should not be done just around holidays because people get hungry the rest of the year too. If a Christian can help a poor person, it brings honor to the Lord and deepens your testimony as a child of God. Secondly, this has a great spiritual application. Every true Christian has been given the Bread of Life, which is the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. As Christians, we should not keep this bread to ourselves but give it out to others. (Eccl 11:1 KJV) Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days. When we give to missions, we are casting that bread upon the waters of the world, and as the Lord uses it to bring others into the Kingdom, we will find that the Lord will bless our giving, so we are able to continue giving, which is one of the great dynamics of the Christian life. We must realize how much living bread we have and that amount never runs out, so we can continue to give out the Gospel to any and everyone we can.
 
Prov 22:10 (KJB)
Cast out the scorner, and contention shall go out; yea, strife and reproach shall cease.
 
Cast out - Drive out
Contention - Strife
 
The words “cast out” is in the imperative which means that it is not a suggestion but a command. People that live to cause trouble should be avoided at all costs. They are the root causes of much strife. Once the scorner or mocker is driven out of a group, business, church, or whatever, troubles within that organization will cease. Mockery tends to destroy friendships and can alienate friends. When the trouble maker is rooted out, peace can once again be restored. Many problems in many churches can be traced back to a single individual who spreads their vileness like wildfire. Scorners only serve themselves and their own interests and that is why they cause trouble, hoping to divide people and then they cling to the side where they can gain the most advantage. If you throw out the lighter, the wood will not burn.

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