Thoughts for the Day

God's Word

Proverbs 12:8-9 (NIV)

8. A man is praised according to his wisdom, but men with warped minds are despised.

9. Better to be a nobody and yet have a servant than pretend to be somebody and have no food.

The book of Proverbs makes continually makes comparisons between the righteous wise, and the foolish wicked. Verse 8 states that the wise man will be commended according to his wisdom, while those who practice perverse and wicked deeds will be despised. Society at large, will acknowledge and praise the good deeds of men, as well as condemn their evil deeds. Jesus Himself, was a man known as one who went about doing good deeds. As God's children, we should also be known for our good deeds.

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ACT 10:38: (NIV)

38. how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.

Verse 9 tells us that a man who works for his own support may not be highly esteemed in the world; however, he is better than the man who assumes honor for himself, yet, he does not even have bread to eat. A man like that is so proud he will not ask for help when he needs it. We all, at times, need the help of others. Even the wealthiest man must depend on others to help him. God made men to need one another. Men need women, women need men, children need their parents. We were all born as helpless babies into this world and needed someone to care for us. Older people need the younger ones to help and care for them as they age. God created us, first of all, to need Him and then, to need each other. At times, we will be the giver and at other times, the receiver. For many people, it is easier to give, than to receive. We must not be too proud to receive when we have a need. Yet, we must not be selfish and refuse to help the weak, where there is a need. Both are needed. Saint Paul, in the New Testament ministered to others, yet he himself, needed the help of others. Here is the record: In the following verse in Acts, we see Paul taking care of himself and others, while the verse in Philippians records a brother in Christ ministering to Paul.

Acts 20:34: (NIV)

34. You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions.

Philippians 2:25: (NIV)

25. But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs.

We should all work and labor, so that we can take care of our own needs, as well as the needs of our families. However, we must not stop there, as we should reach out and help others too. Even before we help others, we must put the work of the Lord first, by giving our tithes and offerings to the work of God. Giving to the work of God gets the good news of the gospel out, so that men's hearts might be changed. When hearts are changed, problems are resolved permanently, instead of a temporary solution applied to the problem. We can feed the poor, but they will always remain poor, unless they change their ways. When they are "born again," God will lead them out of their bondage and poverty.

2 Corinthians 9:6-11: (NIV)

6. Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.

7. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

8. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

9. As it is written: "He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever."

10. Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.

11. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.