Douglas Baptist Church

A gift opens the way for the giver and ushers him into the presence of the great. (Proverbs 18:16)

This week many folks will be out looking for the perfect gift for their sweet heart. In the end many will settle on a gift and not worry about perfection. Amongst all the red hearted novelty items, chocolates and flowers is really possible to find the perfect gift? What does giving such a gift on Valentine’s day even mean?

Of course there’s nothing wrong with giving those that we care about something, we need to express our love for each other. Today’s proverb reminds us that when a gift is given one may gain influence or soften someones heart. However, we must be carefully because there is a fine line between trying to buy some one’s love (or bribing someone) and giving for the sake of showing our love.

We must ask ourselves what is my motive for giving? Why am I doing this?

An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips. Proverbs 24:26

I came across this proverb a couple of weeks ago when reading and although my first reaction was to get it up on the blog right away, I thought I would save it until this week. For two reasons (that are somewhat connected I guess), first Valentine’s Day is coming up this Sunday and second our theme this Sunday will be marriage.

Now I recognize that all kisses are not created equal but in this case let’s just assume for the sake of this proverb (and blog) that they are a good thing, something to look forward too. In fact when this proverb was written a kiss on the lips would have been a sign of true friendship. In other words this proverb is saying that one who gives an honest answer is a true friend.

Of course one could easily apply this bit of wisdom to marriage as well-just as showing affection (i.e. kissing) is important in marriage so too is honesty! In fact, if one wants to build a strong healthy marriage honesty is essential. In the book “Marriage Takes More Than Love,” Jack & Carole Mayhall include a chapter entitled “Choosing Honesty.” In this chapter they note that “openness, sympathy, and understanding” are “necessary building blocks for marriage.”

Lord help me to choose honesty today!

 If a man loudly blesses his neighbor early in the morning, it will be taken as a curse. (Proverbs 27:14)

I understand there are those who love mornings, even getting up before the Sun comes up. Then there are those of us who tolerate them, seeing them as a necessary evil-hard to start the day without one I guess! No matter whether one is a morning person or not this proverb has meaning for all.

In fact this proverb has very little to do with mornings and more to do with flattery. One must be careful not to over do it with compliments. The way one delivers a compliment is important and speaks to ones sincerity as well as motives. This proverb leads us to be suspicious of the motives as the ”blessing” is done loudly (for all to hear?) and early (an unusual time?). From experience I have learned that all blessings are not created equal (not all are sincere nor are they meant for the benefit of the one they are directed at).

So let’s be careful to be sincere and thinking of others before speaking (even when offering a “blessing”).

A righteous man cares for the needs of his animal, but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel. Proverbs 12:10

Among other things, this proverb reminds us that creation care reveals ones character. While we may not think of ourselves as environmentalists, Christians are to respect and care for/about all of creation including the many animals that call the earth home.

A man’s steps are directed by the LORD. How than can anyone understand his own way? (Proverbs 20:24)

I read this proverb at our staff meeting this morning and we had an interesting discussion about it. At first the proverb seemed to bring about more questions than answers (which can be a bit discouraging can’t it!). So what does this proverb tell us? Here’s a couple of things we came up with…it reminds us of the sovereignty of God…it tells us that we may not always be able to understand what is happening and why…it reveals that we should trust God especially when the future is unclear!