Proverbs 3:1-10Trusting the Lord with All Your heart.

ProverbsOld Testament Wisdom Literature

Ancient: about 3,000 years old.

Very practical.

Proverbs 3:1-10ODD Verses: Condition/Imperative.

EVEN Verses: Result.

Proverbs 3:1-2My son, do not forget my teaching, But let your heart keep my commandments;

For length of days and years of life And peace they will add to you.

Deuteronomy 8:11–14 “Beware that you do not forget the LORD your God by not keeping His commandments and His ordinances and His statutes which I am commanding you today; otherwise, when you have eaten and are satisfied, and have built good houses and lived in them, and when your herds and your flocks multiply, and your silver and gold multiply, and all that you have multiplies, then your heart will become proud and you will forget the LORD your God who brought you out from the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.

Do the Proverbs promise too much?

Proverbs 3:3-4Do not let kindness and truth leave you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart.

So you will find favor and good repute In the sight of God and man.

Proverbs 3:5-6Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding.

In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.

Proverbs 14:12

There is a way which seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.

Proverbs 3:7-8Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and turn away from evil.

It will be healing to your body And refreshment to your bones.

Wise in his own eyes.

Even Wiser

Wisest in his own eyes.

Proverbs 26:12

Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

Proverbs 3:9-10Honor the LORD from your wealth And from the first of all your produce;

So your barns will be filled with plenty And your vats will overflow with new wine.

Mark 12:41–44 Jesus sat down near the collection box in the Temple and watched as the crowds dropped in their money. Many rich people put in large amounts. Then a poor widow came and dropped in two small coins. Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has given more than all the others who are making contributions. For they gave a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she had to live on.”

Does Proverbs promise too much?

Job?

Jesus?Long life? Good reputation?Smooth Path?Physical well-being?Wealth?

None of this is true for Jesus!

Understand the Proverbs1. Proverbs are not naïve or just

“spinning” the truth.

2. Proverbs are general statements which are true most of the time.

3. Some proverbs depend on the situation.

4. Some proverbs only make sense with a long-term view.

Proverbs 15:1

A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare.

Proverbs 26:4–5

Do not answer a fool according to his folly, Or you will also be like him. Answer a fool as his folly deserves, That he not be wise in his own eyes.

Consider the Long Term

Job

JesusLong life? Good reputation?Smooth Path?Physical well-being?Wealth?Turns out these did all

apply in the long term!

Consider the Long Term

Psalm 49

“I listen carefully to many proverbs and solve riddles with inspiration from a harp. Why should I fear when trouble comes, when enemies surround me?

They trust in their wealth and boast of great riches. Yet they cannot redeem themselves from death by paying a ransom to God. Redemption does not come so easily, for no one can ever pay enough to live forever and never see the grave.

Consider the Long Term

Psalm 49

The grave is their eternal home, where they will stay forever. They may name their estates after themselves, but their fame will not last. They will die, just like animals. This is the fate of fools, though they are remembered as being wise.

Consider the Long Term

Psalm 49

So don’t be dismayed when the wicked grow rich and their homes become ever more splendid. Their wealth will not follow them into the grave... They will die like all before them and never again see the light of day. People who boast of their wealth don’t understand; they will die, just like animals.”

Better question: Does God promise too

much?

“No man shall see God and live. But I shall not live till I see God. And when I have seen him, I shall never die”

– John Donne“Some day you will read in the papers, 'D. L. Moody of East Northfield is dead.' Don't you believe a word of it! At that moment I shall be more alive than I am now.”

– DL Moody