Proverbs 22 Devotional StudyWhy you should care what other people thinkEveryone is born with a boatload of foolishness (Proverbs 22:15). Our natural tendency is to choose poorly and experience bad consequences. What toddler doesn't think it's great fun to stick a wet finger in an electrical outlet? One thing a foolish person doesn't care about is his reputation. The screaming, crying 2-year-old being dragged out of the mall couldn't care less about how he looks. But God tells us that a good reputation is more valuable than riches (Proverbs 22:1). When all we want is wealth, we’ll waste anything to get it. When we guard a good name, we guard every area of our lives. For example, people who value their reputations make wise financial decisions. They understand the pitfalls of borrowing money and co-signing for loans, the blessings of generosity, and the stupidity of taking advantage of the poor. They know it's easy to find excuses not to work, but hard workers are extraordinary and find themselves in extraordinary places (Proverbs 22:13 and Proverbs 22:29). People who value their reputations guard their social lives. They won't cozy up to risky situations, immoral behavior, or hot-tempered people because they know entanglements there lead to disaster (Proverbs 22:3-8, Proverbs 22:14, Proverbs 22:24-25). People who value their reputations guard what goes into their heads and comes out of their mouths so they are prepared to apply knowledge to a problem and speak words of wisdom when questioned (Proverbs 22:11-12, Proverbs 22:17-20). People who value their reputations also value the reputations of their children and teach them to make wise choices (Proverbs 22:6, Proverbs 22:15). And most importantly, when God’s people value their reputations they do so to bring glory to His name, not their own (Proverbs 22:4). Since foolishness doesn't disappear with age, the remedy is to learn the wisdom of God and then discipline ourselves to obey His instructions. The book of Proverbs is a great place to start. Reflect:Proverbs 22:1 A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold. Proverbs 22:2 The rich and poor meet together: the LORD is the maker of them all. Proverbs 22:3 A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished. Proverbs 22:4 By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life. Proverbs 22:5 Thorns and snares are in the way of the froward: he that doth keep his soul shall be far from them. Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:7 The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender. Proverbs 22:8 He that soweth iniquity shall reap vanity: and the rod of his anger shall fail. Proverbs 22:9 He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor. Proverbs 22:10 Cast out the scorner, and contention shall go out; yea, strife and reproach shall cease. Proverbs 22:11 He that loveth pureness of heart, for the grace of his lips the king shall be his friend. Proverbs 22:12 The eyes of the LORD preserve knowledge, and he overthroweth the words of the transgressor. Proverbs 22:13 The slothful man saith, There is a lion without, I shall be slain in the streets. Proverbs 22:14 The mouth of strange women is a deep pit: he that is abhorred of the LORD shall fall therein. Proverbs 22:15 Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him. Proverbs 22:16 He that oppresseth the poor to increase his riches, and he that giveth to the rich, shall surely come to want. Words of the Wise Proverbs 22:17 Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge. Proverbs 22:18 For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee; they shall withal be fitted in thy lips. Proverbs 22:19 That thy trust may be in the LORD, I have made known to thee this day, even to thee. Proverbs 22:20 Have not I written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge, Proverbs 22:21 That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth; that thou mightest answer the words of truth to them that send unto thee? Proverbs 22:22 Rob not the poor, because he is poor: neither oppress the afflicted in the gate: Proverbs 22:23 For the LORD will plead their cause, and spoil the soul of those that spoiled them. Proverbs 22:24 Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go: Proverbs 22:25 Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul. Proverbs 22:26 Be not thou one of them that strike hands, or of them that are sureties for debts. Proverbs 22:27 If thou hast nothing to pay, why should he take away thy bed from under thee? Proverbs 22:28 Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set. Proverbs 22:29 Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.
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