Some Wise Counsel from Some Worldly Characters

Proverbs 28:1-8

Introduction: Wisdom flows from Solomon’s heart to his hand. He puts pen to pad. Listen to what he says.

I. Ask Mrs. Manners (v. 1-3)

You remember her don’t you? She speaks of proper etiquette. She teaches us to “mind your manners.” Manners have to do with the ways of social life. It’s a way of acting or behaving; prevacing social norms.

When it comes to manners, some are like a hungry hog at a slop through. Here Solomon deals with the mundane matters of table manners. But there’s more here than meets the eye. Solomon is teaching us to cultivate alertness and curb the appetite (Phillips). Note the following.

  1. Observation (vs.1)

“Consider”=discern, perceive, understand, look, well, mark out.

“Diligently”=draw, search, inquire (the what and the who) Make sure you understand what’s going on in front of you.

  1. Moderation (vs. 2)

“Knife/ Throat”= Take extraordinary measures to avoid overindulging. Show self-restraint and disciple.

  1. Motivation (vs. 3)

Some invite for a reason. Check out the motivation. There may be a price tag or the wine and dine! If you’re not careful you could lose your soul.

II. Analyze Joe Millionaire (vs. 4-5)

“Labor”= Grasp, exhaust, toil, tire, faint, weary.

“Wisdom”=Understanding. Again, the idea is self-restraint. The only goal some have is to be rich in this world. They are focusing on the wrong world. Solomon is not against work and money but he warns against making it your priority.

Look at Ecc. 5:8-17 and learn five principles. He who:

  1. Hungers for money finds his heart is never satisfied. (vs. 10)
  2. Has money finds his friends are multiplied (vs. 11)
  3. Harbors his money finds his worries are magnified (vs. 11-12)
  4. Hoards his money finds his sickness is intensified (vs. 13)
  5. Hugs his money finds his security is nullified (vs. 18)

People leave this world the same way they came into it-in their birthday suit without a skinny penny. See MK. 10:25; MATT 6:19-21; I. TIM 6:10

III. Avoid Ebenezer Scrooge (vs. 6-8)

Remember Charles Dickens and The Christmas Carol? Scrooge is misery and mean; stingy and dingy. He’s a tightwad. Listen to Solomon speak Take note of:

  1. His Head: He’s thinking, calculating. He’s enticing your and setting you up.
  2. His Heart: His thoughts and intentions are not with you.
  3. His Harm: The literal meaning here is he’s like a hair in your throat. There’s a gagging reflex. This man tolerates you because of an ulterior motive. In the end you will realize you have been had.

“Vomit”= Not profit from the meal. He will spread the table and then spring the trap! See PROV. 10:19, 21-23, 29-20.

Conclusion: Some pretty wise council, wouldn’t you say?