The first few verses in Proverbs 6 teach about acting responsibly with our financial resources. Solomon is instructing us how overextending ourselves and acting irresponsibly with our money can lead to poverty. This Proverb isn’t saying we can’t be generous, it just stresses the importance of balancing generosity with good stewardship so our families do not suffer…
“My child, if you have put up security for a friend’s debt or agreed to guarantee the debt of a stranger—if you have trapped yourself by your agreement and are caught by what you said—follow my advice and save yourself, for you have placed yourself at your friend’s mercy. Now swallow your pride; go and beg to have your name erased. Don’t put it off; do it now! Don’t rest until you do. Save yourself like a gazelle escaping from a hunter, like a bird fleeing from a net.” Proverbs 6: 1-5
There are six things the Lord hates—no seven things He detests:
haughty eyes, (arrogant; showing oneself above others)
a lying tongue,
hands that kill the innocent, (I’m thinking abortion)
a heart that plots evil,
feet that race to do wrong,
a false witness who pours out lies,
a person who sows discord in a family.” Proverbs 6: 16-19
Towards the end of Proverbs 6, Solomon again talks about sexual sin. If God gives us warning after warning from something, it has to be really important and we must listen…
“For a prostitute will bring you to poverty, but sleeping with another man’s wife will cost you your life. Can a man scoop a flame into his lap and not have his clothes catch on fire? Can he walk on hot coals and not blister his feet? So it is with the man who sleeps with another man’s wife. He who embraces her will not go unpunished. (***Someone reading needs to hear this)
Excuses might be found for a thief who steals because he is starving. But if he is caught, he must pay back seven times what he stole, even if he has to sell everything in his house. But the man who commits adultery is an utter fool, for he destroys himself. He will be wounded and disgraced. His shame will never be erased. For the woman’s jealous husband will be furious, and he will show no mercy when he takes revenge. He will accept no compensation, nor be satisfied with a payoff of any size. Proverbs 6: 26-35