Author: Jeff Englund

Whoever heeds discipline shows the way to life,
    but whoever ignores correction leads others astray.

Summary: Who is watching you? What do people think of you? Does it matter? Yes, it does! We are always watching others and taking clues from what they do. People are watching you, too. If you care about others, the first order of business is setting a good example for them. 

Continue reading “Proverbs 10:17 — Follow the Leader”

The wages of the righteous is life,
    but the earnings of the wicked are sin and death.

Summary: We discussed this verse a little in yesterday’s meditation on verses 15-16. Today we look at verse 16 by itself. The meanings of the words in this verse hold the key to understanding what “life” and “death” mean from God’s point of view. /

Continue reading “Proverbs 10:16 — A Matter of Life and Death”

The wealth of the rich is their fortified city,
    but poverty is the ruin of the poor.
The wages of the righteous is life,
    but the earnings of the wicked are sin and death.

Summary: Quicksand is a real thing, and a metaphor for ground that is soft and deep. Today’s proverbs look simple on the surface, but they are very deep. 

Continue reading “Proverbs 10:15-16 — Quicksand”

The wise store up knowledge,
    but the mouth of a fool invites ruin.

Summary: What is knowledge? The answer to that question leads us to turn to God. Only God truly “knows” all that there is to know. 

Continue reading “Proverbs 10:14 — In Search of Answers”

Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning,
    but a rod is for the back of one who has no sense.

Summary: How do we get “sense”? Is there a place for beatings in this world? This short proverb opens the door to a difficult topic that touches each of our lives. 

Continue reading “Proverbs 10:13 — Wisdom and Sense”

Whoever winks maliciously causes grief,
    and a chattering fool comes to ruin.

Summary: It turns out that people communicate with their eyes almost as much as they do with their mouths. 

Continue reading “Proverbs 10:10 — Bug Eyes”

The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life,
    but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.

Summary: The mouth is an important part of our body. It can be used to reveal who we are or to deceive others about what we are. 

Continue reading “Proverbs 10:11 — Open Wide”

Whoever walks in integrity walks securely,
    but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out.

Summary: Understanding this proverb teaches us a lot about ourselves and each other. To walk in integrity requires an understanding of God’s Word. To avoid the crooked paths requires a heart devoted to the Lord. 

Continue reading “Proverbs 10:9 — The Way We Walk”

The wise in heart accept commands,
    but a chattering fool comes to ruin.

Summary: Whether or not a person accepts commands is immediately obvious to anyone watching. How we respond to legitimate commands says a lot about our character. 

Continue reading “Proverbs 10:8 — Chattering”