Proverbs 17:4-5 

⁴A wicked person listens to deceitful lips; a liar pays attention to a destructive tongue. ⁵Whoever mocks the poor shows contempt for their Maker; whoever gloats over disaster will not go unpunished.

Impeachment

         To remove officials from government offices, impeachment is effective political tool. There are rules about impeachment proceedings that requires intervention of the Supreme Court. When the Supreme Court issues order that may favor a particular political party, an opposing political party may protest if they cannot agree, and they appreciate an order that favors them.

         A certain politician told the media about his disagreement with the Supreme Court order. He was warned of possible indirect contempt. When anyone shows contempt for authority of the court, a charge of contempt of court is issued. Contempt of court is charge against disrespect for authority.

         If judges are given authority to punish anyone who shows contempt, disrespect, defiance and disobedience to court orders, God is the righteous judge decreed punishment to contempt, disrespect, defiance, disobedience to his instruction. And since everyone violates the commands of God, we are doomed for eternal punishment. But God is merciful and loving God.

         Let’s reflect on John 3:16-18, ¹⁶God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. ¹⁷For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. ¹⁸Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.

         Believe it or not, everyone stands condemned already. But when by faith we believed in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we are excluded from the condemnation of anyone who have not believed in Jesus’ name.

         Disillusioned people argue that because God is love, he won’t punish anyone. That is deception. True! God is love, but God is also just. God had decreed eternal punishment for anyone who rejects his gift of eternal life in Jesus Christ. Faith in Jesus Christ inspires us to reject to deceitful ideas.

1. Deceit

           ⁴A wicked person listens to deceitful lips; a liar pays attention to a destructive tongue.

         By faith in Christ, we reject deception and strive to be honest. Wicked mindset pays attention to deception. Deception can attract the dishonest.

         Scammers are deceitful. They swindle gullible and naïve individuals. Scams offer instant prosperity. Prosperity is very attractive to anyone who crave for instant wealth. Be prayerful to avoid sweet talking swindlers.

         How can we avoid scammers? Let us reflect on what it declares in Ecclesiastes 5:10-11, ¹⁰Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. This too is meaningless. ¹¹As goods increase, so do those who consume them. And what benefit are they to the owners except to feast their eyes on them?

         What benefits us to acquire more than we need? We can only ride one vehicle at a time. If you have one good car, that should be enough. But many rich people purchase multiple cars for what? It is for their eyes to feast on them because anyone can only ride one vehicle at a time.

         But if God bless you abundantly more than you need, your mission purpose may have been to be God’s blessing to others. Discover it if you were given the gift of generosity. Together, let’s seriously internalize and reflect on what it declares in 2 Corinthians 9:10-11,¹⁰He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. ¹¹You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.

         Every good gift comes from God. If God blessed us abundantly more than we need, we testify about his gracious love for us. How? God may have chosen us to be channels of blessing for recipients to praise him also.

         Are you given the gift of generosity? What practical abundance did God bless you with that you may share with others? Finances, knowledge, connection, skills, time? We cannot share what we don’t have. Right?

         Someone said, “I have a lot of problem. Can I share my problems to others?” If you share your problem to others, you may find solution to your problems. But be prayerful. Sharing problem to the wrong person could be disastrous. If the person gossips about your problem, that’s a disaster.

2.  Disaster

       ⁵Whoever mocks the poor shows contempt for their Maker; whoever gloats over disaster will not go unpunished.

         People who don’t know God argue that, “If God is love, why does he allows others to be poor?” They may assume that being rich should prove that God is love. History teaches that there were rich and poor people.

         There were powerful and powerless people. There were wise and ordinary people. There were tall and short people. Each person has unique situation. But does it prove that God is not love? Together, let’s reflect on Deuteronomy 15:10-11, ¹⁰Give generously to the poor and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to. ¹¹There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your fellow Israelites who are poor and needy in your land.

         How do you personally interpret the phrase, “Be openhanded toward your fellow Israelites who are poor and needy in your land?”

         The Lord commanded the Israelites to be generous to poor Israelites. God allowed some Israelites to be poor for Israelites who have so much abundance may practice generosity. Indeed, God promised more blessing in our works and other things we do when we practice generosity to others.

         Generosity should be intentional. People with so much money may help anyone randomly. But since we are stewards of God’s blessing, we should be particular about needy people we should help. Everything we do should reflect our relationship with the Lord and dependence on him.

Ready for Family

         A father gave his son the responsibility to take the trash bin out, read and report water, gas and electricity meter reading, shovel snow and mow the grass. The son also cooks food and washed dishes. Actually, the father can easily perform those responsibilities alone. But he let his son do them.

         The father observed his son fervently diligent without grumbling. Then the right time came. The son bought his own house and get married. The father had no doubt that his son has become a responsible family man.

         Likewise, commands of God prepare us to be responsible Christians. Let’s reflect on what it declares in Galatians 6:9-10, ⁹Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.  ¹⁰Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

         This command is very similar to the command that God gave to the Israelites to help their fellow Israelites. For Christians, we help all people especially help those who belong to the family of believers. Generosity and kindness to others are opportunities to earn eternal treasures for ourselves.

We look forward to that day when Christ returns and takes us to heaven.

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