Noah Webster wrote, ‘The virtues of men are of more consequence to society than their abilities, and for this reason, the heart should be cultivated with more assiduity than the head.” Proverbs 10 shows how wisdom and character bless a person’s life while foolishness ruins them.
Righteousness and Wisdom
Righteousness and wisdom bring joy to your father, deliver from death, make rich, gives the ability to plan ahead, a blessed memory, receive commands and walk with integrity and security. In contrast, a fool brings grief to his mother, does not profit, has unsatisfied cravings, offers negligence and poverty, is shameful and lazy, conceals violence, is a forgotten name, is thrown down, has perverted ways and causes trouble (Prov. 10:1-10). The righteous prospers in all areas of life because he or she walks in integrity.
Tongue
A righteous tongue is like a fountain of life that covers all transgression, provides discernment and wisdom and stores up knowledge. In contrast, a wicked tongue conceals violence, stirs up strife, lacks understanding and spreads ruin (Prov. 10:11-14). A righteous tongue provides life through forgiveness, discernment and knowledge.
Finances
The rich trusts in his wealth and the poor are ruined through poverty. The wages of the righteous is life. The income of the wicked is punishment. The Lord ‘s blessing makes rich and adds no sorrow to it (Prov. 10:15-16,22). The righteous experience the Lord’s blessings of life, riches and peace.
Wise Versus Fool
Characteristics of Wise:
1. Restrain their lips
2. Feed many like choice silver
3. Heeds instruction
4. Has understanding
5. Desires are granted
6. Eternal foundation
7. Fear of the Lord
8. Prolonged life
9. Hope
10. Gladness
11. Way of Lord is stronghold
12. Unshaken
13. Mouth flows with wisdom
14. Mouth brings acceptable things
The wise experience abundant life in ministering to others and trusting God.
Characteristics of Fool:
1. Sins with many words
2. Unworthy heart
3. Dies for lack of understanding
4. Goes astray by forsaking reproof
5. Conceals hatred with lying lips
6. Spreads slander
7. Doing wickedness
8. Fears come upon him
9. Lazy like vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes
10. Shortened life
11. Expectation perishes
12. Way of Lord is ruin
13. Not dwell in land
14. Perverted tongue cut out (Prov. 10:17-32)
The fool experiences lack because their words hurt others and come to ruin.
Which characteristics of the wise do you want to experience?
Which characteristics of the fool do you want to avoid?
Ask God for wisdom and to protect you from foolishness.
