Continuing our acquisition of Common Sense, we open our Bibles to Proverbs 19:3-4.
Proverbs 19:3 offers us insight into the mind and heart of the foolish. Solomon examines two characteristics of a fool [one who is silly and whose path is folly].
Proverbs 19:3 – “The foolishness [silliness; folly] of man perverteth [distorts; overthrow] his way [journey]: and his heart [mind; thoughts; seat of his feelings] fretteth [rage; be troubled] against the LORD.”
The fool has a distorted view of life. His heart, thoughts and emotions rage against the LORD [Jehovah–Eternal; Self-existent God]. He is double minded (James 1:8; 4:8), denying His Creator in his heart and thoughts (Psalm 14:1), while blaming God and others for his woes.
A second parable offers a lesson in friendship—contrasting the rich and the poor.
Proverbs 19:4 – “Wealth [riches; possessions] maketh [adds to; increases] many friends [companions]; but the poor [needy; helpless] is separated [scattered; dispersed] from his neighbour [companion; friend].”
Solomon warns his son that riches and possessions are like magnets—they attract many friends. Wealth buys friends; however, they are temperamental, shallow friends. Friends whose aspirations are self-centered, motivated by what they can gain. While “friends” flatter the wealthy, the poor find themselves the bane of society. Poverty and economic woes can separate a man from friends and family. Why? Poverty is not inviting and economic failure is lonely.
The parable of the Prodigal son comes to mind when I ponder Proverbs 19:3-4. The Prodigal was a proud, disobedient, rebellious son (Luke 15:11-32). Setting his heart on the world and its lascivious ways, he despised his father, demanded his inheritance and left home (Luke 15:12-13). He was the life of the party until he wasted all his father had given him (Luke 15:13b-14). With no money, friends or hope—the prodigal found himself impoverished and estranged from his father (Luke 15:14-16). Financially destitute and spiritually broken, a longing arose within the heart of the prodigal to return to his father’s house (Luke 15:15-19). Drawing near to home, the prodigal greeted his father with a confession of sin and unworthiness, while the father greeted his son with Grace, Love, and Forgiveness (Luke 15:20-24).
There are some things money cannot buy, for they are too precious to affix a price. Money cannot buy GRACE…for it is GIVEN freely and not based on merit. Money cannot buy LOVE, for biblical love calls for an act of self-sacrifice. Money cannot buy FORGIVENESS, for it is imparted as an act of freewill.
If your life is graced by a friend whose love is enduring, matchless and true–you are blessed! For Christians, such a friend is found in Jesus Christ whose love for sinners held Him to the cross as He died for the sins of the world.
Romans 5:8-9 – “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.”
Ephesians 2:8-9 – “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.”