Proverbs Day 11: “Generosity as a Posture”
Scripture:
"Give freely and become more wealthy; be stingy and lose everything. The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed." – Proverbs 11:24-25 (NLT)
Reflection:
Generosity as a posture means being open-handed and responsible with the resources God has entrusted to us. It’s not about reckless giving but about intentional stewardship that allows us to support others. When we give, we position ourselves to both bless and be blessed.
Generosity often brings reciprocal kindness and care. Paul encouraged the Philippians with this truth: “My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).
At times, the problem isn’t a lack of resources but a lack of management. Stewardship is key to Kingdom living and extending God’s work in our lives and communities.
Let’s practice intentional generosity and Kingdom stewardship.
Questions to Reflect On:
- How well am I stewarding the resources God has entrusted to me?
- Are there areas where I need to grow in managing what God has entrusted to me?
Prayer:
Lord, help me to be a good steward of the resources entrusted to me. May I always have a generous posture toward my family and community. Teach me to give intentionally and refresh others as You have refreshed me. Amen.
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Proverbs Day 12: “There’s No Such Thing as a Free Lunch”
Scripture:
"Work hard and become a leader; be lazy and become a slave. Lazy people don’t even cook the game they catch, but the diligent make use of everything they find." – Proverbs 12:24, 27 (NLT)
Reflection:
The saying, “There’s no such thing as a free lunch,” reminds us that every choice we make has a cost. Laziness often leads to missed opportunities, wasted resources, and dependence on others, while diligence positions us for success and leadership.
There is no guarantee that by working hard we will always prosper. Scripture acknowledges that hardworking people can still suffer loss, and at times, evil people may seem to thrive. However, the general principle remains true: laziness pulls a person toward poverty, while diligence moves them in the right direction.
Proverbs emphasizes intentional stewardship—making the most of the time, talents, and resources God has entrusted to us. Diligence is not just about working hard but about working wisely, maximising every opportunity to honor God and serve others.
Questions to Reflect On:
- Am I managing my time and resources effectively, or could I improve my stewardship?
- Which areas of my life require greater diligence and intentionality?
Prayer:
Lord, help me to be a faithful steward of the talents, time, and resources You’ve given me. Teach me to embrace discipline and diligence, using all I have to glorify You and serve others. Amen.
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Proverbs Day 13: “Trusting Through the Delay”
Scripture:
"Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a dream fulfilled is a tree of life." – Proverbs 13:12 (NLT)
Reflection:
Hope is the expectation that something good will happen. When delays occur, it can leave us feeling frustrated, doubting ourselves, and even questioning God. These moments of waiting are difficult, yet they are opportunities to deepen our faith and trust in Him.
On the other hand, when our hopes are fulfilled, our souls are refreshed, and we experience great joy. While life’s delays are challenging, one hope will never fail—the hope we have in Jesus and the promise of eternity with Him.
"This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls." – Hebrews 6:19 (NLT)
Questions to Reflect On:
- How do I respond during times of delay—do I draw closer to God or drift away?
- Are my thoughts and words uplifting when things don’t go as planned?
- Do I find my ultimate hope in Jesus, even when life is uncertain?
Prayer:
Lord, during times of delay and disappointment, help me to cling to Your promises and trust that all things work together for my good. Anchor my hope in You, and let my soul find peace in Your unchanging love. Amen.
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Proverbs Day 14: “Getting Your Hands Dirty – The Only Way”
Scripture:
"Without oxen a stable stays clean, but you need a strong ox for a large harvest." – Proverbs 14:4 (NLT)
"Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the realm of the dead, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom." – Ecclesiastes 9:10 (NIV)
Reflection:
Growth and productivity require effort, investment, and sometimes dealing with inconvenience. A clean stable may seem appealing, but without oxen—the tools for the harvest—there’s no productivity. This proverb reminds us that the cost of the right tools and the effort required for progress are always worth it.
Ecclesiastes 9:10 adds a sobering truth: there will come a time when we can no longer work, plan, or grow. This life is our opportunity to put in the effort, embrace challenges, and do all we can with what God has given us. Whatever your hand finds to do, give it your full effort now, knowing that our days are limited.
Whether it’s investing in new skills, working through challenges, or committing to hard work, the only way to achieve a harvest is by getting your hands dirty and putting in the work while you still can.
Let’s work with all our might today, knowing that the time to grow and labor is now, while we still can.
Questions to Reflect On:
- Am I willing to invest in the tools, skills, or resources needed for growth, even if they come with challenges?
- Do I avoid tasks or responsibilities because they seem messy or inconvenient?
- In what areas of my life do I need to put in my full effort now, knowing the opportunity won’t last forever?
- Am I prepared to embrace the effort and challenges required for meaningful progress?
Prayer:
Lord, thank You for the gift of work and the opportunities You have given me. Help me to embrace the effort and challenges required for growth, knowing that this life is my opportunity to labor for Your glory. Grant me wisdom to sharpen my skills and tools and to use my time and resources wisely. May I put in my full effort now, honoring You in all I do. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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Proverbs Day 15: “Cause for Pause”
Scripture:
"The Lord is watching everywhere, keeping his eye on both the evil and the good." – Proverbs 15:3 (NLT)
"Even Death and Destruction hold no secrets from the Lord. How much more does he know the human heart!" – Proverbs 15:11 (NLT)
Reflection:
The Sunday School song, “Be careful little mouth what you say,” reminds us of an important truth: God sees everything, hears everything, and knows everything. The song also encourages us to be mindful of what our eyes see and our ears hear, for God is watching, and nothing is hidden from Him. This truth should give us pause before allowing anything dishonoring to enter our minds or come from our mouths.
Even the earliest Christians learned this lesson. Ananias and Sapphira thought they could hide their sin, but the Lord exposed their hypocrisy, and it cost them their lives (Acts 5:1-11). On the other hand, God also sees the good we do and honors it.
Rather than trying to hide, we are called to bring everything into the light. Psalm 139:23-24 says:
"Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life."
It’s our responsibility to guard what we say, see, and hear, confess our sins, and ask God to examine our hearts, allowing Him to guide us on His path.
Let’s live transparently before God, guarding our speech, sight, and hearing, knowing that He sees all and lovingly guides us.
Questions to Reflect On:
- How is my conduct—both in speech and deed—when no one is watching?
- Are there things I’m hiding from God that I need to confess to Him today?
- Do I welcome God’s guidance in my life, even when it reveals things I need to change?
- How can I make Psalm 139:23-24 a regular part of my prayer life?
Prayer:
Lord, I confess my sins to You today and ask that You examine my heart. Search me and know me, point out anything that offends You, and lead me along the path of everlasting life. Help me to guard what I say, see, and hear, so that my life honors You. May Psalm 139:23-24 always be the prayer of my heart. Amen.