On Temper & Charity – Proverbs 19

Two main topics seems to catch my attention as I read chapter 19 of the book of Proverbs. That’s just how God works, isn’t it? You can read a passage over and over at different times in your life, yet get different emphasis or meaning from what you read. That’s the living nature of God’s Word:

11 People with good sense restrain their anger; they earn esteem by overlooking wrongs.

19 Short-tempered people must pay their own penalty. If you rescue them once, you will have to do it again.

The book of Proverbs has quite a bit to say about anger and tempers. I like verse 11 where it says, “they earn esteem by overlooking wrongs.” This is so contrary to our human nature when in the midst of a potentially angry moment. Our first reaction is to lash out or get even. But in order to earn esteem (which can be defined as “favorable opinion or judgment; respect or regard), it’s best to overlook wrongs of others.

There’s another verse that jumped off the pages in today’s chapter:

7 If you help the poor, you are lending to the LORD and he will repay you!

I have never seen it this way before. This really spoke to me and reminded me of Jesus’ words from Matthew 25 concerning the day of judgment when the King will reply, “I assure you, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!”

Thank you for the reminders about temper and charity today, Lord. Help me to always honor you with my actions and words, and with my resources. -amen

peace,
e