King Solomon, known as the wisest man in the world wrote and coauthored biblical text giving instruction on wisdom and Godly living. Proverbs, King Solomon’s first book, contains prose and poetry and to note wrote by a young King Solomon. Proverbs 21: 5 reveals, “The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty” (New International Version). Proverbs 16:16-17 affirms, “How much better to get wisdom than gold, to get insight rather than silver! The highway of the upright avoids evil; those who guard their ways preserve their lives”. This essay provides insight of these verses meaning and its blessing to one that adheres its principles.
Biblical Integration
Wisdom:
Proverbs 16:16-17 affirms, “How much better to get wisdom than gold, to get insight rather than silver. The highway of the upright avoids evil; those who guard their ways preserve their lives”. Wisdom is priceless, a value that is immeasurable. Insight gives one the clarity in any situation and guides one through their decision making. Living a life of wisdom prevents the upright from evil and helps preserve their life. To gain wisdom and insight gives courage and excitement. Proverbs 4:7 expounds, “Wisdom is supreme—so get wisdom. And whatever else you get, get understanding” (Holman Christian Standard Bible). One looks forward to the future with an expected hope, and faith that God’s blessings will meet them wherever God leads with abundance. When one uses the lessons from Proverbs as the model one receives the wisdom and the spiritual growth from practice.
Integrity:
Proverbs 21:5 affirms “haste leads to poverty” which is a direct result of lack of integrity. Integrity holds one accountable for actions and demands preparation and e...
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... the next Hemmingway; we must all keep integrity and persevere. Practicing to be a student of integrity helps us all to a student of God. Exemplifying integrity means learning to follow God’s will. The key is to go to the source.
Time Management
Proverbs 21:5 first mentions “the plans” meaning one must make a plan. Through time management, one can appoint a plan and course of action for each class. The success of each student depends on plans for studying and completing assignments. Proverbs 21:5 furthers that the one who plans becomes “the diligent”. Time management requires two things: a plan and diligence. The benefit of time management is that it allows one realistically to see what time is available to commit to one’s school life. In order for one to become the diligent a plan is necessary and respecting that plan and time allotted leads to overall profit.
The two words, wisdom, and folly are inseparable; they cannot be away from each other. Folly is the act of having the knowledge of the benefits of making a good choice, but rather choosing the wrong or foolish decision. Diligence is the act of being aware of something. Therefore, one who often postpones activities and comes up with excuses is lazy (Hindson & Yates, 2012). The Hebrew wisdom books of Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Songs of Songs, and Psalms covers teachings on diligence, folly, wisdom, and laziness. Proverbs explains the differences between wisdom and folly as well as diligence and laziness clearly.
Integrity is a topic that people are excited to talk about. It seems to be a commodity that is in short supply. I feel that this is because integrity is a more complex matter then honesty. It takes more work to conduct yourself with integrity then simple honesty. Carter says that integrity requires three things. First you have to be able to discern between wrong and right. Second you have to act on what you discern. Lastly, you must be able to say that you are acting on your understanding of right and wrong (Carter 74). In my opinion, these steps required a person truly consider a situation and ensures that person’s integrity is steadfast and trustworthy. Without these steps “a person may be entirely honest without ever engaging in the hard work of discernment that integrity requires” (Carter 74).
The stronger will do anything in their power to make a profit, leaving the weak with nothing. Kuyper says, “…the more powerful exploited the weaker by means of a weapon against which there was no defense” (Kuyper, Abraham, and James W. Skillen 26). Additionally, he states that “…the idolization of money killed the nobility in the human heart” (Kuyper, Abraham, and James W. Skillen 31). Kuyper talks about how Jesus felt bad for the rich and sided with the poor (Kuyper, Abraham, and James W. Skillen 32). Matthew 6:19-21 says, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Earthly materials mean nothing because the real treasure awaits in
Henry, Matthew. "Proverbs 31." Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible. Vol. III. McLean, Virg.: MacDonald, 1991. 971-77. Print.
“Grant me the strength, time and opportunity always to correct what I have acquired, always to extend its domain; for knowledge is immense and the spirit of man can extend indefinitely to enrich itself daily with new requirements.” - Oath of Maimonides
Proverbs 1:20-33 is a climactic telling of what happens to those who do not fear the Lord and seek knowledge as said in Proverbs 1:7. Wisdom is not just talked about in the first chapter, but found throughout the book of Proverbs. Throughout there is also a common theme about what will happen to those who do not choose wisdom. This pericope is basically a set up for the rest of the book in regards to what happens to those who do not choose wisdom. Wisdom is also personified as a woman. Woman wisdom will seek after those who are simple and hate knowledge with patience for only so long; once she has had enough she will present to them one last option that is severe in hopes that they will change their ways.
“The beautiful words of Jesus, spoken so long ago, yet as we sing them over, dearer to us they grow, calling the heavy laden, calling to hearts oppressed, come unto me, ye weary!” This excerpt taking from the hymn the “Beautiful words of Jesus” perfectly sums up yet assures as the memorability of Christ’s words throughout his ministry. This very man who came into this world as a slave, who never attended any Ivy League school had the greatest mind this world has ever known. The words of his heavenly mind engraved in the Holy Bible speak truth and nothing but the truth. It is his words which we stand on today as Christians, that give us the blueprint in which we live and function. Most certainly his words are even at its best through the parables he spoke unto the people. The parables conveyed a powerful message, as he used them in counsel to the people of that time period, his disciples and even to us till this day. From his parables it is quite evident to pick out the top four things that Jesus talks about in scripture which I will do a thorough studies in this paper.
Proverbs 16:9: The mind of a man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.
In discovering the absence of a favorable virtue, it does not make it meaningless, but instead increasingly meaningful. With the ability of imperfection, there is time for mistake and room for progress. An improvement period is an ongoing, unending process; one may keep advancing their knowledge of integrity and assessing how to create their personalized approach at potential. Potential can fail occasionally, but there is ability to try again and again, until satisfied. Growth, commitment, fairness, and honesty are similarly far from a human’s vision, but with the aid of some glasses, with the aid of trial, error, time, and desire, a better potential is easily in sight.
When one walks in integrity one will always need to know when one must need to assess the current situation in make the right decision for oneself and the company or organization that one works for. A leader will always “feel that gut-wrenching, darker side of human behavior whether it concerns plagiarism, dishonesty, cheating, bias and apathy, one will and is not immune.” (Cipriano, 2015, p. #). As a leader one must still use good judgement on the decisions that we make as leaders, there is a scripture that says “and of perfect men is the strong food, who because of the use are having the senses exercised, unto the discernment both of good and of evil.” (YLT Hebrews 5:14) When we walk in integrity we lead by example. When we are honest as leader’s others will follow. For example, a lady while working as a contract worker for a hospital was one day asked to go to lunch with one of her co-workers, and while going to lunch she said, “hey let’s have a drink, we are at lunch no one will know.” Although this may have been true if she would have yielded and said yes she later could have affected not only her position at work but also her patients. Walking in integrity as a leader not only edifies one’s self but also everyone who is connected to him or
According to Fleishman (1981), outlined in O’Leary’s book, a person with integrity, genuinely, wants to do the right thing in all situation evidenced by the steps they take. The conflict may arise because there is no one code of conduct for society, therefore, the person is left to their own devices and moral fiber to figure out the steps (O’Leary, 2014).
Integrity is the quality of being honest. When you are honest about something or a certain situation you are considered a person of integrity. Also when you have integrity you have strong moral principles. When you have strong moral principles you know what is right and what is wrong. “Having integrity means doing the right thing in a reliable way. It's a personality trait that we admire, since it means a person has a moral compass that doesn't waver. It literally means having "wholeness" of character, just as an integer is a "whole number" with no fractions.” Furthermore, having integrity is a quality that many strive to have because it often means that you are a good person.
Awareness of how God is working through the people and events in my life to produce the character of Christ in me (Proverbs 23:17–18)
In the books of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, the contrast between diligence and laziness and wisdom and folly is heavily emphasized. The books teach that in order to live righteously one must seek wisdom and live diligently. They also teach that foolish living can come from being lazy or from being imprudent. The righteous will be blessed by God while the foolish will come to their own ruin. The books of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes commend the wise and diligent and condemn the lazy and foolish.
In conclusion, integrity is a vital part of all our lives. Without a basic human integrity, we are animals. Integrity defines how we live, and who we are. Are we good people? Is our neighborhood safe? Is our college a great place to live? When trying to answer these questions, you first look at the integrity. In life and in death, a man will always be defined by his integrity. Is this neighborhood safe for me to my family to? Is this college a good one to send my child to? These questions are constantly being asked, and the answer always lies in integrity.