“At thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore” (Ps. 16: 11) Growing Dominion, Part 138 “He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor” (Prov. 22:9). The duty of almsgiving is assumed in this text, and it is reinforced with the promise of blessing for …
Down Hill
“At thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore” (Ps. 16: 11) Growing Dominion, Part 137 “The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender” (Prov. 22:7). And things fall down when you drop them. This proverb is simply an observation on the way things are. We do not here …
Tangible Blessing
“At thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore” (Ps. 16: 11) Growing Dominion, Part 136 “By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, and honour, and life” (Prov. 22:4). Because we have all learned our Gnostic catechism responses, our tendency is to immediately spiritualize the lesson. By humility and the fear of …
Anticipation as Wisdom
“At thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore” (Ps. 16: 11) Growing Dominion, Part 135 “A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished” (Prov. 22:3). Short term thinkers and long term thinkers are as apparent in the world of business as anywhere else. “What is …
Different Kinds of Poverty
“At thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore” (Ps. 16: 11) Growing Dominion, Part 134 “The rich and poor meet together: the Lord is the maker of them all” (Prov. 22:2). Given the fallen nature of the world, the vision for a classless society is a rebellious one. Jesus famously said that we would …
Worth More Than a Fortune
“At thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore” (Ps. 16: 11) Growing Dominion, Part 133 “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold” (Prov. 22:1). Proverbs is filled with hypothetical alternatives. It is better to have this than to have that. It is …
Without Stinting
“At thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore” (Ps. 16: 11) Growing Dominion, Part 132 “The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour. He coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and spareth not” (Prov. 21:25-26). One of the things that Proverbs is known for—a major …
Enjoying What You Have
“At thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore” (Ps. 16: 11) Growing Dominion, Part 131 “There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up” (Prov. 21:20). This is also a commonplace in Proverbs. The ability to say no to yourself is an …
A Commonplace in Proverbs
“At thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore” (Ps. 16: 11) Growing Dominion, Part 130 “He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich” (Prov. 21:17). This is a commonplace in the book of Proverbs. Take your pick—luxury and self-indulgence, and poverty with it, …
The Problem of the Bribe
“At thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore” (Ps. 16: 11) Growing Dominion, Part 129 “A gift in secret pacifieth anger: and a reward in the bosom strong wrath” (Prov. 21:14). This sounds an awful lot like a bribe, and it does so because it probably is one. One possibility about this verse is …