Teaching Notes

The Fear of the Lord

Proverbs 19:22-24 (The Message)

It's only human to want to make a buck, but it's better to be poor than a liar.
Fear-of-God is life itself, a full life, and serene—no nasty surprises.
Some people dig a fork into the pie but are too lazy to raise it to their mouth.

Notes: This Proverb or saying of wisdom is talking about greed.  It is talking about how many want to make money, but it is better to be poor that to sell yourself short and become a liar.  This kind of behavior is not becoming of one that wants to serve the Lord. 

Question: Why does the writer says that the fear of God is life?

Answer: To fear the Lord is where wisdom first starts.  It is not until we begin to respect God, reverence him, love him and adore him that we begin to seek his way regarding the things in our life.  When we do not fear God, then we do things which are not becoming to the Lord.  It we do not fear him we have a life full of "nasty surprises" or results from sinful behavior.  We also become lazy and do not even want to take care of things when we do not have the fear of God.  It takes the fear or reverence of God to help us want to do what is right before God.

Prayer: Lord today help me do what is right before you.  Help me to allow that reverence for you to direct everything I do.  Help me not to do what is wrong so that I can have things, but help me to be content even when I don't have if it is during my times of being obedient to you.  Help me to give you the respect you are do.