Welcome to 10 minute Bible Talks, where we connect the Bible to your life.

In the time it takes to get to work, I'm Keith Simon.

Misunderstanding proverbs can cost you your faith.

Here's the key that we just can't say too often.

Proverbs aren't promises.

Consider the following examples.

In Proverbs 10-4, it says,

lazy hands make for poverty,

but diligent hands bring wealth.

I mean, that's true, and that laziness usually does lead to worse outcomes than being hard

working but it's not always true is it it's not always true that hard work brings wealth

I'm sure we know people who have worked really

hard and still struggle financially, as well as lazy people who are still doing okay.

Or Proverbs 335, the wise inherent honor, but fools get only shame.

That's usually true, but not always.

Sometimes our world rewards foolishness, not wisdom.

So is the Bible promising that all who work hard will be rich?

Is the Bible promising that all who are wise will receive honor or is it stating general principles?

Anyone who has studied the book of Proverbs knows the answer. Proverbs itself

acknowledges that in a fallen world things often do not work out the way they should.

So my concern is that if we read the Proverbs as promises

we will be disappointed and feel like God has let us down.

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