Our Favorite Proverbs: Proverbs 20:16

by David Chadwick

“Take a man's garment when he has put up security for a stranger, and hold it in pledge when he puts up security for foreigners.”

Proverbs 20:16

There is a vast array of wisdom found in the book of Proverbs. Immense knowledge offered on a multitude of topics. Everything from family to money to interpersonal relationships to personal success. God clearly places a high value on practical wisdom and the importance of living responsibly.

Today, we are going to look at another verse from Proverbs 20. Verse 16 is today’s proverb: “Take a man’s garment when he has put up security for a stranger, and hold it in pledge when he puts up security for foreigners.”

What is this saying? This verse is speaking to the importance of financial stewardship. Specifically times where you may be asked to put up a deposit or a pledge for another person’s debt. You may ask to give “security,” or “collateral,” for another person’s transaction, which means that if that person can’t pay the debt, you must. This proverb is giving a very strong warning: “Don’t do this!”

If you put up security for a foreigner, especially someone you don’t really know, you are inviting many potential problems into your own life.

The message is clear: manage your finances well. Be smart about your pledges and investments. Know the people you are investing in. Don’t become the security for someone who could end up leaving you in a heap of financial duress.

This is wisdom. It should be embraced, desired, and applied to your life.

Over time, you will find that your wise investments will yield a security of blessings for yourself and your family. Much like the miracle of compound interest—every seven years in the stock market, your investments most often double—the same holds true here. If you make wise investments, avoid taking on others’ debts, and make good choices, over time, your future is blessed.

Our Favorite Proverbs: Proverbs 20:14

by David Chadwick

“‘Bad, bad,’ says the buyer, but when he goes away, then he boasts.”

Proverbs 20:14

Today’s proverb addresses a financial exchange. A buyer of certain goods desires the purchase, but when bargaining for it, he derides the purchase and says that it is worth very little to drive the price down.

Let’s read it again together. “Bad, bad,” says the buyer; but when he goes away, then he boasts” (Proverbs 20:14).

The buyer starts off ridiculing the purchase. He scoffs at the cost and implies it is not valuable. After the purchase, however, the buyer’s words change. He begins to boast about its value and brag to others about how he fooled the buyer and stole the deal.

Subtly threaded through this verse is an insinuation of deception and hypocrisy. This buyer seemingly is handling his deal in a deceptive way and acting one way to the seller’s face and another way behind his back. But what is interesting to me is that this proverb doesn’t condemn the behavior; it just notes that it happens, often as part of business endeavors.

But the warning is clear: Beware of people’s words—especially when they want something you have. They may lie. They may twist your words. They may say one thing to your face and another behind your back.

An old 1970’s song by a band called The O’Jays says it well in their song “Back Stabbers.” Take a look at these lyrics: “They smilin’ in your face; all the time they want to take your place, the back stabbers.” This perfectly explains the people who smile to your face to get what they want and then stab you in the back.

What does all of this mean for us? How do we take the truths of today’s proverb and apply them to our lives?

We should seek to be people of integrity who are the same publicly and privately. We must be honest in our dealings and seek transparency. We should also make sure we carefully examine everyone’s words to explore true motives, which will train us to make wise decisions.

Our Favorite Proverbs: Proverbs 20:13

by David Chadwick

“Love not sleep, lest you come to poverty; open your eyes, and you will have plenty of bread.”

Proverbs 20:13

This is our final week of study through some of our favorite proverbs in the Bible. I pray that our time studying these verses has helped you gain practical wisdom for how to grow and thrive in every area of your life.

Proverbs 20:13 says, “Love not sleep, lest you come to poverty; open your eyes, and you will have plenty of bread.”

Before we unpack today’s verse, let me start by saying clearly that our culture is suffering from sleep deprivation. More and more studies are suggesting that we all need at least 7 to 8 hours of sleep daily for good health and to be able to function at peak capacity. As we age, this number jumps to 8 to 9 hours of sleep.

Our culture does not value wholeness, and it is becoming increasingly evident. Nervous system dysregulation is rampant. We are pushing ourselves to work, work, work, with little to no rest. It is healthy and necessary to make sure you get enough sleep!

But this proverb is addressing the fact that the more you sleep, the less time you have to work; and this attitude of laziness leads to poverty. A love for sleep rooted in health and wholeness is wonderful. A love for sleep because of laziness is sinful. As I so often say, “The heart of the matter is a matter of the heart.”

As followers of Jesus, we need to open our eyes to see opportunities to work hard. They are all around us. Then we must commit ourselves to hard work. As we do, God will reward our work. We “will have plenty of bread,” as stated in today’s proverb.

In fact, Paul said to the Thessalonian church, as they waited for Jesus’s return and did not work, that if they didn’t work, they wouldn't eat. Hunger is the best motivator for working hard to provide for human needs.

Let me sum it up simply. Work is good. Laziness is bad. Don’t lazily sleep your way to poverty! And hard work rightly done most often leads to blessings.