Pro 6 | MHCC | e4.org | 1-5 If we live as directed by the word of God, we shall find it profitable even in this present world. We are stewards of our worldly substance, and have to answer to the Lord for our disposal of it; to waste it in rash schemes, or such plans as may entangle us in difficulties and temptations, is wrong. A man ought never to be surety for more than he is able and willing to pay, and can afford to pay, without wronging his family; he ought to look upon every sum he is engaged for, as his own debt. If we must take all this care to get our debts to men forgiven, much more to obtain forgiveness with God. Humble thyself to him, make sure of Christ as thy Friend, to plead for thee; pray earnestly that thy sins may be pardoned, and that thou mayest be kept from going down to the pit.

‏ Proverbs 6

* Cautions against rash suretiship. (1-5) A rebuke to

slothfulness. (6-11) Seven things hateful to God. (12-19)

Exhortations to walk according to God's commandments. (20-35)

1-5 If we live as directed by the word of God, we shall find it

profitable even in this present world. We are stewards of our

worldly substance, and have to answer to the Lord for our

disposal of it; to waste it in rash schemes, or such plans as

may entangle us in difficulties and temptations, is wrong. A man

ought never to be surety for more than he is able and willing to

pay, and can afford to pay, without wronging his family; he

ought to look upon every sum he is engaged for, as his own debt.

If we must take all this care to get our debts to men forgiven,

much more to obtain forgiveness with God. Humble thyself to him,

make sure of Christ as thy Friend, to plead for thee; pray

earnestly that thy sins may be pardoned, and that thou mayest be

kept from going down to the pit. 6-11 Diligence in business is every man's wisdom and duty; not

so much that he may attain worldly wealth, as that he may not be

a burden to others, or a scandal to the church. The ants are

more diligent than slothful men. We may learn wisdom from the

meanest insects, and be shamed by them. Habits of indolence and

indulgence grow upon people. Thus life runs to waste; and

poverty, though at first at a distance, gradually draws near,

like a traveller; and when it arrives, is like an armed man, too

strong to be resisted. All this may be applied to the concerns

of our souls. How many love their sleep of sin, and their dreams

of worldly happiness! Shall we not seek to awaken such? Shall we

not give diligence to secure our own salvation? 12-19 If the slothful are to be condemned, who do nothing, much

more those that do all the ill they can. Observe how such a man

is described. He says and does every thing artfully, and with

design. His ruin shall come without warning, and without relief.

Here is a list of things hateful to God. Those sins are in a

special manner provoking to God, which are hurtful to the

comfort of human life. These things which God hates, we must

hate in ourselves; it is nothing to hate them in others. Let us

shun all such practices, and watch and pray against them; and

avoid, with marked disapproval, all who are guilty of them,

whatever may be their rank. 20-35 The word of God has something to say to us upon all

occasions. Let not faithful reproofs ever make us uneasy. When

we consider how much this sin abounds, how heinous adultery is

in its own nature, of what evil consequence it is, and how

certainly it destroys the spiritual life in the soul, we shall

not wonder that the cautions against it are so often repeated.

Let us notice the subjects of this chapter. Let us remember Him

who willingly became our Surety, when we were strangers and

enemies. And shall Christians, who have such prospects, motives,

and examples, be slothful and careless? Shall we neglect what is

pleasing to God, and what he will graciously reward? May we

closely watch every sense by which poison can enter our minds or

affections.