Chapter 19

For some reason the Message has titled this chapter “If You Listen,”.

Now, I may disagree with this a little – to me it seems to be more about your money and business dealings than listening.

A brief refresher: When Solomon wrote this book, the word “Fool” was code for someone lacking in wisdom. More than that, though, it also implied that the person you were describing was in some ways wicked and/or lazy.

The word “fool” did a lot of work.

Anyway, this chapter is mostly about money and business ethics. It could also be about how to retain friendships!

The key message of this chapter, like many others before it, is that the values of the world are backwards.

The world values acquisistion; Proverbs says instead to value generosity.

The world values leisure; Proverbs says to be diligent.

The world values money; Proverbs values truth.

Typically, God turns conventional thinking on its head.