By Mike Riley
The following barbs of wisdom come from The Sword and Staff publication, 2009, Volume 47, Number 1; pg. 17 (appropriate Scriptures and related articles have been added):
• You reap what you sow, and also you reap what you don’t sow (you suffer the consequences of not doing anything – Matthew 25:24-30).
• When a nation has lost its morals, it has lost its moors and is like a ship adrift at sea.
• According to the book of Proverbs, a child may be foolish and if not corrected will grow up to become a full-fledged fool (Proverbs 15:5).
• We only help people, in the long run, when we help them to help themselves.
• We lose our independence and liberties to the degree that we do not accept our responsibilities (Gal. 5:1).
• After the cattle have gotten out, it is a little late to think about shutting the gate.
• If deeds speak louder than words, some people aren’t saying much and can hardly be heard.
• Let us not look to psychiatry as the answer to our spiritual problems, but to the Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16-17; Acts 20:32; cf. Acts 9:26-31).
• Many “mega” churches don’t seem to be “mega” when it comes to doctrine.
• If we confess our sins, but don’t forsake them (Proverbs 28:13), the only purpose it will serve is testimony against us in the courts of heaven.
• Many times, the person who has the least to say is the most eager to say it (Proverbs 17:28; cf. Proverbs 10:19; Proverbs 11:12; Proverbs 13:3).
• If we don’t live within our means, we will soon find life demeaning (Luke 15:11-16). If you don’t take that first strong drink, you won’t have to worry about the consequences of the second, of the third, and of all that follow.
• People who have “an ax to grind” don’t cut it with the Lord (Romans 12:18-19; Colossians 3:8).
• If you want to find your place under the sun, move on out from under the shade and get to work (1 Corinthians 15:58; cf. 1 Corinthians 3:6-9).