LIVING BY FAITH Lesson 11 for March 14, 2015

Christians should live by faith. We must do what God has told us to do Christians should live by faith. We must do what God has told us to do. We must trust Him, since He will lead the consequences when we act according to His will. LIVING BY FAITH: Keeping the law. Proverbs 28:4, 7, 9. Understanding all things. Proverbs 28:5. PRACTICAL EXAMPLES: If you are wealthy: Proverbs 28:8, 19, 20, 22, 24, 27. If you are poor: Proverbs 28:3, 6; 29:13. If you teach others: Proverbs 29:15.

How can the Law help us in our life here? KEEPING THE LAW “Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, but such as keep the law contend with them.” (Proverbs 28:4) “Whoever keeps the law is a discerning son, but a companion of gluttons shames his father.” (Proverbs 28:7) “One who turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination.” (Proverbs 28:9) The first principle of a faith life is to accept the directions God gives us for living our life: the Law. How can the Law help us in our life here? First, she helps us to distinguish right from wrong so we can make good decisions. In addition, she gives us practical life guidelines on all we are (food, rest, relationships, family…)

UNDERSTANDING ALL THINGS “Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the Lord understand all.” (Proverbs 28:5) Proverbs 28:4 Those who forsake the law Praise the wicked But such as keep the law Contend with them Proverbs 28:5 Evil men Do not understand justice But those who seek the Lord Understand all 1 2 3 4 Those who don’t follow the law cannot distinguish right and wrong (points 1 and 2). They praise those who shouldn’t be praised and they cannot understand the perfect justice. The law is our “tutor” (point 3). She guides us towards God (Galatians 3:24). God then (point 4) will give us judgment so we can resist the wicked and we can understand “all”.

IF YOU ARE WEALTHY… “One who increases his possessions by usury and extortion gathers it for him who will pity the poor.” (Proverbs 28:8) Our Father owns all the riches of this world. Living by faith involves following the principles He gave us on gaining wealth and using it properly. Don’t get rich at the expense of the poor (Proverbs 28:8) Work hard (Proverbs 28:19) Don’t try to get rich quickly By sinning (Proverbs 28:20) By being miser (Proverbs 28:22) Or by robbing your parents (Proverbs 28:24) Give to the poor (Proverbs 28:27)

Is living by faith easier or harder if you are poor? “Better is the poor who walks in his integrity than one perverse in his ways, though he be rich.” (Proverbs 28:6) Is living by faith easier or harder if you are poor? Poverty never justifies any sin. The poor have the same duties the rich have (Proverbs 28:3) The moral qualities of a person are not measured by their wealth. The righteous poor are better than the wicked rich (Proverbs 28:6) God gives life and takes care of both the rich and the poor. We all must respect and love each other. We are all equal, rich and poor (Proverbs 29:13)

“Some who profess to believe the truth are lacking in discernment and fail to appreciate moral worth… They may have money and property, and this is sufficient to give them influence with some; but it will not raise them one jot in favor with God. Money has power and sways a mighty influence. Excellence of character and moral worth are often overlooked if possessed by the poor man. But what does God care for money, for property? The cattle upon a thousand hills are His. The world and all that is therein are His. The inhabitants of the earth are as grasshoppers before Him. Men and property are but as the small dust of the balance. He is no respecter of persons.” E.G.W. (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 1, cp. 94, pg. 536)

IF YOU TEACH OTHERS… “The rod and rebuke give wisdom, but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.” (Proverbs 29:15) When a tree begins to bend, it must be straightened. That tree is “punished” by tying it to a stick. That corrective action is not meant to damage the tree, but to benefit it. People is like that tree. The bad things in our character must be “punished”, so we can change our wrong behavior. If we never say “No” to a child as he grows up, we will be ruining his life. He will embarrass those around him.

E.G.W. (Counsels to Parents, Teachers and Students; cp. 13; pg. 116) “The mother may ask, ‘Shall I never punish my child?’ Whipping may be necessary when other resorts fail; yet she should not use the rod if it is possible to avoid doing so. But if milder measures prove insufficient, punishment that will bring the child to its senses should in love be administered. Frequently one such correction will be enough for a lifetime, to show the child that he does not hold the lines of control.” E.G.W. (Counsels to Parents, Teachers and Students; cp. 13; pg. 116)

“Oh, that the Eli’s of today, who are everywhere to be found pleading excuses for the waywardness of their children, would promptly assert their own God-given authority to restrain and correct them. Let parents and guardians, who overlook and excuse sin in those under their care, remember that they thus become accessory to these wrongs. If, instead of unlimited indulgence, the chastening rod were oftener used, not in passion, but with love and prayer, we would see happier families and a better state of society.” E.G.W. (Child Guidance, cp. 47, pg. 276)