Introduction
Good day to all! Let us delve into Proverbs chapter 3. Proverbs, also known as the Book of Wisdom, holds the key to enhancing one’s intelligence. There are many foolish individuals in this world. Where does this foolishness originate? It stems from a person's limited understanding and knowledge, coupled with a lack of learning and progress. They hastily assume their correctness and, most critically, follow their inner impulses, firmly believing in their perceptions, ultimately leading to foolishness.
As we explore Proverbs chapter 3, we will examine if this holds true. I believe the entire chapter revolves around a central theme: Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. The title of this chapter could be Trust in the Lord with All Your Heart, which contrasts with relying on one’s own intelligence.
Why should we trust in the Lord with all our hearts? Why should we not rely on our own intelligence? The reason is simple: everything in this world is under God's control. Your life and everything you have are under His dominion. If one pleases God, other problems are easily resolved. However, the issue arises that we humans always have our own thoughts, which are deeply ingrained in our hearts as if they were undeniable truths.
Cultivating the habit of trusting in the Lord with all one's heart is exceedingly difficult. Oh, trust in God? How can that be of any practical use? In truth, many find themselves in dire circumstances, cursing God and asking, God, why has this happened? Why have these things befallen me? But who is to blame? You walked into these circumstances; whom can you blame? It is essential to recognize that God is in control of everything.
If you ask, Does God control demons? Of course, God controls demons. Demons must also seek permission from God to carry out their actions. Not only must they seek His permission, but God also frequently assigns tasks to demons. We cannot distinguish between demons and angels. Some may ask, Are these lesser angels? Are these lesser demons? These demons do not obey God's commands and engage in wicked deeds. It is important to remember that both angels and demons are created by God.
He has made everything beautiful in its time. Consider the God we believe in: He established the earth by wisdom, and by understanding He established the heavens. By His knowledge the deeps were broken open, and the skies drop down dew. If we rely on Him, what could be the problem? If we genuinely rely on Him, there is no issue. I lament that it is exceedingly difficult to persuade people, especially those with limited knowledge and those who are disinclined to learn, to trust in the Lord with all their hearts. For example, in rural communities, neighbors often quarrel over trivial matters, such as sweeping snow onto the other’s property. These individuals possess limited qualities and narrow perspectives. How wonderful it would be if people would trust in the Lord with all their hearts!
Recently, a news story in Singapore highlighted the problems faced by residents of landed properties. If you live in a landed property and wish to relocate, the process is arduous. Moving from one place to another can be challenging. They encountered a troublesome neighbor who suffered from mental illness and would stand in their yard, shouting and cursing incessantly. Everyone in the vicinity could hear his broadcasts daily, and even the police were unable to resolve the issue. He retorted, Can you dictate what I do in my own yard? Such situations are deeply frustrating.
Some families with school-age children are subjected to this constant stream of profanities, and even police intervention proves futile. The police are often powerless to deal with such disturbances caused by individuals with mental illness. Some may encounter such situations, while others may not, and those who do are truly unfortunate. What can one control in such circumstances? In reality, you can control nothing. You cannot control when you are born or when you die. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. For our God can control everything.
Sometimes, we encounter situations that others do not, and vice versa. Is this not intriguing? It is best to avoid such situations, as they can cause distress. The fewer such encounters one has in life, the fewer troubles one will face. If you trust in the Lord with all your heart, can God address these issues? God can address these issues, but you must acknowledge Him in all your ways, and He will direct your paths.
Do you desire to become wise? Some say they dream of becoming wise, and that is wisdom itself. There are many things one needs to know to become wise, but they are vastly different from our internal thoughts. I will read to you the accounts recorded in the Bible one by one, and you will understand what it means to trust in the Lord with all your heart. I will not follow the order of the scriptures; instead, I will follow my own summarized sequence.
Honor God with Your Wealth and the Firstfruits of All Your Produce
What do you rely on in life? This can be clearly seen in financial matters. Man's desire for money is straightforward, but no one enjoys living in poverty. This is the truth. Some may say, I trust in the Lord, and I live in poverty. In reality, these two are unrelated. No one wants to live in poverty, but many prefer to rely on themselves and do not rely on God.
Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine (Proverbs 3:9-10).
There was a pastor who shepherded over forty individuals in a church, and I greatly admired him. He ministered to people from mainland China who came to Singapore to study and work. I commented on how impressive he was, while I was struggling with only a handful of people. Later on, I observed how he managed things. I inquired, How many of the forty-plus individuals in your church contribute tithes? He responded, Only two. I exclaimed, You have over forty people, and only two contribute tithes? What is the matter?
Later, I discovered that all forty-plus individuals would come when he made dumplings, while only seven or eight would attend regular gatherings. Ah! A group of gluttons. Then I understood the difficulty of the situation! You know, in my life's decisions, I often make choices. When I first believed in the Lord, an elder Christian taught me and began by discussing tithes. All was fine until the topic of money arose, which caused unease. After the lesson, as I walked home, all I could think about was the tithe, which felt like cutting out one’s heart, liver, and lungs!
Can everyone understand? When a non-believer suddenly begins to believe in the Lord, and the first thing they encounter is a discussion about money, it feels truly uncomfortable! After much struggle, my logic was simple. Everyone understands this feeling, right? Because you have had the same experience as me. Before I arrived home, I made a decision, and I make decisions quite quickly. I told myself, I will never improve if I rely on myself. At the time, my income was below the poverty level in Singapore. People referred to such individuals as low-wage workers. After giving a tenth, there was little left.
Everyone should know that low-wage earners have little remaining after giving tithes. However, I thought to myself: I cannot depend on myself. I liked that job, but that job did not choose me. Then, there was no response from up or the bottom. What a situation. At the time, I did not have enough money. I made a decision to rely on God, to give the tithe, no less than a tenth, only more. It was usually slightly more than the last few digits of my income. This matter suddenly made me wise. I tell you, regarding this thing of giving, it had to be done firmly. I decided to tithe.
Once I decided to tithe, it was extraordinary. Blessings poured down like the windows of heaven were open. My salary increased quickly. Do you ask why it jumped so fast? It was God blessing me. God gave me wisdom and intelligence, and matters that came into my hands were truly resolved. Understand that this was not my wisdom or my intelligence, but God opening His wisdom. Since then, I have been very blessed in my work. As time has passed, I have increasingly come to believe that giving is a very blessed thing.
If you tell me, Pastor! I give, you do not need to demonstrate it to me. Demonstrating it to me is useless. If God considers the offering invalid because of the demonstration, what a hassle it will be. You must understand that you should honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce. Then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine. God does not lack your offerings. Does God live off RMB or USD? God needs nothing. I made it a habit. Usually, after selling a house, some offer a tithe, others do not. However, I know that not many people take a tenth of the money they made from selling a house to offer as a tithe.
Some time ago, a sister wanted to sell her house, and she asked me whether she should sell it, roughly seven to eight million. This was a few years ago. I said: If you see the time is right, you can sell; if not, do not sell. And the price of the house went up quickly. Last year, it was sold for twelve million. In fact, God had already added a tenth to it. Do you all know that? The buyer was out of luck, because she bought it at the highest price. I am telling everyone don't rely on your wealth. Don’t think that it is a pity to give money from the sale of the house as a donation. Do not have a wrong idea. Can money save you? It is in fact very simple for God to bless you.
There was a real estate merchant who failed in his business. His project was stuck there, and he had cash flow problems. His children were still studying in the United Kingdom. He only had tens of thousands of dollars left in his account, and he came to me. When I heard that he was going to commit suicide, can we ignore someone who wanted to commit suicide? We can't handle the matter of his debt, but we can manage the blessing. He had a parking space that still could not be sold at 260,000. As a result, I led him in prayer. The next day, somebody walked into his office and bought it for 290,000.
Why was it thirty thousand more? The thirty thousand was for him to offer. Then, I contacted him again and said: The extra thirty thousand is for you to dedicate to God. He asked: What can I do about the debt I owe? I feel like there’s something wrong with his head, because God has already given it to you, so why don’t you honor God with your money? If you honor God with your money, your barn will be full and have surplus, and your wine press will overflow of new wine.
Later, God blessed him with two million dollars. He did not give after having the two million dollars. Half a year later, when I contacted him again, he regressed to his original state, and he was really going to commit suicide. See, weren’t these things he received all blessed by God? Why did he not thank God when it was God who blessed him? It's okay if you don't donate it to me. Is your heart on money or where is it? Are you trusting in the Lord or are you concentrating on how much money is in your pocket? Are you trusting in the Lord with all your heart, or are you focusing on your knowledge?
Everyone must ponder this well. People walk the road themselves. After finishing you can’t say: “God, how did this happen?” Now, how about thinking about it when you first started? You must always know to rely on God about the matter of donating, and that is the best depiction. Another intelligence is not important, honoring God with possessions and with the first fruits of your produce is a wise choice. Our God has a lot of money in His hands, and blesses who He wants to bless. Just now, we spoke about the 9th verse. Now I am still speaking about matters related to money. Everyone please look at verse 27.
Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act. Do not say to your neighbor, “Come back tomorrow, and I’ll give it to you,” when you now have it with you (Proverbs 3:27-28).
The Bible teaches us not to fool people. In the New Testament, it is stated more clearly: If he has nothing to eat, you give him something to eat; if he has nothing to drink, you give him something to drink. How much does it cost to eat and drink? Do you still need to wait until tomorrow? No need. Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act. What does it mean to be deserving? Do not run to the street and hand out money for no reason, that is not philanthropy, that is being stupid. When we do good, for example, if a person needs us to minister to him, we need to take care of him, we know his situation, and we are not at the poorest village, the poorest township, and then go there to spread money. What we need to do is handle the matters around us well. Here the Bible mentions neighbors, therefore we need to give to those that are worthy.
Back then, a sister came to us. She did not have enough money to spend each month, and she also had to raise her child. It was terrible! I then strengthened my heart, and told her that she would not be able to escape poverty unless she relied on God. So, I told her that: You must give a tenth of your income. Generally, people deduct God’s portion first, but this sister of ours really listened to me, and she really gave a tenth of her income with courage. I will ask you: She originally did not have enough, then donate a tenth of her income, do you think that will be enough for her? Do not need to think to know. If she originally spends two thousand dollars a month, and only had a thousand six hundred a month, after giving ten percent she only had a thousand four hundred left, so how could that be enough? It is impossible for it to be enough.
I said: You do not need to worry about anything. The group leader of her area as well as the brothers and sisters will subsidize you, and we are subsidizing from our own pockets, not subsidizing using donations. As a result, not long after, her finances turned around greatly, and now she has become a person of goodwill when it is her power to act. Now that she is wealthy, she also often helps this person and helps that person, and has also participated in service. You need to know that trusting in The Lord wholeheartedly is a very powerful thing, you must know that our God is a wealthy God, and that those who believe in God must possess a wealthy mindset.
A person without a wealthy mindset cannot continue. I have been speaking for so long and am still at the first point, and that is that you need to honor God with items and with the first fruits of your produce. Doing acts of goodwill is actually giving, and the thing that you give is basically money, possessions. Can everyone understand? Do not run into someone trying to scam you on the street, and then you cause trouble. I do not encourage everyone to cause trouble. There was an elderly lady who would try to scam you on the street all the time, and then she would fall to the ground. If you help her, she would blackmail you. You say: “God, how could this happen?” Who let you do this? I will never do one thing, and that is to give money to charitable organizations.
I never give money to any charity. I do not know what they are up to. Giving money to these charities, how can you be sure you are doing good? Charities are so dirty. Anyway, I do not know what they are up to. If I were to give, I would give to those around me whom I know well. But should we pay off other people's gambling debts or drug debts? No! You can help them get food, but do not help them pay off debts, because paying off debts is their own responsibility. Because if you pay him off, he will borrow again; if you pay him off, he will borrow again. What are you doing? These are on the financial aspects.
Do Not Despise the Lord's Discipline
A Christian said, God disciplines me so strictly. Look at that person who does so many bad things, and God does not discipline him. I thought, Does this person have a problem? What's wrong with being disciplined? It is called love when He disciplines you. Why don't you know that? If God does not discipline you when you do bad things, won't you go to heaven? Some people do so many bad things that God does not discipline them. Some people do a little and something happens the next day. Retribution comes immediately. This is good! It is good to have God's discipline! If a person does bad things and nothing happens, when disaster suddenly strikes one day, where will you find reason?
My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline or resent his rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in. (Proverbs 3:11-12)
Everyone should know what it means to not despise God's discipline. Not despising God's discipline means gradually building a heart of reverence for God when God disciplines you. God often gives us one chance, gives us two chances, gives us three chances. Everyone must know that there is a reason for everything. A person who despises God's discipline and resents God's rebuke, that is the most foolish thing a person can do.
Despising God's discipline and resenting God's rebuke, this matter is not only applied to God, but it is also effective when applied to pastors! Your pastor disciplines you and rebukes you, isn't that love? But there are some foolish people who cannot be spoken to. As soon as you say something, they argue back. It's not even about discipline. They can't handle a few rebukes. They don't know to reflect carefully on themselves, and they immediately argue with the pastor. People must always reflect on themselves! Because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in. It is very good for people to often reflect on themselves. In fact, in the process of shepherding, I am full of patience.
Several years ago, there was a sister who did business and lost everything, owing a large debt. I said, Review what foolish things you have done from childhood to adulthood. She said a lot, but she didn't reflect. I brought up an event from her childhood, and she immediately said, It wasn't like that; it was like this and that. In reality, few of the things she remembered were facts, but she thought that everything she remembered was factual, not knowing that what she remembered were lies. Why do some people reach the end of their rope? They went down the wrong path! You tell me to let her reflect on the wrong things she did in the past, how is it so difficult? Always thinking she is very smart.
Sometimes, people are so foolish that some children become very unruly after being disciplined by their parents, feeling that their parents are not their biological parents, feeling that they must have been adopted since childhood. How unruly can you be? Your parents have nothing better to do, raising you with their own hands from childhood. When you get a little older, you can't be disciplined? If they discipline you a little, they are not your biological parents? People, not knowing how foolish they are, is very deadly!
Those people on the street do not discipline you. What relationship do those people have with you? No relationship at all. Your life and death don't bother them. How can you not tell good from bad? It is extremely foolish for people not to tell good from bad. Which parents don't discipline their children? It's just that some children can be disciplined and some children cannot be disciplined. As soon as they are disciplined, they act unruly towards their parents. When I was at home, my parents beat me up, and I was very respectful. After being beaten by my parents, I knew that my parents were good to me, but some children feel that their parents are not good to them after being beaten by their parents.
Maybe you are not young anymore, but those wrong perceptions inside you have already entered your bones and are difficult to change. Some people have developed paranoia, and some people have developed victim mentality. When I was a child, I was rarely beaten. My parents liked me very much. It wasn't because I did more work or less work. It's just that my parents loved me very much, and I loved them very much. People must have reverence for God and not despise God's discipline. When God disciplines me, as soon as He disciplines me, I immediately change.
There was someone who believed at the same time as me. When he paid tithes, he only paid 5%. What is 5% called a tenth? That's called one-twentieth! I don't know if he didn't do the math well or what. As a result, he ended up losing his job. He can't do anything well, and he despises God's discipline. He still refuses to change without a job. His mouth is full of complaints, feeling that God has messed up everything. He always thinks that he is doing everything right, and his life is ruined in his own hands.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6)
Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. (Proverbs 3:7)
To be a wise man, the first thing is to honor God with your wealth and the firstfruits of your produce; the second is not to despise God's discipline. It is explained very clearly. In this chapter, many things are talked about that are not allowed. In God's wisdom and understanding, there are some things that cannot be done, and there are some things that must be done. When everyone reads the Bible, they must see that some things must be done, and some things cannot be done. Do the things that must be done well, and never do the things that cannot be done.
Do Not Let Love and Faithfulness Leave You
These are actually the image of God. God is a God full of love, full of mercy, and full of faithfulness. Therefore, on the road to imitating God, we must not let faithfulness and love leave us. Tie them around your neck and write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. It is crucial to worship our God in spirit and in truth. Our love for God will be reflected in our loving image towards people. God will cause us to find favor in His sight, and we will also find favor in the sight of the world.
Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. (Proverbs 3:3-4)
Do not plot harm against your neighbor, who lives trustingly near you. Do not accuse anyone for no reason—when they have done you no harm. Do not envy a violent person or choose any of their ways. For the Lord detests the perverse but takes the upright into his confidence. The Lord’s curse is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the home of the righteous. He mocks proud mockers but shows favor to the humble. The wise inherit honor, but fools get only shame. (Proverbs 3:29-35)
Why do people do these things? It is because they lack love and faithfulness! If a person lacks love and faithfulness, how can God make your name great? It would be good if God did not make your name evil. How can you win favor in the sight of the world? Living in the world, in the relationship between people, people think you are a quirky person. How do you get along in society? If a person has love and faithfulness, and also has wisdom and understanding, God will lead your way, and it will be easy to live.
We must emulate Abraham. Abraham was a mighty prince in the eyes of the Canaanites. Abraham was very kind in his dealings with people. The people around him honored Abraham and called Abraham a mighty prince. If today you are stealing chickens and dogs here, harming this person today, harming that person tomorrow, and when you see some injustice, you also follow them in doing violent things, living by your own sword, then you are definitely cursed.
We must trust in the Lord with all our hearts, so we must not let love and faithfulness leave us. But it's not this kind of faithfulness and that kind of faithfulness, and then after learning faithfulness, you become stupid. Some people become so faithful that they become fools, without wisdom or strategy! With faithfulness and love, God will make your name great on earth, give you honor in the eyes of the world, find favor, and have understanding. Don't always think about harming people. Don't always think about playing small tricks. Those are useless because small tricks are not called true wisdom.
Guard True Wisdom and Strategy
Everyone should know that true wisdom and strategy is to trust in the Lord God with all your heart. It is not about racking your brains to think about how to do this thing or how to do that thing. As long as you trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not rely on your own understanding. In the New Testament, Jesus said, Don't think about how to speak; the Holy Spirit will give you what to say. When I was a child, my mother often said, Those who are destined to die in the well will not die in the river, and those who are destined to die in the river will not die in the well. You just rely on God. Anyway, you can't protect yourself. When you walk, you don't know which step will fall into a snare. You don't know where the snare is. As long as you acknowledge God in all your ways, God will direct your paths. Don't be a quirky person. Don't be a person who relies on his own intelligence.
My son, do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight, preserve sound judgment and discretion; they will be life for you, an ornament to grace your neck. Then you will go on your way in safety, and your foot will not stumble; when you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked, for the Lord will be at your side and will keep your foot from being snared. (Proverbs 3:21-26)
It is good to trust in the Lord with all your heart! God knows everything. Why do people do so many things? It is because they want to live. If people don't want to live so much, what are you doing these things for? What is quirky? Taking advantage of people is all for the sake of living. If people don't care so much about living and hand over everything about living to God, many problems will be solved.
Summary
Remember God's established laws and God's given commandments, because God will add to you long days, years of life, and peace. You will say, How do I learn this? I will tell everyone how to learn. Everyone should remember these people and emulate Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph. If you learn to emulate them in your life, you will benefit a lot in your life. Learn from other people's reactions to things, and then look at your own reactions to things. Their reactions to things are very positive. Which side are your reactions to things on?
My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments, for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you. (Proverbs 3:1-2)
Sometimes, some of our brothers and sisters are very muddled. Look at Joseph being sold into Egypt by his brothers. Joseph did not hate his brothers. Jacob had his wages deducted by his father-in-law many times, but he did not hate his father-in-law. Our brothers and sisters are only just because of a word or two, and their reactions are very intense. Compared with the things that Jacob and Joseph encountered, they are all small things. You encounter a little something and it becomes a big deal?
In fact, how big of a deal is it? It's nothing, but you are calculating every detail, not calculating every detail, but calculating every two details. Saying you are calculating every detail is praising you. Constantly calculating every detail and still being self-righteous, suffering a little loss is simply deadly, with a terrifyingly small mind. Remembering a word of someone for a lifetime. If you can live two lifetimes, you will remember it for two lifetimes. If you can live three lifetimes, you will remember it for three lifetimes. Is this called God's laws and commandments? Absolutely not!
Maybe you didn't know what to do before, but now do you know what to do? You must learn what to do! I tell you, I am really touched. Open up your mind. What you are calculating is just trivial matters, and you are still trying to calculate, and finally you become a narrow-minded birdman? When you get sick, you say, Teacher, quickly pray for me! I think you should reflect on yourself first! What exactly should a person rely on in a lifetime? Some people rely on the Lord God, and some people rely on their own intelligence and wisdom.
Don't calculate with your fingers for no reason, thinking that someone is saying bad things about you. It would be best if you could calculate that your mind is narrow, that you are a birdman. Then you can change! It would be best if you could calculate that you have not relied on God and are relying on your own intelligence. You reap what you sow. Don't say when facing suffering, Oh! Why is it like this? Isn't that all you sowed yourself?
I tell everyone about an observation I have made in my shepherding: It is very difficult for a selfish person to change, because selfish people never think they are selfish. Isn't this a tragedy? Selfish people are hated by God and cursed by God. How can you know? You can know by looking at what you have experienced. Everyone should start asking themselves: Do I have love and faithfulness? Do I have God's image? God's qualities? You must know that God controls everything. I will read this sentence again as a summary of our Bible study.
My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments, for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you. (Proverbs 3:1-2)
If you want to live well, trust in the Lord with all your heart, do not rely on your own understanding, and in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will direct your paths, just as he directed Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph. If you ask me who is the most powerful, they are all very powerful, but the most powerful is Joseph. Joseph has a big heart! We can't finish emulating him in our lifetime.
May God bless everyone!