Pondering Proverbs – Discipline (8)

 

 

“Poverty and shame will come to him who neglects discipline, but he who regards reproof will be honored.” Proverbs 13:18.

 

The first thing we might think when we read the above is, “I know people who neglect and reject discipline all the time, and they not only have wealth, they also have the admiration of others.” This is true, but is it the Truth?

 

We could also say that we know people who regard reproof, but who are not honored. Again, this may be true, but is it the Truth?

 

Also, let’s keep in mind that in Proverbs 13:1 and 13:24 discipline is in the context of the father – child relationship, so I think we also want to put 13:18 in that context because verses 1 and 24 bracket the chapter.

 

It is the nature of life that some things are apparent and some things are hidden, some things play out quickly and some things not so quickly. Paul writes, “The sins of some men are quite evident, going before them to judgment; for others, their sins follow after. Likewise also, deeds that are good are quite evident, and those which are otherwise cannot be concealed.” (1 Tim. 5:24 – 25). Appearances really can be deceiving.

 

Let me tell you what tragedy looks like, a form that it takes. Tragedy is arriving at the end of life and not knowing what really matters, it is having lived your life with a false set of values, a warped vision. Tragedy is nearing death and still thinking that wealth and possessions and the recognition of this world matters, it is ignoring the portal that you are approaching as if it is of no consequence; this, my friends, is tragedy.

 

But there is yet another tragedy on top of this tragedy, and that tragedy is that you have lived in the foregoing way so long that you are not open to hearing the Truth, not open to seeing the Truth, not open to realizing the loving reproof that God still offers – the purpose of which is to draw you to Himself.

 

So now I ask you, dear reader, does it really matter who has the “most toys” at the end of life? Does it matter who has the big investment accounts, the many possessions, the mega houses, the accolades of this present age? What is the reality behind all these things? What is the reality behind a life lived outside of knowing our Lord Jesus Christ and the power of His resurrection and the koinonia of His suffering? The reality is eternal poverty and shame.

 

Let us make no mistake, let us not fall for the propaganda of false “Christian” teachers; the followers of Jesus Christ may indeed experience poverty and shame in this life, just as our Lord Jesus did, but the honor that awaits us is beyond words and comprehension. In fact, we are called to bear the shame and reproach of our Lord Jesus (Heb. 13:13), but to bear His shame is our honor, to bear His shame and suffering is to also share His glory (Rom. 8:16 – 18; 1 Peter 4:12 – 14).

 

In the context of the father and child relationship, the child who neglects the discipline and instruction of a loving parent will know a relationship of poverty and shame – there will be “what might have been” and unrealized potential. On the other hand, when I have known parent and child relationships with loving discipline and instruction, I have witnessed beauty and richness and trust.  The richest people on earth are those who know Christ and have true and trusting relationships with family and friends.

 

Psalms 37 and 73 are helpful reminders to us that things are not always what they appear to be, and that our eyes are to be on Jesus and the true Truth. Note how the writer of Psalm 73 received God’s reproof, “When my heart was embittered and I was pierced within, then I was senseless and ignorant, I was like a beast before you” (73:21 – 22).

 

A life of tragedy is a life of not receiving the loving and merciful reproof and conviction of the Holy Spirit, it is a life of not knowing the care and discipline of the Father who gave His only begotten Son.