^“The devising of folly is sin,

   and the scoffer is an abomination to mankind.”

Proverbs 24:9

Here, the writer reminds us, that the heart matters. Scheming folly is sin. There is no plausible deniability for the person who thinks out the plan; he can’t say, “But I didn’t actually do it. I just thought about it.” Jesus addressed this matter of the heart this way: “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart'” (Matthew 5:27-28).

Here are some verses they may be helpful for this topic:

“Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.” (Prov. 4:23)

“We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.” (2 Corinthians 10:5)

“As water reflects the face, so the heart reflects the person.” (Prov. 27:19)

“… to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” (Ephesians 4:22-24)

“Do not toil to acquire wealth; be discerning enough to desist.

When your eyes light on it, it is gone, for suddenly it sprouts wings, flying like an eagle toward heaven.”

Proverbs 23:4-5 ESV

The warning here is not to avoid wealth. Neither is it to not work hard. The warning is to not make wealth our goal in life; gaining wisdom should be our life goal.

There are at least two reasons for this priority:

1. Wisdom is greater than wealth. (Proverbs 8:11, 22:1)
2. Wealth is fleeting. (Proverbs 23:5)

Remember: A fool with great wealth, is still a fool.

“The getting of treasures by a lying tongue

    is a fleeting vapor and a snare of death.”

Proverb 21:6

If the ultimate goal is to get treasure, then a person may believe any means necessary is an acceptable philosophy of life. “I’m gonna get mine,” he might laughingly say. However, at the end of the day, he will discover that the treasure was nothing more than a fleeting vapor.

This reminds me of the man who spent his life climbing the ladder of success only to discover that he had his ladder leaning against the wrong building.

A couple questions: What is your ultimate goal in life? If you reached that goal would it be a fleeting vapor?

“Listen to advice and accept instruction,

    that you may gain wisdom in the future.”

Proverbs 19:20 ESV

The most basic point of this proverb may slip past the reader. To wit, wisdom comes as a result of a willingness to listen to advice and accept instruction.

If others regularly tell you, “You won’t listen to anybody,” then you are not on a path toward wisdom. There is more in this proverb, but spending time thinking on this obvious point is worthwhile.

Lord, help me to be willing to receive instruction and advice from others.