 Proverbs 16:8 says, It is better to be poor and do right than to be rich and do wrong. This is counter-cultural to what the world says. It says that if you want to be happy you need to be rich. This isn't true though. Sure, those who are rich smile for the cameras, but underneath that glossy facade, they are just as insecure, lonely, afraid and broken as the rest of us. Many wealthy people (not all of them) have become rich through unethical means such as not looking after their employees or the environment, by avoiding paying taxes, by being involved in the sex industry, or other immoral means.
This verse must be important because the author repeats it again in Proverbs 28:6. It is better to be poor and honest than rich and evil. Proverbs 30:7-9 says, God, I ask you to do two things for me before I die. Don’t let me tell lies. And don’t make me too rich or too poor—give me only enough food for each day. If I have too much, I might deny that I need you, Lord. But if I am too poor, I might steal and bring shame to the name of my God. If you are too rich, you may rely on yourself and not God. Don't be fooled into thinking that you need to be rich to be happy or fulfilled - it is better to do what's right.
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I don't know about you, but I often find myself powering along in my own strength and wisdom, then wonder why I end up struggling. Proverbs 16:3 says, Turn to the Lord for help in everything you do, and you will be successful. God's Holy Spirit is living in you and will help, encourage and guide you. Here are some Bible verses about relying on God and the help of his Holy Spirit.
John 14:16 I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper to be with you forever. Psalm 121:1-2 I look up to the hills, but where will my help really come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Creator of heaven and earth. Isaiah 41:10 Don't worry - I am with you. Don't be afraid-I am your God. I will make you strong and help you. I will support you with my right hand that brings victory. Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust the Lord completely, and don’t depend on your own knowledge. With every step you take, think about what he wants, and he will help you go the right way. You get the idea, if we trust in God and look to him for strength, guidance and wisdom, he will help you. I can tell you from my personal experience, when I have taken my problems to God in prayer, and asked him for help, he has always helped me. Proverbs 15:26 says, The Lord hates evil thoughts, but he is pleased with kind words.
Here are some Biblical truths about our thoughts: 1. God knows our thoughts. God already knows our deepest thoughts. Romans 8:27 2. Our words actions come from our thoughts. All these bad things begin in the mind: evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual sins, stealing, lying, and insulting people. Matthew 15:19. 3. God's Word judges our thoughts. God’s word is alive and working. It is sharper than the sharpest sword and cuts all the way into us. It cuts deep to the place where the soul and the spirit are joined. God’s word cuts to the center of our joints and our bones. It judges the thoughts and feelings in our hearts. Hebrews 4:12. 4. We should think about good things. Brothers and sisters, continue to think about what is good and worthy of praise. Think about what is true and honourable and right and pure and beautiful and respected. Philippians 4:8 5. We should think about spiritual things, not earthly things. Think only about the things in heaven, not the things on earth. Colossians 3:2 How have your thoughts been recently? If you want your thoughts to line up with God's Word, you need to spend more time reading God's Word.  Proverbs 15:16 says, It is better to be poor and respect the Lord than to be wealthy and have much trouble. Society puts so much value on making money and being successful. It is clear from reading the glossy magazines and watching the news that money and success don't make you happy. The Bible says that it's better to be poor and have Jesus, than to be rich and without him. Money. does not give you peace, contentment, happiness, joy, etc. - Jesus does!
 Proverbs 15:1 says, A gentle answer makes anger disappear, but a rough answer makes it grow. This piece of wisdom can change your life dramatically. Disagreements and arguments will happen because we live in a fallen world. When you're angry or upset, it is human nature to raise your voice and use an aggressive tone. I have learnt, that if I use a gentler tone, even if I'm angry, I can often avoid an argument or heated debate. If I try to understand what the other person is saying, instead of trying to make them understand me, we all get along a lot better. Next time your are on the brink of having an argument with your parents or a sibling, try to use a gentle tone and try to understand what they are saying. You still might not agree with them, but you might avoid World War 3.
 Proverbs 14:31 says, Whoever takes advantage of the poor insults their Maker, but whoever is kind to them honors him. God has a special place in his heart for the poor. We are told many times in the Bible to be kind to the poor. Here are a few from Proverbs:
Proverbs 19:17 Giving help to the poor is like loaning money to the Lord. He will pay you back for your kindness. Proverbs 21:13 Those who refuse to help the poor will not receive help when they need it themselves. Proverbs 22:9 Generous people will be blessed, because they share their food with the poor. Proverbs 22:23 The Lord is on their side. He supports the poor, and he will take from those who take from them. I could go on, but you get the picture. Be kind to the poor.  Proverbs 14:29 says, A patient person is very smart. A quick-tempered person makes stupid mistakes. These two statements are so true. I know from experience that when I have been impatient or quick-tempered that I have done and said things that have got me in trouble, or that I have regretted later. I'm more likely to say something harsh or hurtful, break something, make a mistake, etc. When I feel myself getting frazzled, I take a couple of deep breaths and ask God to help me. This usually helps me to return to a more patient and wise state. When you are patient, you make time to think more carefully about your actions and words.
Proverbs 14:15 says, Fools believe every word they hear, but wise people think carefully about everything. We are surrounded by so much information, but a lot of it is unhelpful or untrue. You can't believe everything that you hear or read. Be wise and check to see if it is from a reliable source and if it matches up with what the Bible says.
 Proverbs 13:21 says, Trouble chases sinners wherever they go, but good things happen to good people. The book of Proverbs has a lot of verses about God blessing righteous people, that is, people who do right.
Proverbs 3:33 The Lord curses a wicked family, but he blesses the homes of those who live right. Proverbs 10:16 The wages of the righteous is life, but the earnings of the wicked are sin and death. Proverbs 10:24 The righteous get what they want, but the wicked will get what they fear most. Proverbs 11:8 The righteous person is rescued from trouble, and it falls on the wicked instead. I could go on, but you get the idea. This doesn't mean that bad things don't happen to good people - that's part of living in a broken world. Romans 8:28 says, 'we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.' Paul is saying that God redeems the bad stuff and uses it for good with the people who love him. Proverbs 13:6 says, Righteousness guards the person of integrity, but wickedness overthrows the sinner (NIV). The Easy to Read Version says, Goodness protects honest people, but evil destroys those who love to sin. Basically this means that God will look after people who love Jesus and try to live right. People who love sin will be dragged further down the path of sin. A sin that seems small, can lead to bigger sin (note: it's important to remember that God doesn't grade sin, it's all equal). This doesn't mean that nothing bad will happen to righteous or good people. I think it means that they won't get dragged down a sinful path if they are loving Jesus and trying to live by his Word. The Enduring Word Commentary says, deeds can reflect destiny. Small sins can lead to bigger ones.
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