There are many good nuggets in this chapter. Again, it presents the different characteristics and activities of good people and evil people.
At a time in history when women had very little influence, they had very little recognition in society. Solomon pointed to one characteristic that made a difference in some women. “Honor goes to kind and gracious women.” Solomon contrasts this with some men: “mere money to cruel men.” Of course, sometimes those descriptions can be reversed, but rarely are men described as gracious. (Verses 16-17).
If you have ever watched the “Good Witch” series on the Hallmark Channel, the heroine always seemed to be kind and gracious with each person she encountered. In the Bible, Ruth was kind and gracious to her mother-in-law, Naomi. At the same time, Naomi’s relative Boaz, was kind to Ruth by fulfilling the legal requirements of a near-kinsman. Also, in the Old Testament, Esther seemed to show kindness and graciousness to Haman though he was trying to have her and her people killed.
Solomon went on to say, “Your own soul is nourished when you are kind; it is destroyed when you are cruel.” A good example of this was when King Saul tried to kill David. God had sent a troubling spirit on Saul, and it became worse each time he sought to destroy David or anyone who associated with him. However, during David’s forced retreat, he twice spared Saul’s life.
Another nugget in this chapter we find in verses 24-25. “It is possible to give away and become richer! It is also possible to hold on too tightly and lose everything. Yes, the liberal man shall be rich! By watering others, he waters himself.”
Sometimes it is hard to find extra money to help someone or a charitable organization, but we are told we will be blessed if we do. I am not talking about people or organizations we are not familiar with; many calls we get asking for money are scams. There are many organizations we know of through our church or personal reference, and sometimes ads on TV. We should support them in faith believing in some way God will bless us also.
The last nugget Solomon makes says, “Godly men are growing a tree that bears lifegiving fruit, and all who win souls are wise. Even the godly shall be rewarded here on earth; how much more the wicked.” (Verses 30-31). God here tells us that if we seek to follow His will for our lives we will be rewarded. It isn’t always easy or immediate, but we are to live by faith not by sight.