22-23 Do not rob the poor, because he is poor, or crush the afflicted at the gate, for the  Lord will plead their cause and rob of life those who rob them. 24-25 Make no friendship with a man given to anger, nor go with a wrathful man, lest you learn his ways and entangle yourself in a snare.

26-27 Be not one of those who give pledges, who put up security for debts. If you have nothing with which to pay, why should your bed be taken from under you? 28 Do not move the ancient  landmark that your fathers have set. 29 Do you see a man skilful in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men. Proverbs 22:22-29 (English Standard Version)

While the message of the Bible ultimately points us to the life which is to come when the Lord Jesus Christ returns, it's also a book which through the ages has given practical guidance for living in this world. What's the wise advice given in vs 26-27?

We're warned to not get involved in unwise, even risky, financial agreements. Usually the cleverer the sales pitch or business plan sounds, the more likely the person is to let you down. And when the crash comes you may also be taken to the cleaners. Paul was spot on when he wrote to Timothy “Train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life - and also for the life to come.” (1 Timothy 4:7-8) We see more of this connection between life here and the life to come in vs 22-23. We’re warned there against taking advantage of those who are helpless and vulnerable. Why is that?

It's because God is a God who sees. He is fully aware of all that happens in the world He created. Those who crush the helpless will themselves forfeit their lives – if not quickly in this world, certainly in the day of judgement. This is because God is not like the judges of this world. What does vs 28 tell us about God's character?

If He is a God who is concerned about someone moving some stones to increase the size of his own property, then He is a God whose standard of justice is far above any justice we see (or often don't see) in the world today. The fact that the stones were 'ancient landmarks' shows too that God's standard doesn't change from year to year as the standards of people change. People take pride in things today that led to prison in the past. And while the laws God gave to Moses were ultimately intended to show us our need of Christ's salvation, His standards have not changed.

So what is the practical instruction the writer gives to his son, and to all who read this book, so that they can avoid ending up as people who exploit others and 'move landmarks'? Although people don't do that literally now, it is still done when reputations are destroyed through slander and gossip, or businesses are ruined through dishonest dealings. (vs 24-25)

He urges us to choose our friends and companions wisely. We are to avoid associations and relationships with those who are aggressive and vengeful. In the world's eyes the self assertive and aggressive person is often regarded as the one who will get to the top of the corporations. But he says that if you spend your time with such people it's likely that their behaviour will rub off on you. What a contrast to when the apostles Peter and John were on trial, and we're told that the people sitting in judgement over them “recognized that they had been with Jesus.” (Acts 4:13)

Verse 29 gives us the contrast to what the writer was warning his readers against. A person who is diligent in their work, who gives of their best and becomes skilful in whatever they do, will be recognized even by Kings, let alone Management. They won't have bailiffs at their door but people eager for their help. The apostle Paul said this attitude in life could be true even for those who were slaves in his days. He wrote: “Slaves, obey in everything your earthly masters. Not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” (Colossians 3:22-24)