15 The naïve believes everything, but the sensible person considers his steps. 16 A wise person is cautious and turns away from evil, but a fool is arrogant and careless. 17-18 A quick-tempered person acts foolishly, and a person of evil devices is hated. The naïve inherit foolishness, but the sensible are crowned with knowledge. 19 The evil will bow down before the good, and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.

20 The  poor is hated even by his neighbour, but those who love the rich are many. 21 One who despises his neighbour sins, but one who is gracious to the poor is blessed. 22 Will they who devise evil not go astray? But kindness and truth will be to those who devise good. Proverbs 14:15-22 New American Standard Bible

There’s never been a time when so much information is at our fingertips. Yet there's never been a time when the news media are so distrusted. In the week leading up to this post I've had at least three scam telephone calls a day and quite a few in my emails. This is why vs 15 of today's reading is as relevant today as it was nearly 3000 years ago. It said: “The naïve believe everything, but the sensible person considers his steps!” In those days it wasn't conspiracy theories and scam get-rich-quick schemes – but there were probably as many liars about trying to trick people out of their money. Perhaps sometimes they tried to get someone to join them in a dishonest scheme. But what was the response of a wise and sensible person? (vs 16)

Those who love God and have been made wise by His commandments immediately turn away from anything that smells of wickedness and deception. Verses 17-18 show the different outcomes of arrogant and quick tempered schemers, and those who act with sensible caution. How true it is that people of evil devices become hated. Even today one loathes the crooks behind the scam phone calls who fleece naïve people by their lies. Sensible people reap the security that knowledge brings. Verse 19 shows the ultimate destiny of evildoers and the righteous. It’s like the last chapter of Revelation which speaks of those who enter the gates of God's eternal city, and the liars and deceivers who remain outside, forever!

Verse 20 is difficult because poverty doesn't mean the person is wicked. Poverty can even be the result of persecution. I think it's showing the sort of attitude that is common in the world. People are more likely to pal up with the rich than the poor. But what does vs 21 add to the subject?

While many people in the world may not have much time for the poor, those who show compassion will be blessed. (By the poor they helped as well as by God). They are obeying God's command that we should love our neighbour as ourselves.

Verse 22 brings us back to what we have been looking at – the security of those who are made wise and sensible through God's word, and the vulnerability of naïve people who are tricked and harmed by the wicked. Those who plan evil schemes have gone astray. They are on the wide road that Jesus spoke of which leads to destruction. Often in this life, but certainly on Judgment day. But kindness and truth are the blessings of those who seek the good of others. Remember how Jesus put it: “God blesses those who are humble, for they will inherit the whole earth. God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will be satisfied. God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy. God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God. God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God.” (Matthew 5:5-9 New Living Translation).