Paradoxes in the Bible (Prov 11:24)

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by

Robert Piña
in

Introduction: A Paradox is a statement that appears contradictory yet conveys deeper truth upon closer examination. The ways of God seem backwards to the ways of the world. That’s because they are. Let’s take a look. 

  1. Must Scatter to Increase– Proverbs 11:24 / II Corinthians 9:6-8. Generosity leads to blessing, while hoarding leads to lack.
    • The Tithe- 10% of your income that goes to God. Genesis 14:17-20- The tithe was given before the law by Abram through Melchizedek, to honor God and not because of obligation to the law. When we Tithe, we are simply giving back to God what already belongs to Him. We must be obedient to God. Everything we have is because God allows us to have it. 
    • Missions- This is an offering and it above the tithe. This goes to buy NT Bible, Tracts, Bibles, etc. Proverbs 13:7 “There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches”. 

2. Poor But Yet Rich– II Corinthians 6:8-10 This person might appear persecuted, poor, and unknown. Yet he is rich, and rejoicing in Christ, and enriching others with the gospel of Christ. 

  • II Corinthians 8:9 “For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich”. 
  • If you spend a lifetime trying to be rich, you miss out on God’s riches. If you send your life living for God, one day you will be rich, when God settles accounts. 

3. We have Strength in Weakness– II Corinthians 12:7-10 God’s power is perfected in human weakness. Instead of relying on your strength, put your dependence of God. This goes for everything.

  • We could be weak physically, infirm (Craig/David/Paul/Sis Deborah). Weak in the fact that we take the pressures of life or a certain thing. Weak in not being able to withstand temptations- weak eyes, flesh. Weak in the Word. Weak in abilities to serve God. 
  • In witnessing/ Preaching the gospel. In living for Jesus Christ instead of the World. In help with your problems- health, decisions, financial. 
  • Ephesians 6:10 “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might”. Isaiah 40:29.

4. The Humble are Exalted–  Luke 14:7-11 Pride, money, and position will exalt a person. If you humble yourself now, you will be exalted when we are to reign and rule with Jesus Christ here on this earth during his Millennial reign of Christ. 

  • Philippians 2:8-9 “And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name”. 
  • I Peter 5:5-6 “Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothe with humility: for God resisters the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time”. 

5. Last shall be First– Matthew 19:27-20; 20:16- In God’s order things are backwards. Humanly speaking this seems wrong, yet it makes perfect sense to God. 

  • If we start at the eleventh hour, we will receive more than we ever hoped, and even made equal with those that started at sunrise. 
  • It is not the length of service, but the quality of it. Give everything to God and for God. Your labor for God will never be in vain. When it comes to distribution of rewards for service, God is always just and knows how much effort we really put into it. 

6. The Servant as Greatest- Matthew 23:1:11 true greatness in God’s kingdom comes through humility and service. 

  • People want the positions of notoriety, of high position, of titles (Pastor / Deacon). 
  • Luke 22:27 “For whether is greater, he that sitters at meat, or he that serveth? Is not he that sitteth at meat? But I am among you as he that serveth”. 

7. Must lose to Gain– Matthew 10:34-39 Lose your own your own goals, ambitions, thoughts about your own life, etc.,

  • Philippians 3:7-8 If you live your own life you lose spiritually, If you surrender to Christ and His life, you will gain. 
  • Matthew 16:24-26 Lose your own religion to gain a relationship with Jesus Christ. 

Conclusion: Don’t believe the world, believe the Bible. No matter how contradictory it may seem, God’s way is always the best way.