Proverbs 10

“The lips of the righteous feed many, but fools die for lack of sense” (v21).  The way of righteousness described in proverbs is not only about an individual’s choice to honor God.  One person’s right behavior “feeds” or blesses a whole community, just as sinful behavior creates ripple effects of harm (v17). Even within the family, there are long-term positive results of training children in God’s ways; eventually, as adults they make their parents “glad” (v1-5). On the other hand, people filed with hatred spread conflict wherever they go (v12).

We are created in and for community.  Making the courageous choice to obey the Lord in our speech and actions produces a “fountain of life” for those around us (v11).