Conversation with Cousin from a Christian Perspective

Scripture: Proverbs 13:7-10 7 There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches. 8 The ransom of a man's life are his riches: but the poor heareth not rebuke. 9 The light of the righteous rejoiceth: but the lamp of the wicked shall be put out. 10 Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom. _______________________________________________________________ True Wealth: The Wisdom of Proverbs 13:7-10 "True wealth isn’t found in what you have, but in who you are and whose wisdom you follow." Material possessions often define wealth in today's culture—fancy cars, designer clothes, and luxurious homes.  Social media is filled with images of people showcasing a lifestyle of riches, but Proverbs 13:7-10 gives us a different perspective. It warns us that appearances can be deceiving and that true wealth is found in wisdom, integrity, and the light of righteousness. Rich in Possessions, Poor in ...

Scripture: Proverb 13:5-6 5 The righteous hate what is false, but the wicked make themselves stench and bring shame on themselves. 6 Righteousness guards the person of integrity, but wickedness overthrows the sinner. _____________________________________________________________________ "Righteousness guards the person of integrity, but wickedness overthrows the sinner." — Proverbs 13:6 (NIV) “To be right with God has often meant to be in trouble with men.” — A.W. Tozer. In a world where “fake it till you make it” is the norm, integrity can feel outdated. Social media rewards filters over reality, businesses thrive on half-truths, and relationships are often built on appearances rather than honesty. However, Proverbs 13:5- 6 clarifies that living right isn’t just about being a “good person” but protecting peace and long-term success. So, the real question is—does integrity still matter? Integrity vs. the Culture of Faking It Proverbs 13:5 says, “The righteous hate what is fa...

Scripture: Proverbs 13 1 Intelligent children listen to their parents; foolish children do their own thing. 2 The good acquire a taste for helpful conversation; bullies push and shove their way through life. 3. Careful words make for a careful life; careless talk may ruin everything. 4. Indolence wants it all and gets nothing: the energetic have something to show for their lives. The Path to True Success In the words of an African-American scholar, Benjamin E. Mays, “Desire without discipline is just a daydream.” His teachings align well with Proverbs 13:4: "The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied." Many of us desire success in our careers, relationships, or spiritual growth. But desire alone is not enough. Without discipline, dedication, and faith, our dreams remain just that—dreams. In this episode of Conversation with Cousins, we dive into the tension between desire and discipline and how bibl...

Scripture: Proverb 10:23-32 23  An empty-head thinks mischief is fun,     but a mindful person relishes wisdom. 24  The nightmares of the wicked come true;     What the good people desire, they get. 25  When the storm is over, there’s nothing left of the wicked;     good people, firm on their rock foundation, aren’t even fazed. 26  A lazy employee will give you nothing but trouble;     it’s vinegar in the mouth, smoke in the eyes. 27  The Fear-of-God expands your life;     A wicked life is a puny life. 28  The aspirations of good people end in celebration;     The ambitions of bad people crash. 29  God is solid backing to a well-lived life,     but he calls into question a shabby performance. 30  Good people  last —they can’t be moved;     The wicked are here today and gone t...