Proverbs 14:34-35

Here is a sound political maxim with God's signature on it. What lifts a nation is not policy, empire, conquest, trade, or natural resources, but righteousness; and what disgraces a people — any people — is sin. This is a standing principle of God's providence over every nation without exception, Israel included and Israel not the only one: He warned that if a nation turns from evil He will relent of the harm He planned, and if it turns to evil He will relent of the good (Jeremiah 18:7–10) — a rule still in full operation over Amorite, Nineveh, Greece, Rome, and every modern state. (This is a universal providential principle, not a transfer of Israel's special covenant promises to any nation or church — keep those distinct.) Sin is a blot that no amount of worldly glory can cover; to truly bless a community, you must see it changed from within.

A wise, faithful servant wins his king's favor; the one who acts shamefully earns his wrath. What gains favor is competence and conscientious fidelity — a servant of principle and of gentle but unflinching faithfulness — not flattery. And the verse opens upward to the great King: toward His faithful servants His favor will be infinitely kind and condescending; against the shameful, His displeasure is something no one should want to face. Serve the King well, and serve Him faithfully; His "Well done" is worth more than any earthly promotion.