Proverbs 13:13 says, Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded.  This is a very clear statement.  Those who despise God's word will be destroyed, and those who follow God's commandments will be rewarded.  Of course, to follow God's commandments we must first accept Christ as our Savior and Lord.  We will never be rewarded for our own righteousness, because we never fully keep all God's commandments.  Verse fourteen states, The law of the wise is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.  The law of the wise is the law of God, and it begins with believing that Jesus is the crucified and resurrected Lord.  When we accept Christ, He is a fountain of life, saving us from spiritual death, or that everlasting separation from God.  Verse fifteen adds, Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of transgressors is hard.  This is a good understanding of salvation, of allowing Christ to be our Savior and Lord.  When we understand, or accep this, we live in the favor of God.  Those who reject Christ will truly find their way hard when judgment comes.  Verse sixteen declares, Every prudent man dealeth with knowledge: but a fool layeth open his folly.  The knowledge that the prudent must deal with is the knowledge that comes from God.  We cannot just be wise in our own understanding.  When we reject the knowledge of God, we are living in our own folly.  Verse seventeen says, A wicked messenger falleth into mischief: but a faithful ambassador is health.  Though this could simply apply to being faithful in our acting on the part of others, I believe that it goes a little deeper and means acting faithfully as ambassadors for Christ.  We are to present God's word accurately, and not to foolishly attempt to change it.  Verse eighteen says, Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction: but he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured.   I believe that this means more than just not following instructions on the job, which can lead to poverty by the loss of a job.  I believe that this means that if we refuse to follow the instructions of God, it will lead to spiritual poverty.  If we accept the reproof of God, which starts with acknowledging our sins and accepting Christ as our Savior and Lord, then we will be honored by having that everlasting relationship with God.  Verse nineteen states, The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul: but it is abomination to fools to depart from evil.  Again, though this could apply to earthly desires, I believe that it applies to the desire to have a right relationship with God.  When we have evil desires accomplished, it is an abomination in the eyes of God.  Even if we achieve all our desires outside of the will of God, it is still an abomination to Him.  Verse twenty states, He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.  We, as followers of Christ, should walk with other Christians.  This does not mean that we are not to be out in the world, but that when we are seeking guidance that we should look to other Christians to help us walk with Christ.  The foolish, those who deny God and His leadership, and those that follow them will be destroyed when Christ returns.  They will be sent away from God into everlasting punishment.  Verse twenty-one says, Evil pursueth sinners: but to the righteous good shall be repayed.  Whatever the sinner gains in life will be evil, or outside the will of God.  When we are righteous, or have a right relationship with God through Christ, then what we do for Him will be rewarded.  The main reward is an everlasting relationship with God.  Verse twenty-two states, A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children’s children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just.  I believe that the inheritance that this speaks of is more than material possessions.  The inheritance that the good man or woman leaves for their children is the knowledge of a right relationship with God.  When they can leave this to their children, and their children accept it, then it is an everlasting inheritance.  Those who have not accepted Christ as Savior and Lord cannot leave anything that will last.  Verse twenty-three says, Much food is in the tillage of the poor: but there is that is destroyed for want of judgment.  Even when we do not have much, if we use it wisely, under the leadership of the Holy Spirit, we will have our needs met.  If we have an abundance, but use it only for ourselves with no concern for God or others, we will lose it all, in God's day of judgment if not before.  Verse twenty-four declares, He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.   If we love our children, we will discipline them.  Allowing children to do whatever makes them happy is not a sign of love.  We must attempt to teach them right from wrong, which begins with the knowledge of God.  Verse twenty-five states, The righteous eateth to the satisfying of his soul: but the belly of the wicked shall want.  If we are the righteous, or followers of Christ, we will be concerned about feeding or souls, that everlasting part of us that will never die, more than we will be concerned with feeding our body, or material things.  Those who are wicked, or do not follow Christ, put material things first and ignore the soul.