Gems of Wisdom

Gems of wisdom

Since school started this year, I have been opening the day with my boys by reading from the Proverbs. Read from it lately? The book is not the same kind of spiritual nourishment as Ephesians, for example. It does not unfold rich doctrines of grace, for example. Yet, each page is packed with practical wisdom that sparkles like a gem!  Obviously, a Christian cannot live on a steady diet of Proverbs, but reading two or three of them each day will most certainly point to a better life.

Here’s an example of the good stuff found there:

·         "A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.”   There’s a direct slap in the face of our culture, celebrity-crazed and character-starved.  Somehow we have come to believe that having wealth or fame excuses us from living honorably.  Not so, God says.

·         “Rich and poor have this in common: The LORD is the Maker of them all.”  There’s a powerful reminder. We’re all equals before God. He does not care about class distinctions. If that idea takes root in our minds, it will revolutionize the way we relate to others.  Envy and disdain die when we live as brothers.

·         “A prudent man sees danger and takes refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it." (Proverbs 22:1-3, NIV)  That is a word for our time, isn’t it? “Rescue me,” is the plea of millions. “I’m a victim of my circumstances, I cannot help myself,”  they insist while they keep following the same path that led them into the pit in the first place.  God says, “Wake up and take action!  Get out there.”

·         "The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender." (Proverbs 22:7, NIV)  If we really believed this, we would resist the temptation to spend tomorrow’s income today on things that will be worn out before they are paid for!

The book is packed with practical truth about the folly of sexual promiscuity.  (see chapter 5!) The text often warns about the emptiness of a life that is given to a love of wealth. It exposes the silliness chasing flattery instead of true honor. Proverbs teaches us to respect to those who guide and lead us.  "Listen, my child, to what your father teaches you. Don’t neglect your mother’s teaching. What you learn from them will crown you with grace and clothe you with honor." (Proverbs 1:8-9, NLT)

The early chapters personify wisdom and urge us to seek after her whole-heartedly.

Here’s a word from that book. I hope it blesses you and that you will make a trip to Proverbs frequently, to learn the ancient, yet timely, wisdom recorded there.

"Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding,

for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold.

She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her.

Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor.

Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace.

She is a tree of life to those who embrace her;

those who lay hold of her will be blessed." (Proverbs 3:13-18, NIV)