The tenth chapter of proverbs again offers a practical side to wisdom. It offers us wise advice about children, wealth, work, love, and our speech. Don't you just love these proverbs? The lessons are ageless.. they have brought such a sweetness to my life."A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish son is a sorrow to his mother." (v1)
I think that many parents of teenagers might understand this verse in a different context than parents of younger children.. and yes.. I am smiling. Parenting is a mixed experience.. the truth is that sometimes our children make wise choices and sometimes they do not - just like us.. it is the way of life. Experience has taught me that as our children age they really only need one thing from us - our unconditional love.. they do not need our judgment or criticism.. and if we love them they will (eventually) come to us for our advice.
"Treasures gained by wickedness do not profit, but righteousness delivers from death. The Lord does not let the righteous go hungry, but he thwarts the craving of the wicked." (v2-3)
There is something to be said about living a not-for-profit life. In my life greed and envy have produced nothing but misery.. but really trusting in God to meet my needs produces a sweetness in my life.
"He who gathers in summer is a prudent son, but he who sleeps in harvest is a son who brings shame." (v5)
It is said that we should live like this is our last day but we should plan like we will never die. I find life to be a balancing act.. wisdom is not only about today.. it is about counting the costs of tomorrow as well.
"The wise of heart will receive commandments, but a babbling fool will come to ruin" (v9)
A good reminder that wisdom is a quality of the heart.. it is not about intelligence.. I suspect that some of the wisest people do not have a really high IQ.
"Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses." (v12)
Many times when I am offended I will hear the Holy Spirit softly tell me to let love cover the offense. When He does I will generally respond like this: "I relinquish my right to be offended.. I renounce all ill feeling towards Joe.. Lord please fill me up with your love for Joe".
"The lips of the righteous feed many, but fools die for lack of sense." (v21) "The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but the perverse tongue will be cut off." (v31)
Everyone can feed the soul of a friend.. everyone can encourage and bless others with their words.. it is an awesome power that our words can have when we speak from our wise heart.
"Like vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to those who send him." (v26)
What graphic imagery.. smoke in your eyes can really burn.. employing a lazy person can do the same.
If you liked this post then please click here to catch some of my other ponderings on the book of Proverbs.
very good to read today
ReplyDeleteExperience has taught me that as our children age they really only need one thing from us - our unconditional love.. they do not need our judgment or criticism.. and if we love them they will (eventually) come to us for our advice.
ReplyDeleteAmen Bob. I shudder to think of how close I've been to alienating my young adult children because of my "conditional" love. It was a wake-up call from God that I was doing that. It made me sick to realize it.
Good, good again. I can certainly attest to your comments on #1 about the children :o) We just have to keep praying and believing and rejoicing when we see our prayers answered.
ReplyDeleteSusan
Haha ... no, I did not quite copied you but I would since you have given them in measures of gold as well.
ReplyDelete