Category: Practical Wisdom

Opening Dad's Treasure Chest! - Proverbs 2:6-7

4/9/2018

Proverbs 2:6-7 For the LORD gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding. He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk in integrity.

I can still remember when I first opened my father’s military trunk from the army. As I wiped off the dust and opened the latches on the big green U.S. Army foot locker my eyes were wide with wonder and awe at the old pictures, the Japanese flag, and the trinkets and treasures he brought home from Japan. It was as if I had an instant connection with him as I looked through the items and asked him what they were and the stories behind them. As he shared with me I wanted to soak up all I could from 1st Lieutenant Leroy Lawrence. I still have this trunk to this day. After he passed it was the item that seemed to always forge an instant connection with my dad.

How would you like to have a huge trunk from your Father in heaven filled with all the information you need to walk through life successfully? How would you respond to an offer from God for a treasure trove of highly practical knowledge on how to live a safe, productive, life that is ever moving forward toward worthwhile goals? This is what God promises - along with a promise of HIs protection for you in Proverbs 2:6-7.

In verse 7 the father, who is instructing his son, begins to speak of the benefits and blessings that come from having a heart that desires wisdom. He has taught his son to listen to him because he is offering him wisdom and understanding. The dad makes it clear in verse 6 that this wisdom and understanding does not come from him as the source. Jehovah is the One who gives wisdom. It is when He speaks that knowledge and understanding flow to us. All dads would be wise to remember this and to liberally season their instruction to their sons with the Word of God.

What are the benefits that dad offers to his son? First of all when we turn to God and His Word for wisdom we will find that God begins storing up sound wisdom for us. The words “stores up” are the Hebrew word “saphan” which means to hide away resources. The idea here is that of God filling a treasure chest for us. What is He putting into it? Sound wisdom is being put there. This sound wisdom (tushiyyah) is a highly practical knowledge and understanding of things that will ensure success in God’s sight if followed. It ensures success when walking in God’s way - we will advance when following it. This is the treasure trove which God has for us as we learn His Word and desire His wisdom. What a wonderful thing to know that as we read, study, and treasure up His Word in our hearts - there are riches of wisdom and understanding that are being deposited into us for current or latter use. We are insuring our future spiritual growth as well as the leadership and guidance we will need to navigate a world that is becoming increasingly difficult to traverse.

There is a second benefit to hearing and having wisdom in our hearts and lives. When we seek God for it - and listen when He gives it - we can be assured He is forging an ever growing shield that protects us as we walk through life. If you have yet to experience it, you will one day find that walking in wisdom will shield you from many things that would damage or even destroy your life. Paul spoke of this in Ephesians 6 when he mentioned the “shield of faith” which can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Faith in the Word of God - that what it says is true and worthy of emulation - is what protects us. In a word - wisdom - is what protects us.

These things are for the one who is upright. The one who walks in a straight path, ever quick to listen and to follow God’s directions and directives! It is also for those who walk in integrity. The word means - completeness - as in one who completely surrenders to God and is completely obedient to God’s commands. These things are the things God is storing up for us when we pursue a life of wisdom from Him.

There is a second trunk I have come to treasure in my life. The second trunk is not visible. It is a storage chest of highly practical wisdom that God keeps deep within my heart and mind. There it can be opened whenever I need to know the right way to go in decisions large and small. It is filled with all the wonderful lessons I’ve learned as I’ve applied myself to read, study, and understand God’s Word. Such a treasure is not stagnant - but growing and expanding - even as I grow and expand my knowledge of what God has said - and Who He is. It is always there, ready to be opened, so that I can receive the counsel I need in that moment and walk in a manner pleasing to the Lord. May you be blessed to open His Word daily and by that choice - open the treasure chest of your heart so that God may fill it to overflowing with His Word - His wisdom - and with practical understanding of His way.

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Work Ethic - Both Physical and Spiritual - Proverbs 10:5

5/10/2010

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He who gathers in summer is a son who acts wisely, But he who sleeps in harvest is a son who acts shamefully. Proverbs 10:5

Something that used to be said often was that the protestants in Christianity had a strong work ethic. In fact, this was known as the protestant work ethic. The place where such a strong motivation and exhortation to work was learned was from the Scriptures. Here we see one of those passages that encouraged and exhorted people to work hard.

Work existed before the fall. It is a godly thing to work - and the very first work was tending a garden. Thus in Israel's agrarian world the idea of working in the fields, planting and harvesting crops was something that was valued highly. The son who gathered in summer, when the crops were ripened, was a son who acted wisely. He knew when hard work was required - and when it would yield great benefits. This is another area where work ethic is important to us. We work hard because we gain from the work that we do. The Lord encouraged a system where hard work by the individual and the family yielded gain and blessing to those individuals and families who worked hard. Only in extreme situations did the Lord have men live in a way that they worked so that they could equally share things. Too many look at the early days of the church and deduce that God wants us to live in a commune - or in some kind of socialist utopia. There is far more Scripture that tells us that we are rewarded individually for working hard. Socialism and Communism eventually break down into those who work hard - and others who benefit by taking what those who work hard produce. Thus these systems promote laziness and a lack of a work ethic. It is only when a man can personally benefit from his own hard labor that work will be encouraged throughout society. And . . . it is only when a lack of work results in shame, disgrace, and poverty that work will be respected and embraced by all in society. This is what the second half of our proverb today encourages. The son who sleeps in the harvest is one who acts shamefully. Shame will come upon him when he has nothing to show for his laziness and slothful attitude and actions.

There is also a spiritual application to this passage that we should not miss - because the whole idea of gathering and harvesting are terms that God uses in reference to the work of evangelism that should be taking place in the life of a New Testament believer. The son who gathers as the Spirit of God is working is a wise son. He recognizes that the gospel must be planted and watered in the lives of those who need to know Christ. There is also a time to gather - as God brings a harvest in accordance with our diligence to share Christ with others. But the son who sleeps spiritually - who is too busy loving the world and the things of the world - is indeed a shameful son. He does not see that we only have a very limited amount of time to share the gospel in this life - and therefore wastes that time in foolish pursuits.

God expects us to work - and to work hard. He wants us to work so that we can provide for ourselves and our families. He wants us to work so that the gospel can touch each and every generation. And just as important . . . He wants us to teach our sons and our daughters to also enter into work - the work of provision as well as the work of eternity.

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What You Can Learn from an Ant . . . Proverbs 6:6

4/6/2010

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Go to the ant, O sluggard, Observe her ways and be wise, Proverbs 6:6

The sluggard is commanded to go look at an insect. But this particular insect, the ant, has much to teach him. The ant is a remarkable creature who exercises foresight, industry, and economy in what it does. The sluggard has none of these things. The word sluggard simply means a lazy, useless one. The interesting thing is what this laziness is associated with in Scripture. It is associated with moral failure - with getting nothing out of life - with tardiness - and with arrogance and pride.

God tells the sluggard to go observe the ant, to see what the ant does. The ways of the ant are what are to be viewed - and that takes us back to her industry, her hard work, her discipline to get things done at the proper time. The sluggard is told that if he would emulate the ant - he would become wise.

It would be easy for us to look at the sluggard and judge him. But before we are too hasty we might want to take a look at ourselves and see if there are any similarities. The current state of Christianity too often mirrors the sluggard. As a society we have more free time than just about any other society before us - and yet our ignorance of the Scritpures is astounding. Things like television, movies, and a thousand other pursuits dominate our lives while the work of the kingdom often languishes for workers. We approach children's and youth sports with an almost religious fervor - as well as any other activity that we can do for our children. Yet when it comes to our children being taught the things of the Lord - we yet languish again. For all our free time it is interesting to note that one of the most oft heard complaints I experience is that our families and individuals struggle with the pace and hectic nature of their lives.

Maybe we too can learn a great deal from the ant and her ways? Maybe we should observe her and learn - and become wise?

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This High, Exalted, Costly Thing Called Wisdom . . . Proverbs 24:7

3/24/2010

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Wisdom is too exalted for a fool, He does not open his mouth in the gate. Proverbs 24:7

Wisdom is costly - and it is something that requires commitment to have in our lives. Those who have gained any wisdom knows this. Wisdom requires an investment of time and effort. One who desires wisdom must gather wisdom by reading, studying, memorizing, and meditating upon God's Word. One who desires wisdom also will desire to be in the presence of God and godly men who will speak wisdom as they listen intently. Wisdom also requires an investment of life or living. One who has wisdom - true wisdom - lives it out each and every day. The wise man bucks the world when the world tells him to go his own way. The wise man does not run with the worldly crowd when the run headlong into a pursuit of their own lusts and desires. The wise man will make difficult choices that will of necessity require him to die to self. He will walk contrary to the fools who gather and approve each others foolishness. He will speak and live wisdom when it is in season - but more importantly when it is not.

This is why wisdom is too high for the fool. He will not open his mouth in the gate. The gate was the place of decision making - the place where the elders gathered and offered their wisdom for the good of the city. Blessed is that land - that city whose gate is filled with men of wisdom. Blessed are they because the fool will not open his mouth there - for the very reason that wisdom prevails in that place. Very unfortunate is that city - that state - that people who have surrounded themselves first with their own foolishness - and ultimately with fools who sit in the gate. Theirs will be a land that multiplies foolishness - and pays for it dearly in their captivity to their own lusts and desires - and in the future - captivity to others who exploit their foolishness to gain the ascendency over them. It is better for us that the fools of our society not have the freedom to open their mouths in the gate -and that foolishness is seen for exactly what it is - foolish.

Keil and Delitzsch make a wonderful comment about this when they say, "Wisdom is to the fool too high; the way to wisdom is to him too long and too steep, the price too costly." For this reason the fool is unwilling to make the climb, pay the price, or make the sacrifice necessary to gain wisdom. The wise man does not see the cost - but the jewel. He does not see the climb - but the panoramic view. He does not see the sacrifice - but the victory in the end. Wisdom is indeed exalted, high, and pricey - but is worth every penny, every sacifice, and every labor to attain.

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Mouth Patrol . . . Proverbs 21:23

1/21/2010

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He who guards his mouth and his tongue, Guards his soul from troubles. Proverbs 21:23

The mouth and the words that come out of it are a matter of great interest to the Lord. He gives much counsel on how our mouths should and should not be used. We would be wise to listen well and do what the Lord says about our mouths.

Here the wisdom of God is to guard your mouth and your tongue. Why? The mouth and tongue are used to form words - and those words can be very dangerous. James chapter 3 tells us that the tongue is a deadly evil full of poison. We are also told by James that the tongue can set the whole course of our life on fire. That, my friends is a dangerous thing. But when you consider this counsel, also consider how many times a stray word spoken by an official - spoken by a commentator - spoken by a sports figure can set their entire life on fire.

I remember the Republican Senate Leader Trent Lott's comments that were considered racist by many in the media. We don't know unless we can enter into Senator Lott's heart whether he is actually a racist or not - but that did not matter. His words were spoken without thinking - and the result was that his entire life was set on fire with controversy. The air waves were filled with shock and horror over what he said - and before things were over - he was forced out of a position he spent years trying to achieve in politics. One quote destroyed an entire career in his case.

That is why Proverbs tells us that the one who "guards" his mouth and tongue - guards his soul from troubles. The word "guard" here is "shamar" and means to watch and keep like a guard or like a person standing guard in a military situation. We are not just to casually look at what might come out of our mouths, we are to stand guard over our mouths - and make sure that nothing comes out of it that will cause us trouble and grief later. This kind of guarding requires us to literally "THINK BEFORE WE SPEAK!" Some people say that we need to just speak what is on our minds - which is a great way to get in serious trouble. We should speak what our minds have processed with wisdom and discretion. That way we guard our soul from troubles. Oh, dear saints of God - listen to this admonition of the wise man and guard your mouth closely. It only takes one little comment to set your life on fire - be wise then and make sure that such words are guarded against at the gate of your mouth - the place where wisdom reigns in your mind!

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RUN! THERE'S A FOOL PRESENT! - Proverbs 14:7

12/14/2009

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Leave the presence of a fool, Or you will not discern words of knowledge. Proverbs 14:7

Ah, the fool . . . here is a guy you will get to know as you read through the book of Proverbs. He is a main character - and what a character he is. Let's take a quick look at this word "fool" and learn a little about who he is and a little about how he thinks.

The word "fool" is the Hebrew word "kesil". This word is translated as fool or stupid man. It refers to a stupid fellow or a dullard. This is the dull or obstinate one who does not desire or consider God's ways or paths as worth emulating or following. This guy is someone who does not concentrate on what is right and is apparently unable to see any proper way or conduct. He has no delight in understanding or discernment, hates knowledge and most of all does not fear the Lord. As a result he is a serious detriment to those who are around him and to society in general. His actions not only cause him problems but also endanger all those who are around him.

When you read the definition above you can understand why God tells us to "leave the presence of a fool." The New Testament offers sage advice when it tells us that bad company corrupts good morals. To hand around a fool is to invite stupidity into your life. The problem a fool brings is that his very lifestyle rebels against discernment and knowledge. He doesn't want to distinguish between good and evil. His attitude is, "anything he wants is good - anything that goes against his desires is evil." Not only does he militate against discernment - but he also won't listen to words of knowledge. Knowledge refers to skill and ability with wisdom - and any kind of skill that refers to God's view of things - the fool considers a form of torture.

If you want to be discerning, if you want to have a skill in taking God's wisdom and applying it to life situations, if you want to have wisdom, you need to be with people who are wise. Being in the presence and under the influence of a fool is not the way to go. You want to be around those who know and love God's Word. You want to seek out those who have walked wisely over many years. You want to be in the presence of godly men to learn these things. As for being around the fool, there is one good piece of advice . . . RUN!

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Proverb A DAy

Opening Dad's Treasure Chest! - Proverbs 2:6-7

Work Ethic - Both Physical and Spiritual - Proverbs 10:5

What You Can Learn from an Ant . . . Proverbs 6:6

This High, Exalted, Costly Thing Called Wisdom . . . Proverbs 24:7

Mouth Patrol . . . Proverbs 21:23

RUN! THERE'S A FOOL PRESENT! - Proverbs 14:7

Proverb a Day

Archives

​Proverb A DAy

Opening Dad's Treasure Chest! - Proverbs 2:6-7

Work Ethic - Both Physical and Spiritual - Proverbs 10:5

What You Can Learn from an Ant . . . Proverbs 6:6

This High, Exalted, Costly Thing Called Wisdom . . . Proverbs 24:7

Mouth Patrol . . . Proverbs 21:23

RUN! THERE'S A FOOL PRESENT! - Proverbs 14:7

Proverb a Day

Archives

Proverb A DAy