From my last bulletin article, we examined a few of my favorite proverbs; this time around I would like to examine some Proverbs that can be difficult to swallow. These are not difficult to understand, but they are hard to accept and apply to our lives. Will you grow in knowledge by listening to what wisdom has to offer?
A wise person is willing to take criticism and not take offense to it (Prov. 9:8). Have you ever met that person who goes into a defensive rage when corrected or criticized (Prov. 29:11)? Those who get angry at correction fit into the category of the scoffer or wicked man (Prov. 9:7). Yet, someone who is wise does not abuse or hate the person who gives them criticism. Instead the wise view correction as an opportunity to grow even more in wisdom (Prov. 9:9). Is there ever a point where we have perfected what we do in this life? David, a great and powerful king, was open to being rebuked by a righteous person (Ps. 141:5). Wise people openly accept criticism and if the correction is justified, they listen to the advice! If the criticism is not justified, thank the person for their advice and move on! There is a reason wisdom and humility go hand-in-hand. Those who despise criticism are prideful, not thinking they are in need of any correction. What happens to the prideful person (Prov. 16:18)? “Better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud” (Prov. 16:19).
Have you ever been tempted by a get-rich-quick scheme? It almost seems like the majority of people in this world want to be incredibly wealthy, but do not want to work for it. Do you think that this only applies to our time? In ancient times people wanted to cheat the system to become wealthy by dishonest means too (Prov. 13:11)! Though people may obtain wealth through wickedness, it will not last. Either they will lose their dishonest gain in this life or when they die. There is a reason why you do not see U-Haul trailers attached to the back of a hearse, you cannot take things with you (1 Tim. 6:7)! One of my favorite board games growing up was “Life”. How do you win this board game? Once you make it to retirement, you count up all your money, and the one who has the greatest wealth wins. Is this how you win at real life? Another Proverb says, “Better is a little with righteousness than vast revenues without justice” (Prov. 16:8). It is better to work hard, have little, and be right with God. Jesus said, “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his soul?” (Mk. 8:36). Instead of worrying about wealth, worry about your eternal soul.
One does not obtain wisdom through genetics or purchase, but it is gained only through learning and experience. Will you take these proverbs to heart? Not only hear the words, but apply them to the way you live. God desires all righteous people to live by these wise sayings. God’s wisdom is far superior to that of men. Will you not follow His wisdom and obey (1 Cor. 1:18-25)?
-Brandon Foresha
