Day 13 - 40 Days of WISDOM
Dr Jim Brown's TruNorth Devotional
40 Days of WISDOM
Day 13 | DO YOURSELF A FAVOR
40 Days of WISDOM
Day 13 | DO YOURSELF A FAVOR
DO YOURSELF A FAVOR
Proverbs 19:8
“To acquire wisdom is to love yourself;
people who cherish understanding will prosper.” (NLT)
Life is full of decisions. Some are small and incidental, whereas others are monumental and life-changing. Even as children, we must learn to make good decisions. This is why God wisely gave children parents.
But in this verse, Solomon is trying to teach his son – and us too – the value of making WISE decisions as opposed to the other kind: unwise or just plain stupid decisions.
Let me ask: Have you ever made any stupid decisions? Sure, we all have; and many of those stupid decisions were just out and out SIN. We didn’t seek the wisdom of the wise; we just followed our own inclinations (or whatever) and eventually regretted it. So, although young children would probably not understand this verse, those in their teens and above should.
On first blush, seeing “loving yourself” as a good thing here seems a bit self-absorbed. Many would argue that we should not “love ourselves” – and I understand the dilemma. We’ve been taught in Sunday school and church for years: “JOY = Jesus first, other second, and yourself last.” But here, Solomon has counseled us to LOVE ourselves by acquiring wisdom. But then he expands it and says that possessing wisdom is good, beneficial, and helpful – and that it’s a good thing. Further… WISDOM isn’t just something you get, but you cherish and keep it; by doing that, you will PROSPER.
The Message says it this way: “Grow a wise heart—you’ll do yourself a favor; keep a clear head—you’ll find a good life.”
Thinking some more about children, is there any parent who does NOT want his child to “find a good life”? Of course we do. And that requires us to acquire WISDOM and proper understanding.
PRAYER: Lord, I know you love me, as I’m one of your born-again children. I also know that you want the best for me. Help me always to seek and acquire Your wisdom. Amen.
Proverbs 19:8
“To acquire wisdom is to love yourself;
people who cherish understanding will prosper.” (NLT)
Life is full of decisions. Some are small and incidental, whereas others are monumental and life-changing. Even as children, we must learn to make good decisions. This is why God wisely gave children parents.
But in this verse, Solomon is trying to teach his son – and us too – the value of making WISE decisions as opposed to the other kind: unwise or just plain stupid decisions.
Let me ask: Have you ever made any stupid decisions? Sure, we all have; and many of those stupid decisions were just out and out SIN. We didn’t seek the wisdom of the wise; we just followed our own inclinations (or whatever) and eventually regretted it. So, although young children would probably not understand this verse, those in their teens and above should.
On first blush, seeing “loving yourself” as a good thing here seems a bit self-absorbed. Many would argue that we should not “love ourselves” – and I understand the dilemma. We’ve been taught in Sunday school and church for years: “JOY = Jesus first, other second, and yourself last.” But here, Solomon has counseled us to LOVE ourselves by acquiring wisdom. But then he expands it and says that possessing wisdom is good, beneficial, and helpful – and that it’s a good thing. Further… WISDOM isn’t just something you get, but you cherish and keep it; by doing that, you will PROSPER.
The Message says it this way: “Grow a wise heart—you’ll do yourself a favor; keep a clear head—you’ll find a good life.”
Thinking some more about children, is there any parent who does NOT want his child to “find a good life”? Of course we do. And that requires us to acquire WISDOM and proper understanding.
PRAYER: Lord, I know you love me, as I’m one of your born-again children. I also know that you want the best for me. Help me always to seek and acquire Your wisdom. Amen.
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