We demonstrate biblical wisdom by the quality of both our advice and our lives. Proverbs and Godly Living Skills--Part Twelve describes how the wise manage their resources and how they relate to others.
They Manage Their Resources Wisely
The wise guard against all forms of greed, knowing God doesn’t measure them by how much they possess (Luke 12:15). They don’t try to get rich quickly (Proverbs 28:22). They don’t plan to retire by the age of thirty.
They don’t spend money foolishly. They don’t play the lottery or invest money in risky ventures like speculative and emerging market stocks or junk bonds.
They don’t put up security for a friend’s debt or guarantee a stranger’s debt (Proverbs 6:1, 17:18, 22:26). They use their money wisely to enhance their lives (Proverbs 10:16) and the lives of others.
They don’t burn the candle at both ends and wear themselves out trying to get rich (Proverbs 23:4). They honor the LORD with their wealth and give Him the best part of what they produce (Proverbs 3:9). They thereby demonstrate that God, not earthly things, is their highest priority.
They diligently use their resources (Proverbs 12:27). They faithfully manage their time, talents, energy, and finances, knowing that they must eventually explain to God how they managed all four (1 Corinthians 4:2).
Their money doesn’t run out before their month does. They spend less than their income (Proverbs 21:20). They save for their future needs or for an inheritance to their grandchildren (Proverbs 13:22).
By contrast, the foolish don’t manage their time, talents, energy, and finances wisely. They are greedy for money (Proverbs 1:19). More is never enough.
They are idolaters. They prize earthly goods more than they value God (Ephesians 5:5). Because they are enslaved to money, they can’t serve Him (Matthew 6:24) and don’t invest their resources to extend His kingdom.
They Relate Wisely to Others
They spend time with and learn from other wise people (Proverbs 13:20). They sharpen one another that way (Proverbs 27:17).
They win friends (Proverbs 11:30) and stick closer to them than a brother (Proverbs 18:24). They are loyal in relationships. They protect their employer’s interests (Proverbs 27:18).
They know what to say and when to say it depending on others’ moods (Proverbs 25:20). They avoid irritating others unnecessarily. They don’t wear out their welcome (Proverbs 25:17). They don’t interfere with others’ arguments (Proverbs 26:17).
They stay away from and don’t honor fools (Proverbs 14:7, 26:8). They don’t trust fools to convey a message (Proverbs 26:6). They don’t put confidence in them during times of trouble (Proverbs 25:19). They know they can’t depend on them.
They don’t seek wisdom from fools (Proverbs 26:7, 9). They don’t give them advice either (Proverbs 23:9). They don’t answer foolish arguments (Proverbs 26:4).
They know that bad company corrupts good character (1 Corinthians 15:33). They don’t envy evil people or desire their company (Proverbs 24:1). They distance themselves from the enticement of sinners (Proverbs 1:10).
They don’t associate with angry, hot-tempered people (Proverbs 22:24). They don’t eat with stingy people (Proverbs 23:6). They don’t carouse with drunkards, feast with gluttons, or sleep too much (Proverbs 23:20-21).
They don’t envy or copy the ways of violent people (Proverbs 3:31). They fear the LORD and the king and don’t associate with rebels (Proverbs 24:21). They know that those who lie down with dogs walk away with fleas and ticks.
Their wisdom protects them from the influence of evil and immoral people (Proverbs 2:12–16). They don’t have close relationships with sexually immoral people (Proverbs 23:27–28) and don’t have wild friends (Proverbs 28:7).
They treat their parents well (Proverbs 19:26). They honor their father and mother (Proverbs 23:22). They don’t insult, mock, or despise them (Proverbs 20:20, 30:18). #freechristiandiscipleshipresources #freeevangelismresources #freechristianleadershipresources
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