Shownotes
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy
Welcome to Day 446 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.
This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom
Wise Words are More Valuable Than Riches – Proverbs 20:1-15
Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is Day 446 of our trek, and today is Wisdom Wednesday. Every Wednesday along life’s trails we dig for the nuggets of wisdom that are found within the book of Proverbs. Today we will explore the 1st half of Chapter 20.
We are broadcasting from our studio at Home2 in Charlotte, North Carolina. This past couple of weeks has certainly been a whirlwind for us. Just as fall is quickly approaching and the seasons are changing, so are the seasons of our life. I won’t cover the details yet, but when God decides to stir the nest, sometimes it comes rapidly. And we have to adjust plans sooner than we had anticipated. I will share more as the details become available.
As we do adapt to the ever-changing seasons of life, it certainly is beneficial to rely on the wisdom, insight, and understanding obtained through many years to help navigate the trails that we are hiking each day. Sharp turns, unexpected obstacles, and precarious ledges can come on us quickly. Being prepared for these unexpected situations will allow you to traverse the trails with the strength needed while maintaining your peace and joy.
In every season of life, we need to seek wisdom, insight, and understanding, so as we break camp for our trek today, let us explore the nuggets of wisdom found in the first half of Proverbs 20 where we will learn that…
Wise Words Are More Valuable Than Riches
Let’s start our trek with verse 1.
1 Wine produces mockers; alcohol leads to brawls.
Those led astray by drink cannot be wise.
While Biblically there is nothing wrong with having an occasional drink that contains alcohol, I personally have chosen not to consume alcoholic beverages of any kind because I do not desire for any substance to alter my mental state or subdue my inhibitions. As this verse references, it is not wise to allow alcohol to lead you down the trails that may lead to actions and words that are not pleasing to God.
2 The king’s fury is like a lion’s roar;
to rouse his anger is to risk your life.
Most of us don’t live under a monarchy today, but the same situation exists for anyone who works for or is under the supervision of another person. We should avoid causing those who lead us to become angry. It is not only humiliating, but it can also cause serious consequences within our work or other organizations where we serve.
3 Avoiding a fight is a mark of honor;
only fools insist on quarreling.
It is never wise to fight with another person. If the communication is proper, then there is no need to quarrel or fight with others. Whether it is in a marriage, family, friendship, or work relationship, a wise person will avoid fighting.
4 Those too lazy to plow in the right season
will have no food at the harvest.
The law of planting and harvesting is addressed again. If we are too lazy to plow, plant, and tend the crops in the proper season of life, then there will be no harvest. This concept is so simplistic, yet so profound. It applies to every area of life.
5 Though good advice lies deep within the heart,
a person with understanding will draw it out.
A wise and thoughtful person keeps his advice to himself and will only share it when it is prudent and appropriate. A person with understanding is also wise because he will tap into the good advice of a person who is wiser.
6 Many will say they are loyal friends,
but who can find one who is truly reliable?
It is easy to claim that you are loyal, but the proof is when another person is down and out. Can you be loyal and reliable then? We all need to work on being truly loyal in good and bad times.
7 The godly walk with integrity;
blessed are their children who follow them.
A godly person is known for his/her good integrity. When his children see him walk the walk as well as talk the talk, their lives will be blessed as they follow in his footsteps.
8 When a king sits in judgment, he weighs all the evidence,
distinguishing the bad from the good.
An honest and good leader will be fair and impartial when they need to make a decision. In any major decision that we make, we should consider all the factors before decided. This is wise and prudent. Let us be careful of jumping to conclusions.
9 Who can say, “I have cleansed my heart;
I am pure and free from sin?”
It takes a truly righteous person to be able to say with a clear conscious that you are in right standing before God and man. Although this is difficult, it should be our desire.
10 False weights and unequal measures,
the Lord detests double standards of every kind.
God desires that we are honest and transparent in all of our transactions. In our dealings with others, we need to make sure that we are fair, especially as we do business with others. We must make sure that all transactions are equitable to everyone involved. Anything less is a detestable act before God.
11 Even children are known by the way they act,
whether their conduct is pure, and whether it is right.
If you have ever raised children, you soon realize that even a baby as young as one has his own unique temperament and personality. There are some children that are pleasant and compliant, while others show an independent spirit that is hard to control. It is our role as parents and grandparents to help bend their uniqueness into a positive force for good.
12 Ears to hear and eyes to see—
both are gifts from the Lord.
We have so many blessings that we take for granted each day. Most of us can see and hear well, and yet we pay no attention to the beauty that is all around us in both sight and sound. Let us always be grateful for all the gifts that God continually showers on us each day. There is none so blind as the person who chooses not to see his blessings.
13 If you love sleep, you will end in poverty.
Keep your eyes open, and there will be plenty to eat!
Solomon in his wisdom reminds us frequently that we are to work hard and stay productive. If we spend too much time resting and not enough time working, then we will always be in poverty. Contrary to this is if we are diligent each day and make hay while the sun shines we will have plenty.
14 The buyer haggles over the price, saying, “It’s worthless,”
then brags about getting a bargain!
In our western culture, we are not used to haggling over the price of what we purchase. It is much different in the eastern cultures where negotiating the price of nearly everything that you purchase is expected. Even while acting disappointed during the process, an astute buyer will continue to haggle until the transaction is complete. Once they are away from the seller, then they can brag about their purchase.
15 Wise words are more valuable
than much gold and many rubies.
Throughout the book of Proverbs, we are continually reminded of how valuable wisdom is. Wise words from others are more valuable to us than any amount of gold, rubies, and other riches. To be rich in wisdom is to be truly wealthy.
The nuggets of wisdom that we gathered from verses 1-15 of Proverbs 20 provide more tasty morsels of wisdom, insight, and understanding. Regardless of your faith walk, if the precepts in Proverbs are followed, your life will be rich and satisfying. Take them and plant them in your heart so that you will reap a harvest of goodness.
Tomorrow we will hike another short trail of Wisdom Unplugged as we explore an inspirational wisdom quote. So encourage your friends and family to join us, and then come along with us tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.
That will finish our trek for today. As you enjoy these daily doses of wisdom, we ask you to help us grow Wisdom-Trek by sharing with your family and friends through email, Facebook, Twitter or in person and inviting them to come along with us each day. If you would like to listen to any of the past daily treks, they are available at Wisdom-Trek.com. Don’t forget to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek so each trek will be downloaded to you automatically.
Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.
As we take this trek of life together, let us always:
- Live Abundantly (Fully)
- Love Unconditionally
- Listen Intentionally
- Learn Continuously
- Lend to others Generously
- Lead with Integrity
- Leave a Living Legacy Each Day
This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow!