Shownotes
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy
Welcome to Day 461 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.
This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom
Watch Your Tongue – Proverbs [21:17]-31
Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is Day 461 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 2nd half of Chapter 21.
We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. We are starting to settle into a routine here after consolidating households. Between the falling leaves, clearing fallen branches from a heavy storm from last week, unpacking of our household items, and completing our normal client work, we have plenty to keep us busy each day.
The leaves continue to change and then fall, as the temperatures cool down to a normal autumn range. The deer, woodpeckers, squirrels, and hawks that we see out our windows are all preparing for the coming of winter. In the same manner, we need to prepare for each changing season of our lives. In every season of life, we need to seek wisdom, insight, and understanding both from God’s Word and from other wise individuals. Let us not forget our own preparations as we break camp for our trek today, and let us explore the nuggets of wisdom found in the second half of Proverbs 21 where we will learn to…
Watch Your Tongue
Let’s start our trek with verse 17.
17 Those who love pleasure become poor;
those who love wine and luxury will never be rich.
While there is nothing wrong with occasionally relaxing and enjoying the pleasures of life, if it becomes our focus, to the detriment of our work, then it will lead to poverty. In the same manner when we are consumed with vices and things instead of impacting the lives of others, then we will never become wealthy.
18 The wicked are punished in place of the godly,
and traitors in place of the honest.
There are certain precepts and practices that we must adhere to that are in accordance with God’s Word. If we choose not to, then we will suffer the consequences of our choices. If we choose to live godly and honestly, then we will be rewarded for our choices.
19 It’s better to live alone in the desert
than with a quarrelsome, complaining wife.
While the context of this verse references a quarrelsome, complaining wife, it can be equally true of a husband. While I do not have personal experience with this issue, I have seen couples that are so negative and choose to argue all the time. I can only imagine that it would be easier to live alone than in a contentious marriage.
20 The wise have wealth and luxury,
but fools spend whatever they get.
The reason the wise have wealth and luxury is that they are frugal and prudent in their spending habits. When we honestly analyze our lives and our spending habits, it is evident that there are very few true needs in our lives. Most of what we have are wants. The difference is that fools will spend all that they earn and not invest or save. Many will even go into debt for that which is not a necessity. In doing so, they make themselves perpetually poor.
21 Whoever pursues righteousness and unfailing love
will find life, righteousness, and honor.
What we think about we pursue. When what we pursue is in line with God’s precepts, such as living right and with unconditional love for others, we will live a rich and satisfying life.
22 The wise conquer the city of the strong
and level the fortress in which they trust.
A wise person understands that human strongholds will never fully protect or bring peace. The wise will live with victory in their lives and confound or thwart those who think that they are strong within themselves. The strong rely on their riches, which they think is their fortress.
23 Watch your tongue and keep your mouth shut,
and you will stay out of trouble.
Many times within the book of Proverbs Solomon warns us about talking too much and when it is not appropriate. This is obviously a trait that many struggle with. Here we are encouraged to watch what we say and preferably not speak unless it is needed. If we do this, then we will stay out of trouble that we might otherwise experience.
24 Mockers are proud and haughty;
they act with boundless arrogance.
Those who mock God and others made in His image show their pride and arrogance. They are so wrapped up in themselves that it consumes them.
25 Despite their desires, the lazy will come to ruin,
for their hands refuse to work.
The laws of planting and harvesting once again are evident in this verse. Those who are poor desire to be wealthy, but they are so unmotivated and lazy that they ruin themselves. If a person chooses not to work, then he will never see his outlook change.
26 Some people are always greedy for more,
but the godly love to give!
You can tell what a person is truly like by his or her generosity to others. Some are stingy and selfish, and their lives are generally poor, both in wealth and attitude or outlook. On the other hand, when you see a person who loves to help others both materially and physically, his or her life reflects true riches in both areas also.
27 The sacrifice of an evil person is detestable,
especially when it is offered with wrong motives.
Tied somewhat to the previous verse, if a person’s heart is not loving for others, even when he shares his wealth, it is of no value because it is offered with wrong motives.
28 A false witness will be cut off,
but a credible witness will be allowed to speak.
In a proper hearing in a court of law or within a debate, a person who is speaking lies should not be allowed to continue. Contrary to this is a person who speaks the truth is allowed to continue with his or her testimony.
29 The wicked bluff their way through,
but the virtuous think before they act.
It is soon evident when a person does not really know what he or she is talking about. The individual is hasty in his or her decisions, often making mistakes and failing. An honorable person thinks and then plans before taking action so that the chances of success are greatly increased.
30 No human wisdom or understanding or plan
can stand against the Lord.
31 The horse is prepared for the day of battle,
but the victory belongs to the Lord.
These last two verses are connected in their message. God is in control, and no amount of human scheming, planning, or effort will stand if not permitted by God. Although we should plan and prepare, it should be done with wisdom, insight, and understanding. Even with our best efforts, God ultimately will control the outcome of our plans.
The nuggets of wisdom that we gathered in verses 17-31 of Proverbs 21 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 and will discover 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 your daily dose 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. I would challenge you today to take just one precept that we learn today in Proverbs and commit yourself to applying it to your life.
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 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!