Monday
Proverbs 18.1 “An unfriendly man pursues selfish ends;
he defies all sound judgement.
One definition of sin is to be curved in on ourselves. Friendship by definition looks outward, considers others, thinks of ways of helping, affirming, and supporting others in what their lives are about. Pursuing selfish ends, putting all our energy into what matters to us and what we want, “defies all sound judgement.” Jesus said, “If anyone will come after me let them deny themselves, take up their cross and follow me.” He also said “Whoever loses their life for my sake and the gospel, will find it.”
Tuesday
Proverbs 18.2 “A fool finds no pleasure in understanding,
but delights in airing his own opinions.”.
We all know them. Those won’t stop talking know-it-all people, who love the sound of their own voice, and have the world sussed out, they think! In Proverbs, good ‘understanding’ means much more than mental grasp of information. Understanding is growth in wisdom, and comes from reflection, hearing the views of others, being humble enough to be teachable. Those who air their own opinions are scattering chaff, not seed. James has good advice about such loud self-projection: “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry.” (James 1.19)
Wednesday
Proverbs 18.8 “The words of a gossip are like choice morsels;
they go down to a man’s inmost parts.”
There are two kinds of gossip. 1) Talking of people in ways that are untrue and unfair, but it makes us feel better because we enjoy putting down people we dislike! Such words are satisfying, delicious, and nourish hearts hungry for knowledge of someone else’s faults, mistakes or weaknesses. 2) The second kind is where what we pass on is true enough, but it is information entrusted to us in confidence, and sharing it risks undermining someone else’s reputation and social standing. Either way, gossip is profoundly unchristian, and breaks the basic principle of “Speaking the truth in love.”
Thursday
Proverbs 18.10 “The name of the Lord is a strong tower;
the righteous run to it and are safe.”
The name of the Lord refers to the promise-keeping, faithful God of the covenant, who surrounds his people with protective care and unfailing mercy. Proverbs isn’t just a handbook on how to get on with others, how to live responsibly, and how to get the most out of life. It’s all of that, but all such practical wisdom and lived experience is undergirded by obedience to God, and loving trust in the One who requires of us righteousness and justice. Whatever threatens or happens, safety is found in God who is an unassailable fortress for the righteous, “a very present help in time of trouble.” Wisdom that matters is to know where to flee when life falls in.
Friday
Proverbs 18.11 “The wealth of the rich is their fortified city
they imagine it is an unscalable wall.
Money doesn’t buy everything, we know that. But wealth does bring power, and power is always desperate to defend itself. Jesus warned about a man who built bigger barns with a view to the good life. If someone only lives for profit, then they are living an unprofitable life. Why? Because they are smothering their soul under a weight of accumulated responsibilities, anxieties, and runaway greed. Instead of security they create insecurity, the fear of losing everything life is invested in. “Seek first the Kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things fall into place.”
Saturday
Proverbs 18.13 “He who answers before listening –
that is his folly and his shame.”
It’s rude to interrupt. Proverbs says it’s also foolish. Whether, and how we listen to others is one of the hallmarks of wisdom. An interruption is a power play, claiming the right to be heard rather than acknowledging the importance of this other person and what they are saying. If we insist on speaking, we are simply reiterating what we already know; if we listen, there’s a chance we’ll learn something! Jesus said, “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” Meekness is strength harnessed to purpose, an intentional restraint for the sake of others. Very often, the most loving thing we can do for someone is to listen, meekly,.….without interrupting!
Sunday
Proverbs 18.19 “The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge;
the ears of the wise seek it out.
Knowledge, discernment, understanding, wisdom; those are real gold, valuable qualities worth seeking and acquiring. To know God, to discern God’s ways, to understand God’s law, to prize wisdom above prosperity – these are the goals that bring fulfilment and a life worth living, and worthy of the God whose gift life is. Or as Peter says: “Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.”
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