Bearing Good Fruit

For Friday, September 2, 2005
Proverbs 12:12

Whoever is wicked covets the spoil of evildoers,
but the root of the righteous bears fruit.

We see this proverb being played out in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. The wicked are looting, committing violence, and using con schemes to take the spoil of anyone. The righteous are looking after one another and making sacrifices to provide help. The disaster is revealing the hearts of men and women. For the wicked it presents opportunity to act upon their coveting; for the righteous it is opportunity to bear the fruit of good deeds.

The disaster is an opportunity for others to capitalize politically. For others it is an opportunity to unitedly work together. How about you? Is this disaster bringing out good fruit in you as you help and pray? Or are you taking the opportunity to grumble and even judge the victims? Take this opportunity to bear the good fruit of Christian love and mercy.

Good and Worthless Pursuits

For Thursday, September 1, 2005
Proverbs 12:11

Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread,
but he who follows worthless pursuits lacks sense.

This proverb distinguishes between the persons who seem to have the good luck of keeping work and having enough provisions and those who keep running into the bad fortune of not finding the right job or getting the fortunate break. I once commented to a relative about another relative's "bad luck" in the workplace. He responded that sometimes we make our own luck.

We all experience bad fortune one time or another. Circumstances occur beyond our control. But if we continually bounce from job to job; if we keep having the bad luck of working for the wrong boss or with the wrong colleagues; if we can't seem to find anyone to appreciate our "unique" gifts, we need to do some serious self-examination.

Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread because he is not ever looking at his neighbor's land wishing he had the good soil and the tools of his neighbor. He is not day dreaming about the career that is not his gift or calling. He may dream, but he works hard to reach that dream and works diligently now so as to prove himself when the time comes. If a man is married, he must place the welfare of his family first. He can be sure that his calling includes providing for his family.

How do we know if what we are pursuing is a worthless pursuit? We ask. We ask those who know us well; we ask those whom we think have "made it"; we pray to God for wisdom; we commend our dreams to God. Whatever our pursuit may be, it must be for the glory of God and to serve God.

Regard for Life

For Wednesday, August 31, 2005
Proverbs 12:10

Whoever is righteous has regard for the life of his beast,
but the mercy of the wicked is cruel.

The righteous has regard for his beast because he is just, compassionate, and wise. It is a matter of justice to protect and preserve life. God is Creator of the animals, and we must have just cause to harm his creatures, especially those whom he has given to serve us. Righteousness includes compassion, as exemplified by the mercy our Righteous God has shown us. And then, it is wise to care for the beast who serves his master, thereby extending and promoting his usefulness.

Besides encouraging good care for animals, the point of the proverb is that righteousness leads us to care for everyone regardless of their status in life. The righteous have regard for the unborn, the handicapped, the terminally ill, the aged, the poor. Our regard for those who are considered the weak in society signifies our maturity in Christ.

Is there someone at work, in the neighborhood, in school who is shown little regard? By you? Take time to give him/her attention. Show regard for the life which God has made.

Better to be Lowly

For Tuesday, August 30, 2005
Proverbs 12:9

Better to be lowly and have a servant
than to play the great man and lack bread.

It is better to have shown the wisdom and done the labor to provide for oneself and one's family, than to give the appearance of prosperity and yet in truth have nothing that is secure. Thus, it is better to not be able to join the fashionable crowd that spends freely because you are wisely keeping to your budget, than to run up debt in an effort to appear well-to-do.

We are tempted to play at being what we are not. We buy the clothes that make us seem more prosperous and more worldly than we are. We buy music, see movies, etc. based on the opinion of the crowd we want to fit in with. We "play" the part that others deem important.

But again, it is better to be lowly in the eyes of others and be true to ourselves; no, be true to God. For as we are true to God, so we are true to who we are made to be. As we are true to God, so we will prove to be wise. As we are true to God, so we will find true security in him.

Good Sense

For Monday, August 29, 2005
Proverbs 12:8

A man is commended according to his good sense,
but one of twisted mind is despised.

This proverb presents a virtue that is often overlooked and underestimated, but may be the most important in success. It is the difference maker for ability to manage people and to achieve any goal that involves people. It is good sense; also known as commonsense. A man may possess tremendous knowledge and skill, but if he lacks commonsense his genius can become a curse for him, as well as others. A person may know the right goal, but if he lacks good sense about obtaining that goal, he will not only fail to reach it but stir up greater trouble.

Good-hearted Christians often create trouble for lack of good sense. We read a command in Scripture, and in our effort to obey it we set ourselves up for failure, as well as offend others. We overestimate our abilities and those of others. We don't think through how to speak in love, so intent to speak the truth (as we interpret it). We don't use commonsense. We may not have twisted minds, but we earn for ourselves the same reward - resentment.

Pray today that you will use good sense in your interactions with others and as you work to achieve your goals. Seek the counsel of others, especially those who have earned a reputation for good sense. Humbly learn from them.