The Precious Jewel

For Friday, February 9, 2007
Proverbs 20:15

There is gold and abundance of costly stones,
but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.

Like the previous proverb, this one presents a scenario that goes against the common wisdom of the marketplace. There are those who train to become experts in identifying pure gold and costly jewels. Such items are valued for their beauty, but their market value is based on their rarity. However beautiful a jewel may be, if their are many comparable then its value diminishes.

The lips of knowledge are a precious jewel, and indeed in comparison to the amount of gold and costly stones they are more rare and all the more to be valued. There are many persons who know lots of information; many who are clever. But the lips of knowledge that Scripture has in mind are rare and valuable beyond these others. For this knowledge is that which teaches the fear of the Lord and leads those who listen and obey along the path of eternal life. This knowledge imparts wisdom that is able to discern what is of true value and what is mere imitation. This knowledge blesses and reaps blessing. It cannot be stolen, and the more it is given the purer and more abundant it becomes in the giver.

But again, it is also rare. For even those who have "found" the truth of the gospel still mix in false teaching. Even those who think they are imparting the true Word are often imparting worldly wisdom. The lips of knowledge - of Gospel wisdom - are precious; and when you hear them, value them for what they are and adorn yourself with them through obedience. Those are the costly stones most beautiful to adorn.

The Greatest Bargain

For Thursday, February 8, 2007
Proverbs 20:14

"Bad, Bad," says the buyer,
but when he goes away, then he boasts.

The savvy shopper does not reveal how much he truly values the object he wants. He is critical of the object. He points out its flaws. He doesn't need it and certainly can't afford what is being asked. All the while he inwardly prizes it. When he does acquire the object, he then may boast of its value.

This is how we normally conduct business. We look for a "good deal." We try to get the best bargain we can.

But then there is that rare object who value is so clear that one would be ashamed to bargain for it. Indeed, the buyer is only to ready to pay full cost. So it is with the gospel, the pearl for which the knowing buyer eagerly gives all that he possesses. Such a pearl the "savvy" buyer cannot buy. It is not available to bargain hunters, even though it is the greatest of all bargains. Even when we give away all that we possess, its value is such that we grow only the richer for possessing it.

No, the gospel is not an object to haggle over. God cannot be bartered with and certainly not over the matter of the value of his Son's atoning death. He offers the gospel, but not for bartering. He offers it free, but will only give to those who recognize its costliness. And those who obtain it boast only in the Lord's great mercy to them who do not deserve such a gift.

Sleep Deprivation

For Tuesday, February 6, 2007
Proverbs 20:13

Love not sleep, lest you come to poverty;
open your eyes, and you will have plenty of bread.

Don't suffer sleep deprivation, that is, the sleep that deprives you of being industrious. It is healthy to get a "good night's" sleep; it is hurtful to linger in bed and block the sun out of your eyes. However comfortable you may feel for the moment, you are robbing yourself.

How so? For one thing, you are robbing yourself of hours of work - work that will produce food or money for food. You cannot earn your pay while sleeping in bed. Another thing is that you are robbing yourself of energy to work. Sleep is necessary to restore a body's energy, but too much sleep tires the body; it tires the mind as well. Activity is necessary to generate energy for body and mind.

And then, too much sleep increases the likelihood that you will miss opportunities that come your way for success. As another proverb outside the Bible says, "The early bird catches the worm." How many opportunities have you missed because sleep kept your eyes closed?

Finally, understand that "sleep" represents more than closed eyes. It is closing the eyes of your mind and of your heart. You can walk around with your physical eyes wide open, and still sleep through the opportunities God has provided for you to see him and to see his work. Indeed, your prayer in the morning should be "Lord, open my eyes to all the opportunities you will give me to glorify you this day," rather than "give me opportunities." The Lord has much bread to give you today if you will but open your eyes and be active serving and enjoying him today.

Eyes and Ears

For Monday, February 5, 2007
Proverbs 20:12

The hearing ear and the seeing eye,
the Lord has made them both.

"Who has made man's mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the Lord?" So spoke the Lord to Moses (cf Exodus 4:10-12). What do we have that is not from the Lord? And what has he given us that is not to be used for his glory?

God has given us ears by which we may hear the gospel and live. He has given us ears that we may hear instruction and obey him. He has given us eyes that we may see the path of righteousness and follow it; eyes to see the stumbling blocks and dangers to avoid.

He has given us the hearing ear and the seeing eye to hear and see that which is good. To use the ear and the eye for sin is to abuse his creative gifts. We are to use our faculties to receive that which is good and true; we are to use our faculties to follow along the paths of goodness and truth; and we are to use them to speak and show to the ears and eyes of others the goodness and truth of the gospel.

What will go into your ears and eyes today?