Sunday, July 25, 1999 This Week's Lesson:
In this week's lesson, which came from Proverbs 11:14-18, we gained more bits of wisdom from the heart and mind of Solomon. In these verses, he wrote about the importance of seeking sound advice, of being cautious when entering into a financial arrangement on the behalf of someone else, and of doing the right things. First of all, people should seek good, godly advice. Solomon's son, as a newly crowned king, did not act wisely when the people came to him with their complaints. In I Kings 12:4b-5, the people said, "...Thy father made our yoke grievous: now therefore make thou the grievous service of thy father, and his heavy yoke which he put upon us, lighter, and we will serve thee. And he said unto them, Depart yet for three days, then come again to me. And the people departed." Later, in I Kings 12:12-14, the Bible says, "So Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam the third day, as the king had appointed, saying, Come to me again the third day. And the king answered the people roughly, and forsook the old men's counsel that they gave him; And spake to them after the counsel of the young men, saying, My father made your yoke heavy, and I will add to your yoke: my father also chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions." King Rehoboam had sought the counsel of the older and younger men of his city. However, he did not act wisely, and it cost him his kingdom. The people left him and followed Jeroboam.
We should never merely seek the advice of others. Instead, we should turn to those who are godly and allow them to share their wisdom with us. Remember that God gives wisdom freely to all that ask. Another source for sound counseling is the Bible. Psalms 1:1-2 says, "Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night." Following his discussion on seeking good advice, Solomon next offered advice about signing loans for other people. As Christians, we need to be careful about the kinds of financial arrangements that we make. It is not wise to seek counsel from the ungodly. It is also not wise to put yourself at risk financially without careful consideration beforehand. In Proverbs 11:15, Solomon warned about cosigning for a stranger by saying that the individual would eventually smart for it, or as is in the Hebrew, cry out in distress. We need to be careful to not cosign irresponsibly for others. However, we also need to be careful to have the mind of Christ when it comes to helping others. According to James 2:15-17, our faith is dead if we fail to help those around us who are in need. So, how can a person know what to do? The answer is not so terribly complicated. We can help those around us as we are able and as we feel led. At those times when we are not able to help with our substance, we can simply pray and ask the Lord to meet the needs.
Solomon ended his remarks by encouraging us to be gracious and strong and to live right. He said that the cruel would bring trouble to themselves, that the wicked are deceitful, and that the righteous are always rewarded. As you go through the coming week, reflect on these truths and try to be the person that the Lord would have you be.
Tom of Spotswood"He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life." (I John 5:12)
"And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart." (Jeremiah 29:13)
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