Jun 6 (Daily reading: Proverbs 10-12) Solomon wrote: “A wise son makes a father glad” (10:1). He then gave some characteristics of a wise son.
Honesty and fairness: “Treasures of wickedness profit nothing” (10:2, NKJV). What is attained by questionable means will bring disappointment in the end.
Hard work: “He who gathers in summer is a son who acts wisely, but he who sleeps in harvest is a son who acts shamefully” (10:5). Do not expect something for nothing!
Character: “One who walks in integrity walks securely, but one who perverts his ways will be found out” (10:9). Living by the rule that “the end justifies the means” is inviting disaster. Let love direct your path: “Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses” (10:12).
Humility: “One who is on the path of life follows instruction, but one who ignores a rebuke goes astray” (10:17). A sign of humility is being teachable: “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a person who listens to advice is wise” (12:15). Those who are wise will listen; they will be open to advice; they will seek the opinion of others.
Generosity: “A generous person will be prosperous, and one who gives others plenty of water will himself be given plenty” (11:25). Giving water is sharing what is essential for life! In evaluating the gift of the widow, Jesus said that the rich gave from their surplus, but “she, from her poverty, put in all that she had to live on” (Lk. 21:4). Generosity may be evaluated more by what is left than by what is given!
Encouragement: “Anxiety in a person’s heart weighs it down, but a good word makes it glad” (12:25). A “good word” from scripture encourages us. We can be encouragers by sharing “good words” with others.
– Al Gary
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