Proverbs 13 WISDOM AT WORK Areas of personal life where we need wisdom taught by others in order to make sensible decisions, are in our words, work and wishes. Our communication is mainly through our words and body language. I have read that over 80% of communication is non-verbal. I am not sure about the percentage, but I do know that tone of voice, the tilt of the head and the position of the body, movements of the hand and facial expressions all reflect on what the words said really mean in the context of a conversation. Work in this chapter is referred to by the result of work which is wealth. To learn the value of meaningful work, parents need to begin to teach their children at a young age that everything they need to live has a value that is basically defined by how much work it takes to get it.
The wise son hears and heeds what his parents teach. Implied is the parents are willing to take the time needed to educate their sons and daughters. Parents have the responsibility to train their children, and children are responsible to learn and apply the instruction given. The foolish is not willing to listen, and considers what his parents tell him is of no value or interest to him. Many children today feel they are entitled to whatever their parents have, with no obligation on their part. Part of this attitude is the fault of the parents who don’t expect anything from their children, and part is the attitude of children toward doting parents or parents who are too busy to spend time with their children. When relationships in life are the way they should be, there is joy and satisfaction by both parties in the relationship. Those who cannot be trusted have a perverted sense of pleasure in promoting violence and seeing what they can break or destroy. Some empty-headed children find an evil satisfaction in breaking windows and mailboxes, rioting or flattening tires on cars.
Sometimes to say nothing has more impact for good than having a lot to say. It is important to think before speaking; to wait before interrupting. Careless conversation and too much talk can bring disaster on those who hear the gossip that is started or listen to the half-truths and innuendo that are passed from unguarded lips. A person who does not want to work, still wants what others have, so is never satisfied with what he has. He can tell everyone what needs to be done, but does nothing himself. Even Christians who know what needs to be done but think they are too busy, wonder, “Why doesn’t someone do something about that?” Laziness is contrasted by one who is diligent and goes to work to do what is needed and to be able to get what he wants.
A person of wisdom and diligence is approved of when he hates lying, deception and hypocrisy. He hates what is false. Wicked people are willing to lie to get what they want, but as a result, they become a disgusting smell to those who can see right through them. Right living is like having a guard around a wise person that preserves them from danger. Integrity is a preservative that doesn’t fail to meet the need of holy living in an ungodly world. Obedience to God keeps a person safe and secure. The sinner will fall because his own sin will find him out. Pretense usually has a motive behind it that is generally unknown. If a person pretends to be rich and has nothing, his hypocrisy is usually to try to make others respect him. Perhaps he hopes to get some understanding as to how a get-rich-quick scheme that doesn’t require hard work. When the opposite is true: a wealthy person pretends to be poor, that person is either a miser, doesn’t want to use what he has, nor does he want to use what he has to help others. There are riches that are of more value than money. A Christian like C.T. Studd, who gave his money away to be consistent with his calling, is rich in mercy, grace and love for Christ.
Rich people may be held captive for their money if robbers know they are wealthy. The “cares of this life and the deceitfulness of riches” can do that very quickly. A poor man won’t face “rebuke” or threats because he has nothing the thieves want. Spiritual riches are the best kind because they are treasures laid up in heaven. A life of purity and right living is like a light shining in the darkness of this fallen society. The life of those who practice evil will not last very long.
Pride and arrogance are problems common to all people. So, they are addressed in various ways to suit various situations in the proverbs. Jealousy, quarrels, on-going strife and bitterness come from pride. As far as unbelievers are concerned, pride is probably the number one soul-damning sin. Common sense in intelligent people leads them to accept advice and the wisdom of others. In that way they can avoid the strife that is so common among proud people. Sometimes we will have to admit that we have made mistakes, and that is hard on our pride. Money gained in dishonest ways reflects on a person’s character. Covetousness comes with a high cost, particularly to those who are addicted to gambling. The temporary gain of dishonesty will soon drain away to the regret and sadness of those who think they had it made. Honest work provides honest buying power because God favors the honest labor of a man or woman.
False hopes are not raised by wise people. Realistic desires that come to pass give joy to one’s heart and a new view of life, and a willingness to give God thanks for all we have received. Prayers are not always answered right away, but “the heart that burns” because of the wisdom and understanding that comes from the word of God, brings fruit that lasts. To scorn the word of God means you will have a price to pay. To obey the word of God and give it the honor it deserves, will bring great reward and that brings satisfaction. The word of God contains the wise teaching we need to live full lives. When we know the word of God and obey it, we will be able to avoid the snares of death that rob us of abundant life. Discernment is not an accident, but a choice we make when we open the scriptures of truth.
When a wise person respects the Lord and pays attention to what God’s word teaches, that person’s wisdom will be respected, and they will be respected. People know honesty and common sense when they see it in others, even though they reject it themselves. Those who don’t take control of their own minds and thoughts will run into problems that are harder than their hearts. Lack of morals, resistance to God and truth, make a hard heart and low character. The way a person lives reflects who they are in character. The prudent person conducts themselves and their life wisely. They know there are consequences to every action. The fool can’t help being foolish so he brags about all he does and makes an outward fool of himself.
If a messenger can’t be trusted with the truth, trouble will come right behind him. Fear of man, a desire to please everyone, and false hopes can make a person with a message compromise that for which he has been trusted to deliver. When a true ambassador of Christ presents a message, there will be blessing of one kind or another from that message. Haggai was the Lord’s messenger in the Lord’s message. When a person is given good advice and beneficial discipline, the way they take it for themselves determines whether they will fall into poverty and shame, or honor. Can I accept criticism and improve, or do I reject criticism and fail? How we take criticism and discipline will also determine whether we have used our life for benefit or wasted it. Worthwhile goals that we reach, results in satisfaction that has worth and value to us. It is sweet to know that what we have accomplished has real benefit. Those who live only for the moment will continue to do what they know is wrong for fleeting pleasure. If one feels they are entitled to what they have not earned, they will never be satisfied, no matter what they do.
Choose your friends wisely. If you spend time with those who are wise, you will become wise. Watch what wise people do. Listen to how they speak. See how they treat their parents, their family and how they regard the law of the land and social responsibilities. Any person who tries to introduce you to new sin is not a friend, but rather an enemy in disguise no matter what they may say or do. Fools will be harmed in life and destroyed so far as a useful life and eternity. Consequences for sin are going to follow the sinner whether he knows it or not. Some day they will catch up to, and defeat, those who choose sin. Consequences will also follow those who do what is right and what pleases the Lord. Those good consequences will more than repay any losses experienced. The Lord will honor those who honor Him.
We all will leave some sort of an inheritance to our children and grandchildren. To give them a lot of money so they don’t have to work will not do a lot of lasting good for them. The heritage of a good family reputation, praying parents and grandparents, words of wisdom from the scriptures, a lifetime of spiritual experiences passed on will do more for them than a free college education, a new car or a down payment on a house. A spiritual legacy will give spiritual direction. That which a sinner will end up with, will be given to the godly to be used in a right way. There is an abundance of food beneath our feet that is available to a poor farmer. It is up to us to break up the fallow ground. It may be that in some places in the world and under tyrannical government leaders or crooked business men, they will claim what the poor have by taxes or exorbitant rent to claim what they say is owed them.
Discipline in a family is essential to avoid chaos, selfishness, burst of temper and self-centeredness. How the “rod” of correction is used is generally indicative of the kind of love, and the degree of love the parent has for the child. Self- centered parents will let a child do what he or she wants. A loving parent will back up their love with discipline and training which takes time. Physical abuse is very different from loving but firm discipline. To leave a child untrained and allowing them to do what they want is unfair to the child, to the family and to society. It will leave him or her ill- equipped to deal with adult life that is not very far away. Those who know their children, know what kind of discipline to use, how much and when to use it.
A disciplined person will be godly in life and will know what is right and how to act upon it. They will have a spiritual appetite, and spiritual food will satisfy their spiritual hunger. The wicked have no “stomach” for truth and righteousness. They will live and die unsatisfied and unfulfilled.