Love Over Money

Reading for Today: Proverb Chapter 15

Gold Nugget

Verse 17: Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a fatted calf with hatred. 

Commentary

There have been countless movies and books that tell the story of the one that forsakes riches and fame for the simplicity of peace, love and happiness. Even in those stories, usually the person that makes this sacrifice is rewarded with both love and riches. Well, that’s the movies. They have to get both riches and love to appeal to our natural desires to see the hero get both. If not, we would leave the movie theater feeling shorted. Although there are exceptions to the rule in how the movie ends, we still sacrifice the wrong things too often in our real lives. In our nation, we sacrifice peace, love and happiness for a life that promises riches and popularity. Our children are being raised by daycares; our spouses are looking for fulfillment from their jobs and friends more than from each other and our God is being replaced with anything that we set our eyes on for the moment. Today’s “gold nugget” reminds us that “Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a fatted calf with hatred.” It is better to live with less and have love, than to have abundance and live in turmoil. How many families are living without peace and love in big houses, fine cars, and fancy clothes? It is the American way of life. We would rather have someone raise our children for us so we can double our income for greedy motives. It’s sometimes necessary to double the income, but usually not for greedy incentives. Why not live on a more modest platform and increase the quality of life for our families? The quality of life isn’t gauged by luxuries, but by peace, love and happiness.

Prayer

Lord, I want to remember what is truly important in my life. I wan't to honor you and put the important things in life in their proper perspective. I will put the love of others and you before the things that this world has to offer. Amen

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Slow to Speak

Reading for Today: Proverb Chapter 15


Gold Nugget
Verse 28: The heart of the righteous studies how to answer, the mouth of the wicked pours forth evil.

Commentary
While playing cards, they used to know whose turn it was when the game came to a halt. "It must be Steve's turn", they would say. Another would say, "Study long, study wrong". I probably take too long to consider my next move to a fault, but it has saved me some heartache as well. Thinking about my next move in cards, while playing out the different scenarios that could result from my play - would often slow down the game. I guess cards aren’t the only area of my life that I exercise this practice.

When dealing with people, this can be a valuable attribute. Even when people are being mean or ugly, carefully choosing your words is essential. Or as today's gold nugget says; "The heart of the righteous studies how to answer". Consider the differant scenarios or potential reactions that poeple may have from the words you choose. Wicked and foolish people pour evil out of their mouth. The scripture clearly describes the behavior of the righteous and of the wicked. What best describes you? Are you someone that says whatever hurtful thing comes to mind without regard to the harm it will cause? Or are you someone that stills your tongue and considers carefully what your response will be if you will give any response at all?

Processing your thoughts before acting or speaking and then feeling confident that what you are going to say is okay with the Lord is what is expected of a Christian that walks in wisdom. We can't continue to speak what is on our minds at the expense of others and refer to ourselves as Christians. We don't want people to think that is how we all act. Protect the name of the Lord and the effectiveness of other Christians by proving what defines a child of God.

Prayer
Lord, give me the strength to hold my tongue and the wisdom to respond with truth and love. Remind me that I don't need to rush my response to someone's opposition of me. If I can have the self control to stop my tongue, I know you will give me the wisdom of when and how to start it up again. Amen

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Bite Your Tongue

Reading for Today: Proverb Chapter 15

Gold Nugget

Verse 1,2,4,28: 1 A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger. 2 The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly, But the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness. 4 A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, But perverseness in it breaks the spirit. 28 The heart of the righteous studies how to answer, But the mouth of the wicked pours forth evil. 

Commentary

I have some experience in arguments. I have some communication skills and can make my points without raising my voice, swinging my arms around, etc. (unless I'm preaching) Some people use the escalation of voices and insults to the point sometimes of physical violence. My soft answers did not always turn away wrath. 1 A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger That didn't mean however,  that my "soft" answers were helpful words. 2 The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly, But the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness. My "soft" words were not necessarily "right" words. Eventually the lack of agreement would lead to an escalation of voices and threats. When the emotions begin to flow, the accusations would soon follow.  4 A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, That was not truth and the perversion of truth breaks the spirit. But perverseness in it breaks the spirit.

We must develop some skills from His Word like the ones mentioned in this chapter:

• A soft answer does turn away wrath (if the next is true)
• The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly 
• A wholesome tongue is a tree of life
• The heart of the righteous studies how to answer

We have learned that not following these principles will result in the following:

• Harsh words stir up anger
• The mouth of a fool pours forth foolishness
• Perverseness (speaking false accusations) does break the spirit
• The mouth of a fool pours forth evil

Prayer

Lord, thank you for the opportunity to see the areas of my life that need attention. Give me the strength to use these truths when I communicate with others. I want to be a better example of your love when dealing with conflict. Help me to know that my tongue can bring death or life. I want to be a life giver. One who uses words to help and encourage.

Amen

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