Wow! I am loving this month. Partly the joy of discovering a little nugget that I have never seen before. Then the joy of the wisdom nugget itself.
While dining with a ruler, pay attention to what is put before you. If you are a big eater, put a knife to your throat; don’t desire all the delicacies, for he might be trying to trick you. Don’t wear yourself out trying to get rich. Be wise enough to know when to quit. Proverbs 23v1-4
This latest one seems to be a cautionary warning against the lure of power, status and wealth. These things in themselves are not bad, after all God is the most powerful, most important and most wealthy in the world.
The real challenge lies in being able to handle what I have been given or entrusted with. I can learn a lot from observing others, and then observing my own desire and response to what others have. The Bible teaches that wealth is deceptive and those who pursue it can fall into many harmful desires. Paul understood this, hopefully Timothy listened. I pray that I do also.
But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 1 Timothy 6v6-9
Living in the U.K and mid-way through my fourth decade I need to hear these warnings again and again, especially as the more I have seems to grow or could grow. Balance, perspective and priorities are vital.
When you sit down to eat with a ruler, observe carefully what is before you, and put a knife to your throat if you are given to appetite. Do not desire his delicacies, for they are deceptive food. Do not toil to acquire wealth; be discerning enough to desist. Proverbs 23v1-4
