pursuit of wisdom

The discerning sets his face toward wisdom,

but the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth.

Proverbs 17:24

Setting goals with a sense of driving purposes is an important life skill. And even the laziest person does it. The unambitious have a goal (personal comfort) and a drive to attain it (do as little as possible). The opposite end of the ambition spectrum also have a goal (many things can plug in here, among them are… success, fame, money, power) and a motivation (applause, material things, social media attention, pleasure), But this proverb gives us the best goal and the clearest motivation: The goal is wisdom led by discernment. Everything else will be foolishness.

As a Christian I am convinced that Jesus is the wisest person Who has ever lived. And pursuing a life committed to follow Him is a wise thing to do because in Him “are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 1:26). If I am discerning (loving the right, rejecting the wrong, led by God’s Word) I will set my face toward Jesus and His wisdom and not look away. This is the best way to live. This is the great adventure of joyful wisdom, knowledge, understanding, and fulfillment. I will pour all this life, to the last drop, in that passionate pursuit.

caring like the Creator

Whoever mocks the poor insults his Maker;

he who is glad at calamity will not go unpunished.

Proverbs 17:5

It isn’t cool from heaven’s perspective to make fun of hurting people. It is a kind of arrogant bullying and it ultimately directs its insults at God. God’s Word says that such mockery will be punished by God. Why? Because God is Creator. God is in control. God is caring for the needs of the impoverished, the hurting, and the suffering, even when many in society might turn away. He is looking to use people like us to help them. To ridicule people made in God’s image is to insult the God of heaven. It will not be tolerated by God!

It follows then that God wants us to care as He does. He sees when we are concerned and reach out to help. Generosity with physical needs and sympathy with the suffering are the call to action here. If God punishes mockery and ridicule, it would follow that He will reward engagement, love, generosity, and advocacy for the neediest among us. We will care like God cares for His creation. We will incarnate the gospel by sharing Jesus as we help meet real needs. We will preach the redemptive love of Christ while simultaneously caring like Christ. We will thus honor our Creator. And God is pleased when we reflect His mercy and grace in our care.

generous gospel good works

And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful.

Titus 3:14

Something was going on for Paul in Nicopolis. This strategic port was a Roman capital and a bustling place for activity. It also had NO gospel witness and there was an urgent need for the gospel to advance. Paul was planning ministry there for a season. He wanted Titus to join him after receiving this letter (Titus 3:12). He was planning on spending the winter there rather than attempting further travel. There on the west coast of Greece, ministry was being strategized to continue advancing the gospel. Zenas the lawyer and the gifted speaker Apollos were apparently going to join with Titus and Paul (Titus 3:13). And effort would require commitment from the church for this dream team to form and do good work.

Paul enlists Titus to remind the church at Crete to join them with this effort. The devotion to “good works” spoken of here is probably a call for Christians to be generous in providing funds for Titus, Zenas, and Apollos to make the journey. It was also more than likely a request for the church to continue to join in the gospel expansion in Greece. It was Great Commission thinking for the congregation.

The gospel is commanded to go wide and deep. We must, as Christians, in very generation, preach the gospel to the ends of the earth. We must do good works along with this proclamation. We must invest our lives in the giving of time, abilities, resources, and money to make Jesus known. This is always the call. There is always need… because often the most difficult of circumstances (disasters, spiritual impoverishment, war zones, physical poverty, drought, or plague) call for the most Christlike compassion. And in those needs the gospel can thrive. In urgent need, we must be willing to do good works, sow generously, and cultivate kingdom fruitfulness.

arrogant abomination

Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the LORD;

be assured, he will not go unpunished.

Proverbs 16:5

Sinful pride is something God will never overlook. Arrogance that exalts self will be punished by God. And in a self-driven, “looking out for number one”, self-promotion, “follow your heart”, selfie obsessed culture, can arrogance NOT take deep root? It is truly the mark of our days, in many circles applauded as an achievement. And nothing can be further from the heart of God.

Arrogance worships personal autonomy. Arrogance celebrates personal sinful expression. Arrogance runs on a philosophy that “I know best”. Arrogance awards self-promotion and rolls out the red carpet for ego as the celebrity. Arrogance makes personal willful pride the defining personal characteristic above all others. Arrogance needs no other master than individual will. Arrogance fights and ridicules. Arrogance disregards the Word of God as an antiquated set of limiting rules… the ultimate offense against self. Arrogance defies God.

But humility is what brings the heart to God. Humility is the opposite of arrogance. Humility accepts the damage to self that sin has done. Humility celebrates the power and grace of God. Humility praises the God Who stoops to save and redeem broken lives. Humility raises hands in worship of God. Humility knows we need the Lord of Heaven to rule over us completely. Humility embraces the will of God. Humility loves the Word of God for the life-saving standards and gracious wisdom God gives. Humility adores God and repents of selfish attempts at individual autonomy.

Mighty God and Lord,

You will punish arrogance in my heart. You must rule this heart. And so I ask that You keep me aware of my own arrogant drifts. May Your Spirit and Your Word keep me humble, I pray!

Amen

declaring the gospel

Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you.

Titus 2:15

Paul encourages the young pastor Titus to be bold in speaking and teaching the Word of God in a difficult cultural climate. What are the “these things” Titus was to declare? In the preceding context (Titus 2:11-14), we see “these things” are the gospel… specifically some important elements of the gospel:

• Grace. The grace of God has appeared in Jesus.
• Salvation. It is offered to all people.
• Holiness. The gospel trains us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions.
• Character. We live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives right now, not just in eternity.
• Hope. We obey, live holy, and wait for Christ’s return. It is a “blessed hope” and a great motivation in and of itself.
• Future. Jesus WILL return as Great God and Savior.
• Redemption and Purification. We are now a people who are Jesus’ own possession.
• Zealous. We are passionate to do good as Jesus does.

How was Titus to declare these elements of a well-rounded gospel?

• Exhortation. This is the encouragement that comes through the preaching and teaching of scripture. It moves beyond knowledge to practical application and life choices made with God’s wisdom.
• Rebuke. And when someone is resistant to God’s Word in Christ’s church we have to tell them they are wrong and urge them to repent, relying on the truth of scripture and the convicting work of the Holy Spirit.
• Authority. If we do not dilute God’s Word with personal opinion (easier said than done), we have the absolute authority of God’s voice leading us. Don’t add to it. Don’t take away from it. Let God’s authoritative and sufficient Word speak!
• Unbending. Don’t let those opinions that reject God defeat you as His messenger. Be confident that God is saving through the gospel of Jesus Christ and that the Holy Spirit is indeed working, even in hearts that show you no outward acceptance of the gospel.

better is a little

Better is a little with the fear of the LORD

than great treasure and trouble with it.

Proverbs 15:16

Lord,

You take care of me

provide all my need

keep my soul

make me whole

I fix my eyes

on what You provide

not on the world’s stuff

that would never be enough

just a little from You

will see me through

in what You provide

my soul will thrive

the hope that I have

comes from Your hand

in gracious measure

You will be my treasure

my God I will fear

my life You will steer

shelter, clothes, and food

will all be for my good

from worldly riches I turn away

to trust in You, Lord, today

worldly wealthy will rust

it’s You I will trust

trouble comes, You are there

providing mercy and care

it isn’t about material greed

when You take care of all I need

economies fail and rearrange

but You will never change

so a little with fear of the Lord

brings abundant life in Your Word

Amen

what we devise

Do they not go astray who devise evil?

Those who devise good meet steadfast love and faithfulness.

Proverbs 14:22

The word “devise” generally means to plan, invent, or give careful thought to something. And with that clear understanding that careful attention and intention mark our lives (even the most carefree or lackadaisical of lifestyles intentionally chooses whimsy) we can understand what is being communicated in this proverb.

There are people, sometimes even our own selves when we are consumed in a sinful pattern, who devise what is wrong routinely. This is evil. It is a default setting on every human heart. And when this is multiplied by culture, selfishness magnified exponentially, and by Satan’s own devious planning, it is no wonder that evil is regularly observed in the world. But the end of these kinds of plans leads astray. They don’t get anywhere on track. Sin always misses the mark. And those who give careful thought to sinful plans may find short-term fulfillment at the price of eternal destruction. This is the path our world is on. It has been ever since Adam and Even gave careful thought to directly disobeying their Creator’s command.

There is an encouragement though to give careful thought to what is good. And the source of ALL goodness is God. It would follow that His Word can thus show us what is good and right. And the outcome explained in this proverb is quite appealing. Those who give their attention to what God reveals as good will find grace (steadfast love) and a faithful God supplying what is needed in His good and perfect way.

So, we can meet a good end or a bad end. What will we choose to set our minds upon? Careful thought to the gospel, to good news that Jesus saves us from sin and changes us so that we are empowered to reject evil and embrace God’s holy goodness and truth, will be rewarded. Christians must be committed to devising what is good. It starts with what our hearts choose to plan. Plan to carefully follow Jesus and His Word!