So if haven’t gotten in on any of the Proverb posts that I have created, I highly recommend that you check them out.  I’ll post the link below.

Here lately at work, it seems as though things aren’t going so well for me. However, for the past few days or so, work has seemed to be a lot different. Why? I show up to work and I’m ready to work…not for my employer, but for God. That is something that we as Followers of Christ cannot drift from, no matter what we do, do it all for the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31).

So reading through chapter thirteen of Proverbs, this is what stuck out to me, how Followers of Christ should work. So the few thoughts that really stick out in this chapter is again, Solomon talking about 1) being wise (this is what the entire book of Proverbs is wrapped around), also about 2) wealth (talking about differences between the rich and the poor), and finally 3) looking at what others have to say, talking about criticism and taking advice.

It seems like in every chapter of Proverbs, that the topic can be a little scattered among each verse. What I mean by that, is that it seems like you can’t clearly identify what the author is getting at in that particular chapter. But if you truly read into each verse you can tie it together with each verse.

So let’s briefly touch on the three things that stuck out to me.

1) Being wise – So the one thing that I sometimes look past and forget, is that God has put people in my life not only for me to witness to and share His love, but also for me to listen to them. Now verse 20 clearly tells us to watch who we associate with, so no, we shouldn’t take advice from just anyone. “Walk with wise people and become wise, walk with fools and get in trouble.”

2) Wealth – Verse 11 tells us that wealth doesn’t come quickly, but it comes from actual hard work. That is the kind of wealth that will last. This goes back to working for the Lord, obviously we work to have an income so we can sustain our life, but if we are only working for that reason and not for the Lord, I believe that that kind of wealth will not last.

3) Criticism and Advice – Now this idea was talked about most in the entire chapter. Proverbs 13:14, 18 The instruction of the wise is like a life-giving fountain; those who accept it avoid the snares of death. If you ignore criticism, you will end in poverty and disgrace; if you accept correction, you will be honored.

Followers of Christ…always work unto the Lord no matter what. It will completely change your mind set doing whatever it is you are doing.

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Continuation on Chapter Thirteen… Seeking and Listening

When we read Proverbs, what we find are guidelines.  What is being laid out are things that we can do and what the outcome is going to be.  Again, this book is filled with knowledge and wisdom, and as children of God, this should be something that we seek each and every day.  What I am going to bring out from this chapter are what I feel as some of the highlights.  I recommend that you go back and read the entire chapter, but what I feel may have the biggest impact on your life is what we are going to go over.

Verse 3:  Those who control their tongue will have a long life; opening your mouth can ruin everything.

Verse 4:  Lazy people want much but get little, but those who work hard will prosper.

Verse 7:  Some who are poor pretend to be rich; others who are rich pretend to be poor.

Verse 9:  The life of the godly is full of light and joy, but the light of the wicked will be snuffed out.

Verse 10:  Pride leads to conflict; those who take advice are wise.

Verse 13:  People who despise advice are asking for trouble; those who respect a command will succeed.

Verse 16:  Wise people think before they act; fools don’t – and even brag about their foolishness.

Verse 18:  If you ignore criticism you will end in poverty and disgrace; if you accept correction, you will be honored.

Verse 20:  Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble.

The nine verses above are things that some people, myself included, may look over and not pay attention to.  It may be things that the world approves of or the direction the world sends us.