“The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower becomes the lender’s slave.”  Proverbs 22:7

The practical wisdom found in Proverbs, if diligently followed, can save us from pain and anguish.  This is why I have tried to regularly incorporate the reading of Proverbs into my morning quiet times for decades.

A Christian’s faith should not only affect the spiritual aspect of their being, but also the practical side of their daily lives.  We should not be accused of “being so heavenly minded that we are no earthly good.”

Money is a major part of this practical dimension of a person’s life.  As this Proverb teaches, money is something that we should be the master of and never the master to.

One sign that you are a slave to money is debt; how much debt you owe determines the degree of this voluntary servitude.  The greater the debt, the tighter the chains that hold you in bondage.

Romans 13: 8 (a) says “owe nothing to anyone except to love one another…” (NASB).  This verse, coupled with Proverbs 22:7, have been the greatest influences in guiding and shaping my financial life.  Effectively, they sum up my philosophy on how I decide to spend–or not spend–my money.

If at all possible, I try to avoid debt in every form, from credit card debt to mortgages.  Though at one time in my life I used credit (debt) to purchase a home and a new truck, I soon sold the former and paid off the latter.  I have been debt free for years.

I abhor paying bank’s interest and fees.  I pay off my credit card bills in full every month, only carrying a balance on those that do not charge me interest until the promotional period ends.  These are paid in full before the promotion ends.

Thankfully, I have no mortgage debt or car payments, discipling myself to live beneath my means.  This translates into freedom which I value far above slavery.  I don’t live in a fancy house, but at least I can call this humble abode my own.

We often speak of the power of God’s Word, of its supernatural ability to transform our lives.  As I mentioned above, we often fail to understand that this transformation should not only reach into the spiritual, but also the practical aspects of our lives.

The power of Jesus is able to deliver us not only from our bondage to sin (lust, greed, hatred, lying, etc.)–the spiritual aspect of our salvation–but also from the practical aspect of the poor choices we make in life, such as debt.

This is why reading and meditating on Proverbs can transform the practical, every day, nuts and bolts aspect of our lives.  I encourage you to mine its rich ore on a regular basis.

“He who guards his mouth and his tongue, guards his soul from trouble.”  Proverbs 21:23

I’ve added a new page, titled “Weekly Wisdom,” where I hope to bring you various posts throughout the week highlighting “Pearls of Wisdom” from the timeless book of Proverbs.

If a teenager or young adult would like advice on how they can improve their lives, a systematic, daily reading in Proverbs ranks at the top of the “to do” list.

I have found Proverbs a “must read” for all of us, young or old, who need direction and guidance in life.  I look back on my immersion in the wisdom of Proverbs as one of the reasons I am even half sane today.

People have problems with their tongues and the things that come out of their mouths.  I have struggled with an unruly and undisciplined tongue my entire life, and this small member of my body has started many a raging forest fire.

Solomon, the writer of most of Proverbs, spoke much on the problems of the tongue.  In today’s verse, we learn that guarding the words that come out of our mouths will save us from a crushing weight of grief and pain.

But it was not only Solomon who warned against the destructive power of the tongue; the New Testament writers also warn us of the explosive and damaging nature of an undisciplined mouth.  James wrote the following:

“So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell.” (James 3:5-6)

James gives some incredible insight into the destructive power of the tongue.  Most fail to realize that what comes out of our mouths so often determines the path of our lives.

I will return to this theme, but for now, let’s start our day with the understanding of the power of the tongue to literally shape the path of our existense.  Ask God for wisdom on how you can properly use the tongue for good.

I have a lifelong fascination with the difference between a life lived wisely and one lived foolishly.

Am I a wise man or a foolish one?  Socrates said  the “unexamined life is not worth living.”  To go through life and not thoroughly examine this question would be tragic.

Jesus talked about the wise and foolish man:

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.  The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.  But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.  The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.” Matthew 7:24-27 (NIV)

Jesus was clear on whom He considers wise or foolish.  The wise hear His words and obeys them; the foolish hear but fail to obey.   The difference cannot be overstated.

At one time in America, most children attended Sunday school.  They at least heard the words of Jesus; whether or not they obeyed them was a different story.  Contrast this with post-Christian America where few young people attend church at all, don’t go to Sunday school, so never have a chance to even hear the words of Jesus…much less obey them.

Is it any wonder, then, that we find ourselves surrounded by so many foolish people?

I plan on often returning to this theme in my blogs.  Being a wise man has been a major goal throughout my life, but I’m not sure I have done so well in this critical area.

How about you?