Today’s scripture: Proverbs 17:22-28 (NRSV) (The Message) (KJV) What might God be saying to me?
My thoughts (Ben Lamb):
For some reason, many of today’s verses made me think, “Those are qualities of the perfect friend!”
People who bring cheerfulness are enjoyable to have around. People who constantly stress gloom and doom aren’t fun to have around.
I’m comfortable sharing confidential information with people who are bribe-proof. I tend to think they’re subsequently likely to do what is right in all situations.
It’s great to be surrounded by people who use their brains for long-term edification instead of short-term gratification.
It’s usually not a great deal of fun to hang around people whose family is genuinely saddened by them for legitimate reasons.
I want to be surrounded by people who believe in upholding the values of integrity and protecting the innocent.
Being a motor-mouth certainly proves what’s spewing forth from a person’s lips; but not necessarily the whole of what’s stored in the person’s brain. I particularly like one of Abraham Lincoln’s quotes that relates to the message of this verse: “I am rather inclined to silence, and whether that be wise or not, it is at least more unusual nowadays to find a man who can hold his tongue than to find one who cannot.” (The Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln edited by Roy P. Basler, Volume IV, “Remarks at the Monogahela House” (February 14, 1861), p. 209.)
Thought for today: Societal ideas for etiquette come and go. However, the Bible is chock full of ideas for humans in general which are worth perpetuating.
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the suggestions on the How to Pray page.