Discipline displays love

Proverbs 13:24 “He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him.” A loving parent, a loving friend, a loving mentor will always lovingly teach, direct or train the person being led.  Without discipline success will not happen.  Control over one’s life is essential for order and is certainly necessary for leading a God pleasing life.  Discipline is key to morality, contentedness and happiness.   Have a great weekend.

Who are your friends?

Proverbs 13:20 “He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.” I am sure you have heard the expression–you are what you eat.  How about the thought—you are who you hang out with?  It is impossible to become wise if you hang with those with foolish or detrimental thinking.  Your mental, physical and spiritual health will take a giant hit.  Hang out with the mentally, physically and spiritually wise and your life will take giant steps of gaining wisdom.

Practical financial advise

Proverbs 13:11 “Dishonest money dwindles away, but he who gathers money little by little makes it grow” Averages can be meaningless, but they can also be interesting.  Well over half of American families have no savings and live from paycheck to paycheck.  God never says what % of your income you should save, but He does say to save and you will develop a financial safety net.  Common advise suggests having 6 months to a year of expenses saved.  That safety net will not happen instantly, but little by little it certainly will.  Over 2300 Bible passages talk about money and 11 0f Jesus’ 39 parables refer to finances while teaching other important lessons.

Pride vs. wisdom

Proverbs 13:10 Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is found in those who take advise.” A wise person always carefully listens and then comes to a conclusion as to the worthiness of the words spoken.  A wise person will never stubbornly defend a position and take a bullying attitude only defending a prideful mentality.  Wisdom listens and evaluates.

Use your talents

Proverbs 13:4 “The sluggard craves and gets nothing, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.” Have you ever heard others say—I want to be like you, I want to have what you have, you are so lucky, or any other complimentary yet useless expressions of desire?  God has blessed each of us with talent to accomplish a successful and meaningful life.  You and I have to use our talents, pray for God’s help to give us an attitude of desire and persistence and then work hard with an mentality of accomplished success.  Expectations of free handouts never enters one’s mind.