Author: crcolburn

The heart of the righteous studieth to answer:
but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.

Proverbs 15:28

When we can “just Google it,” we become accustomed to a life of quick and easy answers.

I don’t think that this is a good development for believers because God uses the tools of time and work to mature us more completely into his image. In James 1 we are called to let patience have its full and complete work that we might be completely mature (Christ-like!). That takes time.

Paul tells Timothy to study to show himself approved into God and unashamed before his church. Study takes time. It requires careful thought. It sometimes means that we have to cycle through a host of wrong answers until we come the right one.

It also means that we sometimes aren’t able to supply people the answers they want on their schedule, which is usually “now.” I think we find that those that are unwilling to wait for the right answer probably aren’t looking for the right answer anyway.

It’s better to wait to answer until you have thought/prayed/studied an issue out then just share the first page of Google results. Don’t feel rushed by the “demand” to answer a complex or complicated issue or keep pace with everybody else as they rapid-fire their answers.

-C.R.

He that is despised, and hath a servant, is better than he that honoureth himself, and lacketh bread.

Proverbs 12:9

Some of the proverbs are just plain practical.

One of the complaints we have all heard from employers who have positions to fill is how “nobody wants to work.” There is a sense of entitlement detectable when somebody without a steady job won’t take one because it “only pays” a certain wage.

The Bible not only reveals Christ to all but a way of living for the regenerate. That means working hard. The wisest man to live wrote under inspiration of the Holy Ghost: “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.” (Eccl. 9:10)

Think the progression through with me about Despised Joe, we’ll call him DJ for lacerated typing finger’s sake. DJ gets a job. DJ works that job with all of his might. He listens and follows instruction. He takes advantage of the training that is made available. He gets a promotion followed with more responsibilities, and climbs slowly but surely up the ladder. Years pile up and become decades. DJ’s persistence and hard work land him a job of great influence for the company… but in the larger picture… for Christ. His faith and progressively sanctified life bear witness to that. He is kind with his words, generous with his knowledge, and true to Christ’s character.

Despised Joe is an all around great guy unless you are Self-Righteous Dave, who at 26 and having spent 5 semesters in 2 colleges and worked at least 7 different jobs has way more worldly wisdom and better ideas than Despised Joe.

Despised Joe is better than Virtuous Dave.

-C.R.

… he that watereth shall be watered also himself

Proverbs 11:25

God is himself generous in word and deed. He gives us richly all things to enjoy (1 Tim. 1:17), gives perfect gifts (James 1:17), and his rich blessings come without sorrowful surprises, (Prov. 10:22).

Christ is the perfect image of God in flesh (Col. 2:9) and was generous with his time, teaching, and healing power. We Christ-followers have no other aim or mark than to be like our Lord and Saviour, (Matt. 10:25). The promise of God to a generous person is that his needs will be met, he will be watered!

Be generous today. Be generous with all of the being God gave you, for love of him and neighbor.

-C.R.