Were you aware that there is already much treasure and ample resources in your home? Proverbs 15:6 (NABRE) says: “In the house of the just there are ample resources, but the harvest of the wicked is in peril.” In the (RSV ), it is described this way: “In the house of the righteous there is much treasure, but trouble befalls the income of the wicked.” The world only sees treasure as gold, silver, power and fame, yet we constantly see how trouble follows their wealth. However, there are so many other “riches” that they do not understand. The house of the righteous have the riches of His grace, the riches of His love, the riches of His kind and tender mercies, the riches of His Presence, the riches of His wisdom, the riches of His provision, the riches of the inheritance in the saints, the riches of adoption into His family, the riches of His word, the riches of the peace that passes understanding, the riches of the joy of the Lord which is our strength, the riches that belong to princes and princesses since we are children of the King. This is just a quick list. There is so much more treasure and ample resources in the house of the righteous. The world’s riches cannot compare to the unfathomable riches of Christ, which is eternal and unlimited!
Tell me again, who are you walking with?
A Spanish proverb says: Tell me who you walk with, and I’ll tell you who you are. That is actually very close to what the scriptures say. Proverbs 13:20 (ERV) says: “Be friends with those who are wise, and you will become wise. Choose fools to be your friends, and you will have trouble.” We do not have the power to choose our biological family, but we have the power to chose our friends. I remember when I first became a pastor, I realized that I needed to learn a lot more than just theory. So I began to gather with established pastors and bishops. I went to where they were. I even went to closed meetings without permission, but since I was really hungry to spend time with wise, experienced pastors, I took the chance of being rejected and thrown out. To my surprise, they allowed me to be part of their gatherings. I have to tell you that it was one of the best decisions that I ever made. I learned so much in those years, just by spending time with wise men and women. Are you purposely seeking out “wise” friends? Do your friend make you wiser, or are you the smartest one in the room? If you are the smartest one in the room, you need to change that. You can’t learn anything if you don’t challenge yourself by purposely gathering with those that are already living and serving successfully in the place where you desire to be one day be. Make an assessment today of your “friends and associates,” and if you are in the company of fools, run out of there and get new friends and associates. Remember, hanging out with fools will get you in trouble, but spending time with those who are wise, will cause you to become wise yourself.
Proverbs 13:20 (ERV) says: Be friends with those who are wise, and you will become wise. Choose fools to be your friends, and you will have trouble.
