Daily Devotional
               Betty Miller shares her daily devotionals which are based on the book of Proverbs in the Bible.   

  The Wisdom of God

Verses for the Day:

Proverbs 12:8-9(KJV): 
8 A man shall be commended according to his wisdom: but he that is of a perverse heart shall be despised.
9 He that is despised, and hath a servant, is better than he that honoureth himself, and lacketh bread.

Thoughts for the Day:

The book of Proverbs makes continually makes comparisons between the righteous wise, and the foolish wicked. Verse 8 states that the wise man will be commended according to his wisdom, while those who practice perverse and wicked deeds will be despised. Society at large, will acknowledge and praise the good deeds of men, as well as condemn their evil deeds. Jesus Himself, was a man known as one who went about doing good deeds. As God's children, we should also be known for our good deeds.

Acts 10:38: "How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him."

Verse 9 tells us that a man who works for his own support may not be highly esteemed in the world; however, he is better than the man who assumes honor for himself, yet, he does not even have bread to eat. A man like that is so proud he will not ask for help when he needs it. We all, at times, need the help of others.  Even the wealthiest man must depend on others to help him. God made men to need one another.  Men need women, women need men, children need their parents.   We were all born as helpless babies into this world and needed someone to care for us. Older people need the younger ones to help and care for them as they age. God created us, first of all, to need Him and then, to need each other.

At times, we will be the giver and at other times, the receiver. For many people, it is easier to give, than to receive. We must not be too proud to receive when we have a need. Yet, we must not be selfish and refuse to help the weak, where there is a need.  Both are needed. Saint Paul, in the New Testament ministered to others, yet he himself, needed the help of others. Here is the record:  In the following verse in Acts, we see Paul taking care of himself and others, while the verse in Philippians records a brother in Christ ministering to Paul.

Acts 20:34: "Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me. I have showed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive."

Philippians 2:25: "Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants."

We should all work and labor, so that we can take care of our own needs, as well as the needs of our families. However, we must not stop there, as we should reach out and help others too.  Even before we help others, we must put the work of the Lord first, by giving our tithes and offerings to the work of God. Giving to the work of God gets the good news of the gospel out, so that men's hearts might be changed. When hearts are changed, problems are resolved permanently, instead of a temporary solution applied to the problem. We can feed the poor, but they will always remain poor, unless they change their ways. When they are "born again," God will lead them out of their bondage and poverty.

2 Corinthians 9:6-11:
6 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.
7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:
9 (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever.
10 Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;)
11 Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.

Prayer for the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you so much for all the good things You have done for me!  Help me always to have a thankful and grateful heart, even when I do not see an immediate answer to my prayers.  I know You will never leave me nor forsake me. Lord, give me a servant's heart so that I might always be willing to serve others.  Lord, also help me to be humble enough to ask for help when I need it.  Lord, may all of Your children have generous and giving hearts so that we might change the world for the better.  Thank you for Your daily provision and use me to provide for others.  Even if I do not have money to give to all that I would like to give to, I know that I can always give my prayers for them.  I can always speak an encouraging word to those around me.  Help me to give of the things that I do possess.  I ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.