Our Gift and Our Responsibility

Some Old Testament proverbs are read quickly, cause a chuckle, and are then gone. Like the one proverb that says, “He who blesses his friend with a loud voice early in the morning, it will be reckoned a curse to him.” Anyone who doesn't wake up in a cheery mood will appreciate that one.

But there are otherwise sayings that make us stop and think. Our response is more difficult. Like this one, “Listen, my son, and be wise and direct your heart in the way. Do not be with heavy drinkers of wine, or with gluttonous eaters of meat. For the heavy drinker and the glutton will come to poverty and drowsiness will clothe a man of rags.”

We aren't laughing now. We're thinking, “What will I do, wisdom or indulgence?” It's a gift to be able to choose, but it's a huge responsibility. Animals act. Humans choose. God reigns and he wants us to be wise.