We live exaggerated lives. If you live in a wealthy western nation, the chances are great that you live beyond your means. That's one way we live exaggerated lives.
Many of us have homes much larger than we need, which are filled with more things than we can manage. So, we fill up our garages with stuff, then rent storage units for everything else.
We have more knowledge at our fingertips than we can learn in a lifetime. That's not an exaggeration! But how much does all this benefit us? Are we wiser than previous generations? Are we happy and content?
It doesn't appear we are wiser, happier or vaguely content, though we consume vast amounts of... just about everything.
Scripture
Wise children take their parents’ advice, but whoever makes fun of wisdom won’t listen to correction. Those who are careful about what they say protect their lives, but whoever speaks without thinking will be ruined. [vss 1, 3]
Some people pretend to be rich but really have nothing. Others pretend to be poor but really are wealthy. The rich may have to pay a ransom for their lives, but the poor will face no such danger. [vss 7-8]
Pride only leads to arguments, but those who take advice are wise. Money that comes easily disappears quickly, but money that is gathered little by little will grow. It is sad not to get what you hoped for. But wishes that come true are like eating fruit from the tree of life. [vss 10-12]
The teaching of a wise person gives life. It is like a fountain that can save people from death. People with good understanding will be well liked, but the lives of those who are not trustworthy are hard. Every wise person acts with good sense, but fools show how foolish they are. Spend time with the wise and you will become wise, but the friends of fools will suffer. [vss 14-16, 20]
(Proverbs 13:1, 3, 7-8, 10-12, 14-16, 20 NCV) [Context– Proverbs 13]
Key phrase
Spend time with the wise and you will become wise
Digging Deeper...
- What are the benefits of listening to sound advice and being careful with our words?
- What are the perils and problems of unchecked pride and pretending to be more than we are?
- What are the challenges of having wealth, and the benefits of good stewardship?
- What are the benefits of being wise, gaining wisdom, and living wisely?
Reflection...
Increased wealth and wisdom carries with it greater responsibilities. Life gets more complicated when we have more, of anything. I hear people marvel at the happiness seen in the faces of those we call the working-poor in other countries.
How can they be happy with so little? Because their lives, their expectations, are more simple. Hard, yes. But simple and less distracted in many ways.
Many of us in the west have a lifestyle only millionaires knew decades ago. We don't want to wait or be denied what we want. But it costs us more than we can afford. It costs us in ways that can't be quantified.
Make it personal...
How is your life better or different from your parents? If better, how do you measure this?
Is it difficult for you to wait to buy the latest gadget or style of clothing? Do you often find yourself looking for more?
When have you found yourself most content? When have you experienced deep peace or joy?
Are things or people most important to you? If people, how is this seen in your life?