Our Favorite Proverbs: Proverbs 9:10

by David Chadwick

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.”

Proverbs 9:10

As we have previously discussed during this devotional series, knowledge and wisdom are both very important themes in the book of Proverbs.

Knowledge searches out the depth of information found through experiences, and wisdom is knowing how to, with sound judgment, apply what has been learned. Knowledge comes as you quest after truth and righteousness, and wisdom lives out what you know through good choices.

Do you know the meaning of the word "sophomore"? It’s used to describe a person in their second year of high school or university, this word means “wise fool.” Often sophomores are just comfortable enough that they think they know the ropes but are still making unwise, even stupid, choices. They have a lot of knowledge but lack wisdom.

Often it takes making unwise choices to learn how to make wise ones. That's why we should always have older mentors in our lives. They often provide wisdom to help us learn things without having to make big mistakes. My oldest granddaughter once asked me how I got so wise. I’m not sure I am, but I chuckled when she asked and said to her, “By living a long time!”

So what sets apart carnal knowledge and wisdom from biblical knowledge and wisdom? Fear of the Lord and a connection to the Holy One!

Proverbs 9:10 says that wisdom begins with fear of the Lord. And knowledge, which leads to insight, must be directly connected to the Holy One, Yahweh, the one true God.

Both wisdom and knowledge, functioning together, derived from a profound love and adoration for the Lord, will allow a person to seek him fervently and to live life as God intended.

Fear the Lord. Find wisdom. Seek knowledge. Gain insight from the Holy One.

And your life should go a whole lot better!

Our Favorite Proverbs: Proverbs 3:9-10

by David Chadwick

“Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the first fruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.”

Proverbs 3:9-10

Marilynn and I are continuing to go through some of our favorite biblical proverbs. The book of Proverbs is full of wisdom and insight for how to live a godly life. In a world where there are so many opinions and so little wisdom, we think it is more important than ever to return to God’s Word to see what he says.

Today we are looking at Proverbs 3:9-10. Did you know that wealth and money are very frequently discussed throughout the Old and New Testaments? God cares so much about seeing his people develop hearts of generosity. The message in today’s verse is to always give God our first fruits. He should get our best gifts, not the leftovers. If we do, our “barns” will be overflowing! In other words, we will have more than we need.

Have you ever heard the old illustration of eating a banana when it comes to biblical financial stewardship? So many followers of Jesus treat generosity like eating a banana. The first bite is our mortgage, the next bite is our car payment, then our clothes, then our enjoyment and entertainment. After filling all of our fleshly desires, we give God the banana peel!

But in the kingdom of heaven, God gets the first bite. He gets the first of everything we own. He gets the best! Malachi 3:8-15 gives a profound description of the beautiful reality of living a life surrendered to generosity. God says to test him with our tithe, our first fruit of giving, 10%, and that if we trust him with it, he will “pour down blessing until there is no more need.”

The tithe, the first 10%, represents our first and best gift to God. Biblically, this is the gift that will open the windows of heaven for us. The tithe is the only place in the Bible where God says to test him! He’s saying, “Just try it and see if my promises are true!”

Marilynn and I have so many miraculous stories of practicing the tithe over the years. I would encourage you to practice this biblical command. Just try it for one year. See if God doesn't meet your every need as he promised! And as you practice, remember his promise is to meet your needs. Not your greed!

Over time, I believe you, too, will have so many stories you can share with your kids and grandkids in the years to come to create generational generosity for your future legacy.

Our Favorite Proverbs: Wine Not? Proverbs 20:1

by Marilynn Chadwick

“Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise.”

Proverbs 20:1

A good friend once noticed I didn’t order wine at a meal. She asked me whether I ever drank alcohol. Interesting question for a pastor’s wife and one I’ve been asked before. Back in the seventies I attended a large Southern university. I was active in sorority and fraternity life. I attended my share of parties and had occasions to drink. In those days, I didn't even believe in God. So, I obviously didn't look to him for guidance about behaviors like drinking.

But near the end of college, I had a radical conversion to Christ while reading Mere Christianity, by C.S. Lewis, the famous Oxford scholar and former atheist himself. Everything changed. Soon after, I met and married my husband, David.

We will soon celebrate 48 years of marriage. Over the years in ministry together, we have both come to the conclusion that it’s better that we do not drink in public, so as not to put a stumbling block in front of someone who may struggle with alcohol.

It’s not that moderate drinking is immoral. Or even wrong. But here’s the thing: I want to be alert to hear God’s voice. I know this might sound silly. But I want to remain mindful of those little nudges to pray for someone. Aware of the Holy Spirit's guidance, or conviction, or instruction. I especially want to hear his whisper—that still small voice that’s so easy to miss.

I find even one glass of wine can dull my “spiritual hearing." Moreover, the Bible tells me that as a believer in Jesus, I have an enemy. He continually prowls around looking for someone to devour. As long as I live on earth, I’m at war. It was George Washington who once said, “To be prepared for war is one of the most effective means of preserving peace.”

One of the best ways to prepare for our spiritual war is to remain alert to the wiles of the enemy. The Bible says it this way: "Be sober [well balanced and self-disciplined], be alert and cautious at all times. That enemy of yours, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion [fiercely hungry], seeking someone to devour" (1 Peter 5:8 AMP).

I want to win my spiritual battles. To hear what the Lord wants to reveal. In short, I want to stay fully awake. For me, I’ve come to believe it’s not wise to use wine as my method to deal with worry, stress, or anxiety. For those, I think I'll choose to be "filled with the Holy Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18).