8 More Ways To Be Wise

Islington Baptist Church March 19, 2006

Proverbs 21-25 Genesis 41

8 more ways to be wise

This morning as we carry on our study in the Proverbs I would like to share with you an example of utter foolishness. This comes from this weeks Tuesday edition of the National Post.

Every year at University of Toronto’s convocation ceremony this prayer is read “Eternal God, from whom alone comes wisdom and understanding, we pray that you will bless and preserve our Universities, Colleges and Schools. In particular, we pray that you will look with favour upon this university and all its sons and daughters. Let knowledge be increased among us and all good learning flourish and abound. Bless all who teach and all who learn, and grant that we may always look to you, the source of light and ground of truth, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.”

Recently the Toronto Secular Alliance, a student group that denies the existence of God complained to the university, demanding that this prayer be stricken from future convocation ceremonies. The Convocation Review Committee is weighing their demands and will soon make a decision.

What is foolish about this?

Any time you decide to kick God out of something, you are making a big mistake….

Last week we did an overview of Proverbs 20-25 and considered 9 ways to be wise…

1. Don’t “fall in love” with alcohol

2. Stop blaming God when things go wrong

3. Jesus is the best and most faithful friend you’ll ever have.

4. Work hard at whatever you do

5. It’s better to have peaceful relationships and no money than lots of money and trouble

6. If you want your friendships to last, use your tongue wisely

7. Pride comes before a fall

8. Double check to make sure your motives are right

9. Put God in everything you do.

This week: 8 more ways to be wise

1. Be aware that if you are married and argumentative that you are making your spouse miserable

“Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.” Proverbs 21:9

Best not to see this verse as only referring to the wife. The verse has something to say to either a husband or a wife.

The reference is probably to the little guest room that would be built on the roof. It would be cramped and lonely--but peaceful in avoiding strife.

Point: Argumentative, crabby, grumpy, complainers are no fun to be around. If you are married your goal in life is not to give your spouse a hard time, nor is it to “nit pick” and question everything they do.

Point: If you are not married and looking to be, ask yourself this question: Am I overly opinionated? Do I love to argue? Am I super picky? If you think the answer is yes, then…..

See Ephesians 5:21-33 on how husbands and wives to relate.

2. Save for a “rainy day”

“In the house of the wise are stores of choice food and oils, but a foolish man devours all he has.” Proverbs 21:20

Who knows the account of Joseph and the 7 years of plenty and the 7 years of famine? (see Genesis 41) If not for Joseph all the extra crops would have been left to rot in the fields. Instead store houses were built and the food was saved and so were the people.

As it pertains to budgeting and saving we always need to start with God. When you get some money- whether it be a pension check, ODSP, an inheritance, social assistance, a gift, or your paycheck,

1. The first thing you need to do, according to the Scriptures (Malachi 3:8-12, Numbers 18:21-24), is to give 10% towards the work of the Kingdom of God.

2. After this you need to put the money towards the essentials of life: food, shelter, clothing.

3. After you put aside the money you need towards the essentials of life, you need to heed the counsel of Proverbs 21:20 and put some money aside for emergencies and possible hard times.

4. After doing all this now you are free, with whatever money is left to buy whatever luxuries you want—cell phones, cable T.V, movies, music, etc.

3. Stay out of debt.

As it says in Proverbs 22:26-27 “Do not be a man who strikes hands in pledge or puts up security for debts; if you lack the means to pay, your very bed will be snatched from under you.”

MEANING: If you go into debt and can’t pay, expect debt collectors to show up and take whatever they can.

a. We need to have a “pay as you go” mentality. We need to save for the things we want.

b. There are very few legitimate reasons for going into debt. i.e house mortgages, emergencies