Today’s Devotion
Topic: Discretionary Advice From A Wise King
(Self Assessment 134)
Background:
In today’s world, it’s gradually becoming ‘normal’ to have people say whatever they like, do whatever pleases them, and act as though they owe no one. A wise king once took time to pen down a few words that should guide many generations to come on how to show discretion in every way possible. Gather the family and let’s eat our fill of God’s Word this morning for the guidance of our souls.
Text: Proverbs 11: 22- 25, 27- 31
22 Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout is a beautiful woman who shows no discretion. 23 The desire of the righteous ends only in good, but the hope of the wicked only in wrath.
24 One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. 25 A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. 27 Whoever seeks good finds favor, but evil comes to one who searches for it.
28 Those who trust in their riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf. 29 Whoever brings ruin on their family will inherit only wind, and the fool will be servant to the wise.
30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and the one who is wise saves lives. 31 If the righteous receive their due on earth, how much more the ungodly and the sinner! Amen
Questions
i. In your opinion, what does it mean to say someone is discrete?
ii. Why does the king compare a beautiful woman who lacks discretion to a gold ring in a pig’s snout? Why does he not use any other animal apart from the pig? How is a woman’s beauty related to her discretion?
iii. Read vs 23 again. What are some of the good things that can come to people as a result of they being righteous?
iv. From vs 24 to 27, the king suggests that it is when we give freely that we gain even more and get refreshed. How practical is this? Does it always work that way?
v. What does it mean to say that those who trust in their riches will fall but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf, what is it that makes the righteous thrive? (vs 28)
vi. What does the king mean by saying that whoever brings ruin on his or her family will inherit the wind? In what ways do people bring ruin on their families and how does the fool end up being a servant to the wise?
vii. How do you understand the statement in vs 30 & 31? What lesson does it hold for those of us who choose to live anyhow?
viii. What have you learnt from today’s Bible study?
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