WAY OF THE WISE

Once, I received a photo of "BI Checking" which showed a list of someone's unpaid debts. The amount was quite large, worth more than two hundred million Indonesian Rupiah! I couldn't help but wonder how that person ended up with such a huge debt. As I scrutinized the numbers that almost filled up a whole page, I suspected that extravagant living was likely the cause.

The writer of Proverbs today discusses the behavior of wise people. Wealth and oil are symbols of blessings and sufficient provisions, indicating good management. A wise person will have both because their life is well-organized. However, a foolish person will fall into wastefulness, which can lead to shortages, debts, and being unprepared for tough times. A fool is someone who refuses to live according to God's wisdom even though they know the right way of living. Due to their lack of wisdom, they cannot control themselves and quickly spend their possessions without much thought.

As believers, we are taught not to live relying on material possessions or wealth - things that can disappear or run out in an instant. However, it doesn't mean we should neglect the importance of living wisely and managing the blessings or provisions that God has given us with wisdom. The more skillful we are in managing the blessings that God provides, the more we can have sufficient provisions and be ready to face tough times. --GHJ/www.renunganharian.net