Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 616 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

I am Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Wisdom and Right-Living - Proverbs 11

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. Today is Day 616 of our trek, and it is Wisdom Wednesday. Every Wednesday along life’s trails we dig for the nuggets of wisdom that are found within the book of Proverbs. Today we will explore Proverbs 11 from The Voice Translation which will give us a fresh perspective on this book of timeless wisdom.

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. This past week has been a bit less hectic, and I have been able to get caught up on some of the workloads which have been lagging behind. We are so blessed to be able to have a flexible work schedule that permits us to focus on our children and grandchildren’s needs during this season of life.

Our granddaughter Hazel is at Nationwide Children’s Hospital for two days again this week as she continues this phase of her treatments. Her markers for leukemia do fluctuate some on a weekly basis, but according to the physician staff, her overall progress is very positive. It is difficult for her parents and us as grandparents to see her go through the effects of the strong chemo regimen that she is currently on. Some of the chemo is so potent that no one is allowed to handle it with bare hands, and yet it must be ingested daily by Hazel. We all realize that her situation requires this to eradicate leukemia from her body, but that does not make it any easier to deal with emotionally.

We are grateful to God and to everyone who has prayed or helped out in any other manner. If you would like to keep up with the news about Hazel and read the blog that her father Nat is writing about Hazel’s progress, you can access it at basilforhazel.org. We would appreciate your continued prayers for Hazel and her tribe.

As we transition to our trek for today, we will see that there is a direct link between wisdom and right-living. Those who live according to God’s precepts found in His Word are living correctly and are wise for doing so. The opposite is also true. As we explore Chapter 11 of Proverbs our focus today will be…

Wisdom and Right-Living

This chapter repeatedly focuses on “righteousness,” a biblical word meaning “right-living.” The wise person strives to do right by others in all of life’s areas: personal relationships, neighbors, fellow citizens, co-workers, family members, and ministry.

Notice how often right-living is connected with “deliverance.” In contrast, the wicked will “trip,” be “conquered,” “walk into trouble,” “perish,” and “die.” This chapter makes a life of “right-living through right relationships” look really appealing! After all, you could save your life.

While each proverb usually stands alone, there are sometimes clusters that explore the same idea. In chapter 11 there’s a group about self-control (12-13) and another about generosity (24-26) exploring these topics through two contrasting ideas. Look carefully at what we are supposed to hold back (criticism and slander) compared to what we are to share (our possessions). We love to share our critical opinions, but not our money! Right-living creates real wisdom and knows when to shut its mouth and open its hands.

Also, take note of how Chapter 11 puts wealth in perspective (4, 16, 28). We’re reminded that money pales in comparison to such things as life, honor, and well-being. Even if wealth comes, don’t put your trust in it. You don’t need a lot of money to live the rich and satisfying life.

Is there anyone you need to show generosity to today? Is there someone you need to criticize less? Allow this chapter to mold you in the way of right-living.