Key Verses: Proverbs 13:22
A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children,
But the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous.

Let’s back up to yesterday’s blog, Proverbs 12, for an observation. Here are principles which will help us reach our goals: (1) Be teachable! – 12:1a (2) Ask God for wisdom and be wise! -12:8a (3) Be industrious! – 12:11a (4) Be a listener! – 12:15b (5) Be prudent! – 12:16b. The word “prudent” means well judged, making good decisions, sensible, and well advised!

Today we continue to read a litany of the results of our behaviour. Proverbs 13:7 may have been in the mind of Jesus when He challenged the rich young ruler to sell everything, give to the poor, and come and be one of His disciples (students). Jesus promised this young man that he would have treasure in Heaven if he sacrificed worldly possessions. The gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke all carry this story (check out Mark 10:17-22). Mark says that Jesus loved this young man. I can’t help but wonder if perhaps this young man was Mark, himself. We know that his family was wealthy as they owned the large upper room where Jesus celebrated the last Passover before His death and where the Holy Spirit came upon the 120 people gathered in that room. I like to think that this youth whom Jesus loved may have eventually done what Jesus told him to do. Our reading tells us, “One who makes himself poor, yet has great riches!”

PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, it’s a joy to consider the inheritance I will leave behind me someday. I pray for wisdom in the choices I make. May my legacy be a strong influence for You and for good in the lives of those who come after me. I ask this in the Name of Jesus, the One with whom I am, according to Scripture, a joint-heir of God (Romans 8:14-17). Amen!!!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:
This brings me to Proverbs 13:24, “He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines him promptly.” My how things change! When I taught public school over 60 years ago, I was supplied with a regulation strap by the department of education of Ontario for the disciplining of my students. I understood that the word “discipline” comes from the word “disciple” (a learner “talmudim” in Hebrew), and I also knew that for learning to take place, an orderly learning atmosphere must be maintained. Yes, I used that strap once. I took the three boys (who had locked me out of the classroom for about 5 minutes) into the cloakroom, closed the door, and the other children (grades 5 & 6) could hear what was going on. I never had to use the strap again. I had asked my Dad for advice in discipline. He quoted Shakespeare, “Consistency, thou are a rare jewel.” I wanted more advice, and he said, “That’s enough. Just meditate on that statement.” The message came through clearly. Speak once, make sure you are heard and understood, and then act if your thoughtful and important instructions are disobeyed.

Yours for all of us being what the school children in Israel are called, “Talmudim,”

David