Day 696 – People Are More Important Than Things – Proverbs 27

Wisdom-Trek

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 696 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. I am Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom People Are More Important Than Things - Proverbs 27 Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. Today is Day 696 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 27 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. I am working on-site with our partners on our construction projects in Mesa, Arizona, and it is important that we invest this time together assisting each other to make the business and projects successful. Even more important is that we are providing a product that will benefit the funding group and ultimately the purchasers of the townhomes. As we explore Proverbs 27 today, it is very important that we invest in the lives of people because… People Are More Important Than Things Hezekiah’s scribes arranged this collection into two parts, each with a unique design and message. Part 1 is made up of verses 1-22. Every two verses in Part 1 are linked together by a common theme. Part 2 is a one-unit poem that spans from verses 23-27. Part 1: verses 1-22 — The Hebrew alphabet is comprised of 22 letters, and many scholars believe this section is intentionally designed to be 22 verses long. Every two verses are paired (1-2, 3-4, 5-6, etc.) and highlight different interpersonal skills. In other words, this collection is the “ABC’s of Successful Relationships.” If you ignore this wisdom, your relationships will suffer. Follow its advice, and you will nurture lasting friendships. Part 2: verses 23-27 — This section is one long, flowing poem about leadership and is rich in farming imagery. Its purpose is to develop character in a leader (see verse 24), and the point is that leading requires constant attention and personal care. One’s resources are continually shifting and opportunities changing. The only way to create stability is through careful attention to those you lead. Together, Parts 1 and 2 send a clear message: People are more important than things. Invest your energy into people. Do the hard work it takes to cultivate healthy relationships. Who needs your time today? In what ways can you prioritize people over tasks? Ask the Lord for insight as you go into your day.Listen intently as I read Proverbs 27. 1 Don’t brag about what may happen tomorrow because you have no idea what it will bring. 2 Let someone else praise you; compliments are always sweeter from a stranger’s lips than from your own. 3 Heavy is rock and weighty is sand, but more burdensome than either is the anger of a fool. 4 Wrath is fierce and anger is a tidal wave of fury, but who of us can stand up against jealousy? 5 Open rebuke is better than hidden love. 6 Wounds inflicted by the correction of a friend prove he is faithful; the abundant kisses of an enemy show his lies. 7 The person who is full has no interest in honey; but to the starving, bitterness itself is sweet. 8 Like a bird that strays far from its nest, so is a person who forsakes his own home. 9 The heart is delighted by the fragrance of oil and sweet perfumes, and in just the same way, the soul is sweetened by the wise counsel of a friend. 10 Do not neglect your friend or your parent’s friend for that matter. When hard times come, you don’t have to travel far to get help from family; A neighbor who is near is better than a brother who is far away. 11 Study to be wise, my son, and make my heart glad, for then your life will be my answer to anyone who hurls insults. 12 The astute see evil coming and take shelter, but the stupid plow right on and then, of course, have to pay the price.