January 25, 2008

Today's Reading - Proverbs 25
Click above for full KJV Online

Today's Pathway:previous - - - - - - - - - - - - next
Click above to go directly to TP
Following Scripture Verses

1. These are also proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.
2. It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter.
3. The heaven for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings is unsearchable.
4. Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer.
5. Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness.
6. Put not forth thyself in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great men:
7. For better it is that it be said unto thee, Come up hither; than that thou shouldest be put lower in the presence of the prince whom thine eyes have seen.
8. Go not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame.
9. Debate thy cause with thy neighbour himself; and discover not a secret to another:
10. Lest he that heareth it put thee to shame, and thine infamy turn not away.
11. A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.
12. As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.
13. As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to them that send him: for he refresheth the soul of his masters.
14. Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain.
15. By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.
16. Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it.
17. Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour's house; lest he be weary of thee, and so hate thee.
18. A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.
19. Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.
20. As he that taketh away a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon nitre, so is he that singeth songs to an heavy heart.
21. If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:
22. For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee.
23. The north wind driveth away rain: so doth an angry countenance a backbiting tongue.
24. It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman and in a wide house.
25. As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.
26. A righteous man falling down before the wicked is as a troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring.
27. It is not good to eat much honey: so for men to search their own glory is not glory.
28. He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.

Today's Pathway:
You may click on verses for Scripture

Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift [is like] clouds and wind without rain. - Proverbs 25:14

Have you ever had an experience like the following? You need something done,and an acquaintance comes to you and volunteers to help, telling you that he has the skills necessary to get the job done right. You give him the responsibility and come back later only to find out that he clearly did not know what he was doing, and thus he had made a mess of your project. People and situations like this are the focus of today's verse.

A farmer needs rain to survive. During a drought he checks the sky regularly looking for signs of an impending storm. How disappointing it must be to see the clouds darken and the winds increase, yet have no precipitation fall. This is the same response that we have to someone who tells us that he is able to accomplish something when he is really incapable of doing it.

There is little that we can do to solve this problem besides attempting to find out everything we can about the volunteer's talent level before he begins to work. However, one thing that we can control is our own guilt in claiming to have gifts and talents that we really do not posses. If you can't carry a tune, don't ask to be the Sunday morning soloist. If you struggle to communicate truth, don't boast of how great a teacher you are. Don't attempt to win the praise of men by saying, "I can do that" when the reality is that you can't do it. Having a willing spirit and volunteering is a wonderful thing. However, making claims that you can not back up not only makes you look foolish, but it ultimately hurts and disappoints the very ones that you said you wanted to help.

Pastor Mark J Montgomery