Bible Thoughts

November 9, 2003

"He that gathereth in summer is a wise son: but he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame"(Proverbs 10:5).

There is a time to work and a time to rest. While one has the energy and the stamina to work, it is time to gather one's harvest. Opportunities to increase one's standard of life should be claimed when they are available. When such arise within one's life, especially among the young, it is proper to take advantage of what has been offered. Many of the plans of youth lie on the bed of do-nothing because they did not use their energy and abilities to claim what was offered to them. My young friend, use your energy and your effort to make a life as a Christian that will not only be satisfying to you, but will prepare you for a home in heaven. The harvest of righteousness awaits you in eternity.

We live in a country where one has the freedom to study and learn whatever is available to humanity. Yet, many refuse to take advantage of the opportunities that are available. Many of those who are in poverty simply did not use the opportunities that were offered to be taught in the proper offerings of this life. Especially is this true when it comes to religion. Poverty is not limited to material substance: one can be spiritually starving through refusing the instructions found in the New Testament. The Lord's church offers many opportunities to learn, and yet, a host of folks do not take advantage of what is offered.

There is another element in this passage: reproof. All of us make mistakes and have need from time to time to be corrected. When one is willing to point out those faults in another's life, proper honor is to be given to the one who cares about the soul of that person. Too many resent such efforts and fail to accept the help that is offered by one who is concerned about the soul of the individual. Never react negatively to those who want to help you live a life of righteousness: they care for your soul!

It always pays to listen to the whole story. One basic fault of many of us(author included) are too hasty to respond to what someone is saying. It happens in the home(husbands tend to be notorious in this); it happens in the workplace; it happens in times of leisure; it happens in the assembly of the saints. It is not always easy to listen to another in a society that is based on how fast one can move through life, doing everything and anything that involves one's desires of the heart. Let each of us take a little time to listen to others, especially to our mates, our children, the brethren, and those who need our assistance. It would be a shame to miss a golden opportunity because we did not listen! Proper listening enhances proper living.

Proper discipline produces proper children. When a child is left to his own ways, only misery will follow. It is the responsibility of parents to see that their children are reared in the "nurture and admonition of the Lord."(It is not the task of the neighborhood; it is not the government's task; it is not the task of the schools--it is the task of the parents!) A child who is neglected in this matter cannot adjust properly to life as an adult. When younger, they will commit acts that are embarrassing to the parent. When older, they will bring sadness and sorrow into the hearts of those who cared the most for them. One does not have to be a "child beater" to guide and discipline a child. All of us, however, including the younger, need to be corrected from time to time. It will make us a better person who is strong enough to face the issues of life.

"I write not these things to shame you, but to admonish you as my beloved children"(I Corinthians 4:14).

Paul was interested, above all else, in the souls of the brethren at Corinth. He was not trying simply to shame them, but to inspire them to accept and follow the divine instructions of the New Testament. The apostle uses the word admonish to make his point. The word is defined as "to reprove gently but earnestly." His interest in leading the brethren in the pathway of righteousness provoked him to refer to them as "my beloved children." No one should resent being admonished by a faithful Christian. The concern focuses on the spiritual welfare of the disciple.

Under the guise of free speech, our society has become the victim of ungodly speech. There seems to be no respect for the decent speech of righteous people. The cursing, the blaspheming, the ungodly words, and the evil speech has been brought out of the closet into the home, the workplace, the entertainment field, the school ground, the radio, the television, the newspapers, ad infinitum. One who lacks the proper use of decent speech will resort to such filth in order to believe they are expressing themselves. Yes--they are expressing themselves, but someday the Lord will express to them the consequences of taking the name of the Lord "in vain."