Better Than Gold by Kevin Miller

Author:Kevin Miller [Miller, Kevin]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Christian
ISBN: 9781973637806
Goodreads: 42070702
Publisher: WestBow Press
Published: 2018-09-13T06:00:00+00:00

Dig Deeper

1. Which verse in Proverbs 16 stood out to you most and why?

2. What are some plans, timelines, and/or relationships in your life you need to surrender and commit to the Lord?

3. What are some specific things you can do to let go and let God take control of them?

“

HUMILITY ISN’T THINKING

LESS OF YOURSELF; IT IS THINKING

OF YOURSELF LESS.

Proverbs 17

BETTER TOGETHER

Solitaire. Single scoop ice cream. A one man show. What do all of these things have in common? They’re all on their own. Being on your own is fine in those cases, but we were not meant to live life on our own. In fact, in another of Solomon’s wisdom books, Ecclesiastes, he says, “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil” (Ecclesiastes 4:9).

After all, what’s the peanut butter without the jelly or the salt without the pepper?

Proverbs 17 gives some practical wisdom on how we relate to one another…

“WHOEVER COVERS AN OFFENSE SEEKS LOVE, BUT HE WHO REPEATS A MATTER SEPARATES CLOSE FRIENDS.”

— PROVERBS 17:9 —

Covering an offense doesn’t mean denying the truth or scandalously covering for someone so they don’t get caught. Covering an offense means not broadcasting their failure. Sin must be dealt with but in the most loving, gracious manner possible, seeking to protect the person’s integrity and reputation as much as possible. And be careful of spreading gossip under the guise of prayer requests on the person’s behalf. Christians are especially good at “sanctified gossip!”

“The beginning of strife is like letting out water, so quit before the quarrel breaks out.”

— PROVERBS 17:14 —

When our church was just eight months old, we lost everything due to a flood that hit our city. Interestingly, it wasn’t because it rained too much in Clarksville—it was because officials opened a dam in Nashville! Since we are downstream from Nashville, their decision to open the dam led to a devastating flood. It’s similar with anger. When strife begins, it’s just a small, manageable leak. We need to be quick to patch things up before the dam breaks and devastation occurs within the relationship.

“A FRIEND LOVES AT ALL TIMES, AND A BROTHER IS BORN FOR ADVERSITY.”

— PROVERBS 17:17 —

Love is not an emotion; it’s a choice. It’s easy to love—and to feel the emotions that surround love—when things are running smooth. But, a true friend loves even when it’s hard to love—even in adversity. Are you a friend who continues to love even when it’s hard? Adversity is one of the most important times for us to choose love.

“WHOEVER RESTRAINS HIS WORDS HAS KNOWLEDGE, AND HE WHO HAS A COOL SPIRIT IS A MAN OF UNDERSTANDING.”

— PROVERBS 17:27 —

Restraining our words is the patchwork on the dam we discussed earlier. When we choose to let our tongue loose, the dam breaks and devastation occurs. The antidote to a hot temper and fiery words is “a cool spirit.” Restraining our words and keeping a cool spirit is like pouring water on a hot fire—it can extinguish the danger and prevent potential disaster.

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