Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. Today is Day 521 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 the 2nd half of Chapter 27.
We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. This past weekend we had our delayed Chamberlain Christmas celebration with our 5 kids, their spouses, and 6 grandkids. We had a blessed time sharing life and a few gifts. Paula made each couple a “picnic quilt” and neatly folded and placed it in a picnic basket. They all looked beautiful, and the kids really appreciated them.
Of course, the time we invested with all of our grandkids was extra special. This season of life where we are friends and mentors to our grown children is rewarding. We are always open to what they are learning and experiencing so that we can continue to grow in wisdom, insight, and understanding. This reminds me of verse 17 of our passage today, which says…
Let’s start our trek, as we explore verses 15-27.
15 A quarrelsome wife is as annoying
as constant dripping on a rainy day.
16 Stopping her complaints is like trying to stop the wind
or trying to hold something with greased hands.
It is difficult being around a person who enjoys arguing and complaining. This is especially true in a marriage situation where you cannot walk away from or avoid your spouse. If you have a spouse who is prone to complaining and arguing, gently over time encourage them to change their attitude for the benefit and preservation of your marriage. While you can encourage them to change, it must be their decision, since it is impossible for us to change someone else. If you attempt to change them, it is like a constant dripping or holding onto something with greased hands, no matter how much you try, the results are not effective. One note of caution, check yourself to make sure you are not a person who argues or complains.
17 As iron sharpens iron,
so a friend sharpens a friend.
To sharpen a knife or ax, many times the tool used to sharpen the other tool is made of the same materials. In the same way, the best way to improve and grow is to be part of a peer group or mastermind where it is the intent to help each other grow, improve, and mature. This requires loving honesty with each other for your mutual benefit.
18 As workers who tend a fig tree are allowed to eat the fruit,
so workers who protect their employer’s interests will be rewarded.
A farmer who grows and takes care...
