When Dinner is Free

O. T. $1486  "When Dinner is Free"
July 19, 2019
Proverbs 23

LET IT GLOW

Eating out with others, you want to be on your best behavior and use good manners, as well as your children, right? Her are some tips Solomon gives us. Ahh, gourmet food, a banquet, a special meeting, dinner at a nice restaurant-we are given some instruction concerning our actions during those times:

• Don't make a pig of yourself whenever you are invited out to eat and someone else is footing the bill, paying. (verse 1) That is the way to be courteous.
• Show moderation and self-control even when eating. (verse 2)
• Food may be a means by which deception is used for a favor. Be careful when eating with an important or influential person because they may try to bribe you. (verse 3)
• Don't associate with those who drink too much wine, or with those who gorge themselves on meat. (verse 20) We could become like them.
• Be aware of users, for they will ask you questions and use your answers against you later. A gossiper wants to find out things so they can spread it to others, often twisting the truth,  not considering if it hurts. (verses 6-8)
• Be careful of the company you keep. Birds of a feather flock together. Evil companions produce evil manners. (verses 19-21) [Resource: Proverbs by J. Vernon McGee]

I have had to learn the hard way concerning this good advice. You don't always have to answer questions whenever a snoopy person asks them. We can weasel our way out of them, for our own good. "Better ask them, not my department, hmm I had not thought of that" are some good answers. Sometimes it is best to avoid those people, too.

LET IT GROW

Get the truth and never sell it; also get wisdom, discipline, and good judgment. (verse 23)

Liberty Bible Commentary tells it like it is:

There are some things which ought not be sold at any price. Wisdom, self-discipline, and understanding are all children of the truth. These can only be obtained from Yahweh and are His gracious gift to the lowly. They are obtained without money (Isa. 55:1) and are pearls of great price (Matthew 13:44-46). Once obtained, they ought never be sold for any price.

We don't need to buy the truth with money, do we? Christ is all we need. He is all-wise and all-knowing.
Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 1:30, but of Him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption.

If we need to know the truth of a situation, ask Jesus.
If we need wisdom in a decision, ask Jesus.
If we need understanding, ask Jesus.
If we need a clean heart, ask Jesus.

LET IT GO

May I learn wisdom from Your Word and Solomon, then pass it on to others.
Help me listen more and talk less.