Wisdom in Relationships

Tradition and Wisdom
Teaching and Learning:
Righteousness and Wisdom

Proverbs 3:27-35

The Message

 ^27-29 Never walk away from someone who deserves help;
   your hand is God's hand for that person.
Don't tell your neighbor "Maybe some other time"
   or "Try me tomorrow"
   when the money's right there in your pocket.
Don't figure ways of taking advantage of your neighbor
   when he's sitting there trusting and unsuspecting.

 ^30-32 Don't walk around with a chip on your shoulder,
   always spoiling for a fight.
Don't try to be like those who shoulder their way through life.
   Why be a bully?
"Why not?" you say. Because God can't stand twisted souls.
   It's the straightforward who get his respect.

 ^33-35 God's curse blights the house of the wicked,
   but he blesses the home of the righteous.
He gives proud skeptics a cold shoulder,
   but if you're down on your luck, he's right there to help.
Wise living gets rewarded with honor;
   stupid living gets the booby prize.

For Reflection
A lot of the Old Testament wisdom literature is characterized by punishment for foolish choices and rewards for righteous choices.  The unwelcome events in our lives are not always a result of God's punishment.  Neither are all of the good things that happen to us favors from God.  Good things do happen to bad people and bad things do happen to good people.  Sometimes choosing a righteous path is risky and results in undesirable situations.  Just ask Paul.

But suffering, like art is in the eye (or in this case, perhaps, the soul) of the beholder.  One reward of righteous living is the ability to transcend suffering.   The object of acting on God's wisdom is to develop full, authentic and supportive relationships where God can work His miracles of grace.

Pray
that you will develop supportive relationships in which the Holy Spirit may do miraculous work.  Pray that you words and action are ones of healing, reconciliation, and mutual support.  Pray for the hope in a righteous life for all people.