Growing with God: A daily devotional with Tonia Slimm.
Proverbs 29:3 (NIV)
A man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father, but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth.
Proverbs 29:3 (MSG)
If you love wisdom, you’ll delight your parents, but you’ll destroy their trust if you run with whores.
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“A man who loves [skillful and godly] wisdom makes his father joyful, but he who associates with prostitutes wastes his wealth.” -AMPLIFIED
“A man is known by the company he keeps” ~Aesop
“An adult who loves wisdom and follows its ways gives his parents joy, but one who hangs out with women of the street will lose everything.” -(VOICE)
Once again we find Solomon repeating words of advice that he has given to us before. The first part of the proverb points out the honor of the wise man; the second address the reproach of the fool who wastes his money on wild woman. The wise person is brings joy and delight to his parents; the fool will destroy his parents trust and become destitute.
“A wise son makes his father happy, but a lad who hangs around with prostitutes disgraces him.” -(TLB)
“Wise son, glad father; stupid son, sad mother.” ~Solomon (Proverbs 10:1 MSG)
Solomon has stressed the importance of seeking wisdom over and over again. He has also pointed out the fact that if a child seeks to become wise it will bring great joy to his parents. Take note:
“My son, if you live wisely, then my life will be fulfilled. My very soul will jump for joy when you speak what is true and right.” -Proverbs 23:15-16 (VOICE)
A parent’s heart is blessed when they see their child, youngster or adult, accomplish something well. It does indeed give the parent a sense of fulfillment and gratification. The parent, at that moment, realizes that their child truly is a gift from God. It was Solomon who wrote this psalm. Look at what he had to say about children.
“Don’t you see that children are God’s best gift? The fruit of the womb his generous legacy? Like a warrior’s fistful of arrows are the children of a vigorous youth. Oh, how blessed are you parents, with your quivers full of children! Your enemies don’t stand a chance against you; you’ll sweep them right off your doorstep.” -Psalm 127:3-5 The Message (MSG)
We have established that the wise son/daughter will bring joy to his/her parents, but we will see through Scripture that the foolish child will bring sorrow. Solomon told us this in the past:
“[Skillful and godly] wisdom is in the presence of a person of understanding [and he recognizes it], but the eyes of a [thickheaded] fool are on the ends of the earth. A foolish son is a grief and anguish to his father and bitterness to her who gave birth to him.” -Proverbs 17:24-25 (AMP)
Solomon has spoken in the past about not keeping company with loose women. In our proverb today he conveys the fact that by keeping company with this sort of person we are setting ourselves up for destruction. Previously Solomon made this clear to us as well; he said:
“Dear friend, pay close attention to this, my wisdom; listen very closely to the way I see it. Then you’ll acquire a taste for good sense; what I tell you will keep you out of trouble. The lips of a seductive woman are oh so sweet, her soft words are oh so smooth. But it won’t be long before she’s gravel in your mouth, a pain in your gut, a wound in your heart. She’s dancing down the primrose path to Death; she’s headed straight for Hell and taking you with her. She hasn’t a clue about Real Life, about who she is or where she’s going. So, my friend, listen closely; don’t treat my words casually. Keep your distance from such a woman; absolutely stay out of her neighborhood. You don’t want to squander your wonderful life, to waste your precious life among the hardhearted. Why should you allow strangers to take advantage of you? Why be exploited by those who care nothing for you? You don’t want to end your life full of regrets, nothing but sin and bones, Saying, “Oh, why didn’t I do what they told me? Why did I reject a disciplined life? Why didn’t I listen to my mentors, or take my teachers seriously? My life is ruined! I haven’t one blessed thing to show for my life!” -Proverbs 5:1-14 (MSG)
“You can’t keep a clean reputation hanging around messy people.” ~Unknown
These proverbs do not only apply to keeping company with prostitutes, but with keeping company with anyone who will entice you toward the ways of sin. Solomon has advised us in the past in this way:
“He who walks [as a companion] with wise men will be wise, but the companions of [conceited, dull-witted] fools [are fools themselves and] will experience harm. Adversity pursues sinners, but the [consistently] upright will be rewarded with prosperity.” -Proverbs 13:20-21 (AMP)
The Apostle Paul also cautions us on keeping good company. He wrote to the Corinthian church this:
“But don’t be so naïve—there’s another saying you know well—Bad company corrupts good habits.” -1 Corinthians 15:33 (VOICE)
“Don’t be misled by bad company! Bad company corrupts good character.” ~UNKNOWN
We close today with a reminder from Solomon about listening to the guidance of our parents, and bringing them joy, and also being careful of the company that we keep. Solomon instructs us in this way:
“Pay close attention, friend, to what your father tells you; never forget what you learned at your mother’s knee. Wear their counsel like flowers in your hair, like rings on your fingers. Dear friend, if bad companions tempt you, don’t go along with them. If they say—“Let’s go out and raise some hell. Let’s beat up some old man, mug some old woman. Let’s pick them clean and get them ready for their funerals. We’ll load up on top-quality loot. We’ll haul it home by the truckload. Join us for the time of your life! With us, it’s share and share alike!”—Oh, friend, don’t give them a second look; don’t listen to them for a minute. They’re racing to a very bad end, hurrying to ruin everything they lay hands on. Nobody robs a bank with everyone watching, Yet that’s what these people are doing—they’re doing themselves in. When you grab all you can get, that’s what happens: the more you get, the less you are.” -Proverbs 1:8-19 (MSG)
“You are who you are by virtue of the company you keep.” ~T. B. Joshua
My friend, be careful of the company that you keep. You become like those who you spend the most of your time with. Remember as well that you are to bring honor to your parents; seek wisdom and bring them great joy.
“A mirror reflects a man’s face, but what he is really like is shown by the kind of friends he chooses.” ~Colin Powell
My Prayer:
Lord, please give me the wisdom I need to walk through this day. Help me to bring honor and joy, not only to my parents, but to you as well. Remind me that those I choose to keep company with will have an impact on who I am. I have chosen to represent you and I need to be a reflection of Jesus. Help me, Lord, to always keep that commitment at the forefront of my mind; so that when I am making choices they will bring glory and honor to you. Thank you.
Growing with God 