How to avoid running into poles and other painful obstacles

The way of fools seems right to them, 
 but the wise listen to advice.
Proverbs 12:15

It's funny how you can be so sure your doing the right thing until suddenly it all falls apart (embarrassingly I'm sure for the person who followed this sign).  How do you avoid many of life's pitfalls and save yourself the pain of regret and failure?

Just as we all have the capacity for foolishness, so too can we have our moments of wisdom.  I have learnt that one of the wisest things you can do is to seek good advice. This has been invaluable for me and I have learnt a few keys in it's practical implementation.

Find people you can trust who have proved themselves not through mere words but through the fruit produced by their actions.  The old adage 'actions speak louder than words' will help give you a true measure of a persons character, integrity and wisdom.  Let go of pride and speak honestly with someone whom you have come to trust and respect, give them permission to challenge your mindsets.

Every man and his dog has an opinion, learn to shut out the noise.  Everyone loves to feel like they can help you out by putting in their 2cents but it is important not to be continually swayed by all the noise.  Listen to good advice and ignore those who have obviously not been in a habit of making wise decisions for themselves.

Seek advice from those who are wise, and remember that at the end of the day it is up to you to make the decision.  Sometimes this will mean making choices that fly in the face of conventional wisdom, but end up being the right way for you!

So many flavours, how will I ever choose?

Trust in the LORD with all your heart 
 and lean not on your own understanding; 
in all your ways submit to him, 
 and he will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3: 5-6

Life is full of so many choices and decisions ranging from which gelati flavour should I have, to who should I marry.  Are we left to ourselves to try and work it all out?  Lemon, mixed berry, bacio, pistachio it's so hard to choose.

You won't know if you don't ask.  This proverb tells us that if we trust God and forego our own limited understanding that he will make our paths straight.  I find this to be such a comfort and have tested this promise many times over.  It is as simple as asking God to open the right opportunity and close the door to the wrong one.  You may find that when it comes to making that big decision, you will have a real peace about what is the right choice to make.  In regards to which gelati to choose? It probably doesn't really matter too much (though I do find the fruity ones are the nicest )

Submission sounds like such a weak thing to do, but there is real power and success to be gained.  So to give you an example.  The boss of BMW comes along and says, alright gang today we are going to create and build something, I want everyone to go off by themselves and do the best they can.  Don't bother talking to each other because then you might have to compromise your own greatness and submit to someone else's ideas.  You can see that if no one communicated that you would never create anything great.  Conversely, when you have a master plan to work towards and you use each person's strengths in context of the whole picture, a master piece is created.

So, God knows what is going on and is waiting for you to ask him, trust him and walk through the door he opens.  Are you big enough to realise you can't do it on your own?

Enough talk, it's time for action!

Do not boast about tomorrow, 
 for you do not know what a day may bring forth
Proverbs 27:1

Boast: An act of talking with excessive pride and self-satisfaction.

There is a difference between optimism and being boastful. The ability to look into the future and see the best that life has to offer that you may strive for success is a great motivator.  In contrast the person who never shuts up about what they are going to do and how impressive they are, always ends up getting on your nerves. 

The future is full of much uncertainty, in truth no man can guarantee what tomorrow will (or won't) deliver.  With this in mind, it is also important to pursue life or you may discover that it is passing you by.  The people that I find the most inspirational and interesting to talk to, are not the ones who talk the biggest but rather the people who don't need to boast because their actions speak louder than mere words.

Take hold of life and be a person of action and measurable success rather than someone who relies on boastful promises of what they are going to achieve.

Breaking bones and changing the world, all with your tongue

Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, 
 and a gentle tongue can break a bone.
Proverbs 25:15

The pen is mightier than the sword, but with your tongue you can break bones!  Are you making full use of your tongue?

I am challenged by two key components of this proverb. Firstly, that it is through patience that large scale change is brought about.  Persuading a ruler is massive, the ability of an ordinary individual to bring about change on a national scale is no small thing.  I think that with an understanding of the patience and persistence that may be required, you would ensure that you were well prepared and not attempt to bring change unless you were confident with your argument's validity.

Secondly, the power of gently spoken words.  This seems to fly in the face of the parliament we see today, where it is the person who can yell over the raucous protests from the opposition party that is upheld as being victorious.  A gently spoken word turns away aggression and has the power to inspire action.

If you want to bring change and challenge someone's understanding, approach the situation with patience and persistence and understand the disarming nature of words gently spoken.

Crazy homeless men and psycho street kids, what are you missing out on?

If a man shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, 
 he too will cry out and not be answered.
Proverbs 21:13

Do you feed the hungry, clothe the poor, and visit people in prison?  I am referring to the physical act of getting your hands dirty and building relationships with these people face to face.  Giving money to charities and churches is important but you may be missing the point.

I have always appreciated the practice of helping those in need and have given financially to different organisations in support of this idea.  But it is only in recent years that I have come to understand the true power of actually getting out there and doing something practically myself.  I think that as a society we like to be seen to be generous but often retreat from coming face to face with the hurt, suffering and poverty that people around us are facing.

It can be inconvenient to your lifestyle to build relationships with people in need, but when you see them through the eyes of God and start to love them, they bring a change for the better into your own life.  Hugs from psycho full of beans street kids, is something you will never experience whilst sitting in the comfort of your home. 

Stop making excuses about being busy with stuff and go help someone in need.  You may find that when you are struggling, it is the inspiration and joy from these people that helps carry you through.

Get out of bed you slacker!

Do not love sleep or you will grow poor; 
 stay awake and you will have food to spare.
Proverbs 20:13

It can be so hard to get out of bed some days.  It's amazing the excuses you can formulate at that time of the morning to avoid throwing back the doona and extracting yourself from the warmth of your bed.

Something I have come to realise is that the people who are consistently successful, are the ones who get up early and get a head start on everyone else.  So this is something that I have been trialling of late.  It is definitely a great feeling once you have made it out the door, but I think my increasing dependence on coffee to maintain this intensity may not be so good.  One step at a time.

This proverb really does ring true.  Get up early and you get so much more done. 


Give it a try.

Maybe yelling at God wasn't such a good idea

A man's own folly ruins his life, 
 yet his heart rages against the LORD.
Proverbs 19:3

Ever had those moments when you're standing there yelling at God, like He is hard of hearing?

It is the classic scene in the movie; the winds is howling, the rain is bucketing down, you're sailing a ship (we all sail ships right?) and your yelling at the top of you're lungs, expelling all your pent up frustration with God.  He must get this all the time, but are we really just looking to shift the blame away from ourselves?  

This proverb reminds me of the need to be accountable for my own decisions and actions.  Getting angry with God and entering into a yelling match will only leave you hoarse and exhausted.  The beauty of His love for us and the freedom of choice that He grants us, is that we have to take responsibility for how we choose to live out our lives.

Trust in God and seek Him for guidance and wisdom in life.  When the world comes crashing down, rather than looking to shift the blame to God direct your frustration to bringing change in your own life and the lives of those around you.

After being given up for dead, imagine the joy when you are rescued

Each heart knows its own bitterness, 
 and no one else can share its joy.
Proverbs 14:10

The whole world is literally watching as you await rescue, stuck down a mine for 69 days.  The emotional roller-coaster experience of spending 15 days without any sign of rescue and then finally being reunited with your loved ones.  The sorrow and joy of this experience is something that will only truly be understood by those 33 men.


As I read this proverb this morning I was thinking about these trapped miners and how one miner in particular, Yonni Barrios Rojas was coming up to face a very public scrutiny of his personal life.  During the time that this man was trapped underground he was found out to be having an affair with his wife, who consequently refused to even watch the rescue.  He must have felt mixed emotions when he surfaced to see his mistress waiting for him.

What struck me with this whole experience and with the footage showing the excitement and anticipation upon the faces of the loved ones, is that it is easy for us to sit back and think we understand what they have gone through.  The truth is that you can probably never truly understand the pain and joy that is experienced by others.

Be careful not to judge others for you can never really know where they are coming from and the experiences that have shaped who they are.  Living a life of love and grace with those around you is always the best response.

I didn't even touch the guy, ump!

A fool shows his annoyance at once, 
 but a prudent man overlooks an insult.
Proverbs 12:16

Team sport; some say the true character of a person is shown once they cross that white line.  Have you ever had words with an umpire or maybe given a little shove to the opponent?

I have reignited my passion for playing team sport this year and have enjoyed the rush of adrenaline and felt 'alive' as my pounding heart tries to tear a hole in my chest.  It's amazing how wired you can get from the whole experience, I know because a late game last night meant I only got 4 hours sleep.  In the moments of passion we are often confronted by the whistle of the umpire and the corresponding call that surely wasn't right, 'I didn't even touch the guy' (as the opponent lays sprawled across the court at your feet).

The ability to keep your mouth shut can make a huge difference.  The umpire will always get calls wrong, what you will find though is that the more you whinge and complain the more that calls will go against you.  Contain your frustration, the quicker your over it the quicker you get back in the game.

This proverb applies not only in sport but also in life and relationships.  It is the fool who unleashes their frustration, the better approach is to bite your tongue and overlook the insult.  People will always offend you and mess you around, it's part of spending your life interacting with other human beings.

Quick to apologise and slow to anger is a sure winner in relationships and marriages
(Hot tip for young players).

How many people have to die before you will be "generous"?

A generous man will prosper; 
 he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.
Proverbs 11:25

Australia is a country that is known for lending a helping hand.  The bush fires, floods, tsunami, red shield appeal are all examples where we reach into our pockets to help others who are doing it tough.  But do we limit generosity to giving money once or twice a year? What about our daily interactions with those around us?

I have always enjoyed being able to give to people financially especially when there in no expectation and it comes as a great surprise to the receiver.  The point of the gift is to bless the person in need but as this proverb suggests, the person giving the gift often finds the real blessing is in the giving not the receiving.

Recently I have been reminded that generosity stretches beyond just finances, though this is often an important place to start.  The ability to give someone your time and attention may be the gift they really need.  This then turns around each of our daily interactions from the subconscious what can I get out of this person  to the pretence of how can I brighten this persons day. Imagine if we were able to leave every conversation having made that persons day just a little bit better.  It really is a challenge sometimes especially when you can tend to be task focused like me.

Generosity; to give without the expectation of anything in return.  Be generous in finance and love.  You may find that a little self sacrifice brings the greatest returns in life. 

Maybe the problem isn't everybody else...

To fear the LORD is to hate evil;
 I [Wisdom] hate pride and arrogance,
 evil behavior and perverse speech.
Proverbs 8:13

We are all selfish.  Racism, poverty, crime, violence, pollution, they all stem from the core problem that all humans are naturally selfish.  If we are all God's creation why is it easier to make selfish and destructive choices than it is to help those around us. What hope do we have for living a life of good?

I guess this is where we have to make a choice.  To reject evil, is to fight every day against your natural human response, but to give in to it is to live a destructive life that ends in a lonely death.  Through choosing to fear (respect and honour) God and seek wisdom, our heart starts to resemble his and we are given principles that guide us in making right, selfless choices.

God is all that is good in this world and as you seek and implement wisdom you will find that there is no room left for pride, arrogance, evil action and perverse speech.  However, this is a long ongoing process.  Having a heart for God and seeking to reject the corrupt nature of this world will not remove the fact that more often than not selfishness is our first thought.  

Challenge yourself to understand the heart of God and not to think of your self first.  Don't beat yourself up when you keep getting it wrong, we all mess up every day but our next choice is a fresh opportunity.  

If pride and arrogance are the fruit of selfishness, seek rather to exhibit the fruit of selflessness; love, peace, patience and kindness.

Are you smarter than an ant?

Go to the ant, you sluggard; 
 consider its ways and be wise!

It has no commander, 

 no overseer or ruler,

yet it stores its provisions in summer
 and gathers its food at harvest.

Proverbs 6:6-8

Can a tiny little insect really be wiser than a lazy man?

Ants have colonised almost every landmass on Earth. Their success in so many environments has been attributed to their social organisation and their ability to modify habitats, tap resources, and defend themselves. 

Ant societies have division of labour, communication between individuals, and an ability to solve complex problems.  These parallels with human societies have long been an inspiration and subject of study. 

[Ant - Wikipedia]

There are numerous lessons that can be learned from the humble ant.  For me this proverb highlights the ability of the ant to remain focused and adhere to some simple principals.  

The ant knows how to save and not eat into the profits when the going is good.  What's the first thing that most people think of when they get a pay rise or bonus at work? We needed a new TV. Time to take that weekend away. Just in time for the sale down at wherever.  Imagine using the extra money that you have survived without this far, to improve your long term position and create a buffer for when the winter times come.  Following the ant's little theory may well have avoided the sovereign debt crisis.

The ant knows how to work hard at the right time and convert labour into profits.  Work hard but work smart.  You have to be able to see opportunities and take them when the harvest is ripe, in business and in life.  Inaction is the biggest killer of success, don't be a sluggard.  If you start moving and only get something 80% right, at least you are better off than having done nothing at all.  Steering a stationary ship achieves nothing, but once the ship has momentum adjustments to its course are easily made.

Get up, get going and stay focused.  Simply acquiring knowledge is useless, it is in the application that wisdom is found.

The money, the power, the women

He will die for lack of discipline, 
 led astray by his own great folly
Proverbs 5:23

Sometimes we are our own worst enemy.  The temptations of this world are so real; lust, greed, and violence.  In the words of Tony Montana "you gotta make the money first. Then when you get the money, you get the power. Then when you get the power, then you get the women".  How many people are aspiring to this sort of success in one form or another?

I love watching movies.  I am always captivated by a good story and seek to learn from other's experiences, fictional as they may be.  It's amazing though how often the hero that we are aspiring to emulate is a ladies' man, or seems to leave a trail of violence-driven destruction in their wake (Bond, I can't get enough of it).  The problem is the movie ends and often we miss the real end to the story when they become old, bitter and broken hearted.  Or in the case of Scarface the consequences are fairly obvious, death.  He will die...led astray by his own great folly.  Paints a fairly bleak picture doesn't it.  We may not all be running drug rings but the temptations are the same.

To resist temptation and do what is right comes down to discipline.  This seems to be a common theme in the acquisition of wisdom (Short Sighted? You may need more than just glasses).  First you have to understand that your actions have long reaching consequences and then distinguish what is the right thing to do.  Second, you have to actually do it.  Simple, well not really otherwise we wouldn't all keep stuffing up.

No one is perfect and we will all continue to make mistakes.  Don't let that discourage you from desiring to make the right decisions and being disciplined so as not to give in to the temptations that flaunt themselves daily.

How to keep smiling, even after your world falls apart...

Above all else, guard your heart, 
 for it is the wellspring of life
Proverbs 4:23

Why is it that some people wake up to a heaviness everyday, where as others come up smiling no matter what life throws at them.  Bad stuff happens and is something we can't control. On the other hand, how you respond is entirely up to you?

Many people in life are defined by their worst moments, the pain from these events becomes a constant companion.  Whether it be bullying , broken relationships, or the death of a close friend or family member.  There are very real emotional consequences to life's worst moments that can take time to heal.  For me this proverb provides guidance to help get through the tough times and come out smiling at the other end.

Guard you heart.  Resist the temptation to hold on to hatred and pain.  Don't let hurt consume you and corrupt the purity of your heart.  I have personally gone through the pain and loss that came with the death of my mum after a battle with cancer.  It's a big thing for a 13 year old kid to lose a parent.  It was important for me not to convert that pain into hatred and bitterness.  I didn't blame other people, I didn't blame God,  bad stuff just happens some times.

The condition of your heart shines through in all your relationships and actions. Let your life be filled with moments of joy and not be defined by pain and hurt.  A cheerful heart will energise you and bring a smile not only to your face but also to the faces of those around you.

Short sighted? You may need more than just glasses

(¹ The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel)

for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life, 
 doing what is right and just and fair
Proverbs 1:3

Life provides us with endless choices, challenges and opportunities.  Your view on life will affect your response to each of these.  Are you self focused and short sighted?  Is taking the easy way out your most common response?

This verse provides us with a choice, an opportunity.  The wisdom that is contained within the proverbs can be used to live a life doing what is right, just and fair.  Most of us would wish this to be said of how we lived our lives. The first part of the verse gives insight into what is required to achieve this.

Discipline is a word that makes most of us cringe. The association with punishment as a kid rings true for me.  The thing that I have come to realise is that nothing great can be achieved without perseverance and discipline.  This is what keeps you focused when you feel down, it gets you out of bed when all you want to do is sleep.  The ability to create good habits will help you overcome the emotional ups and downs.  Consistency over long periods of time will always out perform a one hit wonder.

Prudence:  Acting with or showing care and thought for the future (I had to look it up).  This means giving up the opportunity to cut corners and choosing to persist with hard work to achieve the long term gains.  The greatest achievements can take place over multiple generations, the pay-off may never be seen in your life time.  Now that kind of success takes prudence and discipline.

Seek to live a life doing what is right and just and fair.  Seek first wisdom and embrace discipline, making prudent choices with each step along the way.

So what, you're going to say "yes" to everything?

Fear of man will prove to be a snare, 
 but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe.
Proverbs 29:25

There are many people in our lives whose approval we seek.  Often opinions are pushed upon us from all directions and it can be hard to know what is right.  The advice of those you respect is invaluable, but seeking to please everyone will only lead you in circles.  How do you sort out the truth through all the noise?

Something that stands out in this proverb for me is the opening line, 'fear of man'.  If you are afraid of what people may think of you and you seek to keep everyone happy, you are effectively succumbing to this fear.  It takes courage to stick to your guns and do what you know is right.  I have heard it said that if your actions do not cause offence to someone, then you are probably not doing anything truly great. This is not to say that causing offence should be your aim, rather that in achieving great things in life you will always come across opposition.

So where does that leave us?  Simply put, the answer lies in trusting God.  I don't want this to sound all airy fairy, but when you understand that God actually does have a plan for your life, you can ask him and trust that the right door will open.  

Build strong relationships and don't disregard the wisdom of those around you.  This has been a key factor in my life.  Find people you trust and respect, and listen to what they have to say.  Surround yourself with those who are wiser than you, and you may find that wisdom is contagious.

Do not spend your life seeking to please everyone. Rather, develop relationships with people whose advice you respect, and above all else, trust in God and he will direct your paths.

How to get rich quick...or not

A stingy man is eager to get rich 
 and is unaware that poverty awaits him.
Proverbs 28:22

Do you want to be rich?  It's not an unreasonable desire, but it's your motives and actions that will determine your true success in the long run.

Money has the potential to change lives, for good and for bad.  The ability to save and sacrifice is essential in accumulating long lasting wealth.  The trap is not to become stingy and forget that generosity is one of the greatest gifts that money has to offer.  You have to ask yourself why you want to be rich in the first place?

The man who is consumed with the accumulation of money for selfish purposes will find himself all alone, having burnt all his bridges, leaving a trail of broken relationships in his wake.  Wealth can disappear and leave you in poverty before you know what hit you.  Just ask all the people who won the lotto only to end up in a worse position than when they started.

Poverty can be both financial and emotional, guard your heart and never let money or its pursuit consume you.

A man's wealth is measured not by the amount of money he accumulates, but by his generosity.

Warning! Your life will self-destruct in 3..2..1..

The prudent see danger and take refuge, 
 but the simple keep going and suffer for it.
Proverbs 27:12

Are you one step away from self-destruction without even realising it?

Throughout life we are faced with many circumstances that require us to re-evaluate our situation and decide on what our next move might be. The ability to make a timely decision can greatly affect the direction in which our life travels and save us from unnecessary pain and suffering.  Can you take action now that will save you from catastrophe?

This proverb differentiates between two responses, the simple and the prudent. A quick search on Google gives this definition for prudence: Acting with or showing care and thought for the future.  To me this really speaks of having a big picture mentality.  In looking to the future and understanding the long-term ramifications of our actions we can make more informed and constructive decisions.  In contrast, the simple don't even want to think about it and keep ploughing forward with their head down.

Maybe it's time you took a long hard look at where you stand in contrast to where you want to be in the future. A little perspective might free you from a destructive relationship, a dead end job,  excessive spending habits, alcoholism or maybe just laziness that has prevented you from even thinking honestly about the your future.

Investing 101, simple as planting a seed

First plant your fields;
 then build your house.
Proverbs 24:27

Cars, clothes and holidays to warm sunny places. It's such a nice feeling to enjoy the fruits of your hard work.  The challenge is to achieve a balance between sowing (earning) and reaping (spending).

To help us understand this proverb here is a simple investment principle for you.

Assets put money in your pocket                   Liabilities take money out

In this proverb fields represent the ability to generate income.  By planting your field you are creating an investment that will return profit in the future, an asset.  Therefore this proverb is saying that it's important to secure your financial security first before spending your money on things that aren't necessities and keep costing you money, liabilities. And as much as I try to justify it to myself an expensive car is not an asset.


There is light at the end of the tunnel.  The proverb doesn't say not to build your house, it just shows us how to do it responsibly.  There are many people who have spent their early years building their assets to such a point that they earn a large income without even getting out of bed.  Being in such a financial position as this provides you with endless opportunities for not only using your finances but also freeing up your most important asset, your time.


It's simple, don't spend money you don't have.  If you want to spend money, build assets first and then let them finance your expenditure.

Sex, money and fast cars, it's all about the look

My son, give me your heart 
 and let your eyes keep to my ways
Proverbs 23:26

Obesity, alcoholism, sexual promiscuity, consumerism...shall I go on?  Everyday we are bombarded with stuff that seeks to grab our attention and redirect our actions.  The success of advertising demonstrates the ease as to which our decisions are affected by sexual innuendo and the lure of fortune and fame.  Our eyes wander and then the desires of our heart follow.

This proverb instructs us how to live life without giving in to temptation.  A man whose legacy is told thousands of years after his death, King David, demonstrates this lesson.  He was described by God as 'A man after my own heart'  and was made king of a great nation, yet just like every man he struggled with temptation.  He became lazy and self absorbed which led him to be consumed with the desire to sleep with a hot married woman. The consequences being the slaying of her husband and suffrage of much emotional torment.  Probably not really what he was after.

Giving our heart to God and living by his principles is not for the benefit of his ego, rather it provides us with purpose and protection from the unintended consequences of reckless behaviour.

A life well lived, is a life lived with God.

What is understood by a child, yet governs nations?

Train a child in the way he should go, 
 and when he is old he will not turn from it.
Proverbs 22:6

The discussion as to who or what forms us into what we become, nature vs. nurture, has been constant and remains divided.  What role do parents play in this constant cycle of development?  What if you had a less than ideal childhood, are you disadvantaged for the rest of your life?


This verse shows us that even a child can learn and apply the fundamentals of wisdom.  Once understood, they provide a foundation which will serve you well till you are old and grey.  This was a verse that adorned my bedroom door in the form of a poster for many years. It's presence was non-negotiable with my parents, I think they were trying to tell me something.

As society advances, change occurs not in wisdom itself but rather the challenges to which it is applied.

Wisdom. It is never too late to start learning and its learning is never complete.

Not having any success? Here's a quick tip

The plans of the diligent lead to profit 
 as surely as haste leads to poverty.
Proverbs 21:5

For every success story there are numerous stories of failure.  Is there a simple key that can make the difference?  Is success something you actually desire?

I think that achieving success is important, but it's what you define as being successful that is more important.  This proverb tells us that it is those who diligently stick to their plans who succeed.  So you need a plan.  But to plan for something you need a goal to aim for.  First step is to determine what it is you actually want to achieve. I found this definition of success brought it together for me.

              "Success is the progressive realisation of predetermined, worthwhile goals, stabilised with balance and purified with belief"
- Success, The Glenn Bland Method

Now that you have something to aim for take the time to plan your path before you jump into it.  Because 'if you fail to plan, you plan to fail'.  


A worthwhile goal, coupled with intentional planning and executed with diligence will see you achieving the things in life which are important to you.

How to earn respect, it's child's play

Even a child is known by his actions, 
 by whether his conduct is pure and right.
Proverbs 20:11

Talk is cheap.  We live in a society that gives voice to the opinions of many.  The blogging community  itself is another such example.  People strive for approval and social recognition through the words they say and the opinions they push.  Words can be very powerful, but weight is only given when they are delivered through someone whom you respect.

Actions speak louder than words.  You've heard it many times before but the truth of it is again echoed in this proverb.  Even a child who is still forming their own identity and personality, is known by their actions and judged as to whether their conduct is pure and right.  How much more an adult who has the benefit of experience and the understanding that their actions carry far reaching consequences.

It is a person's actions that show the true measure of their character.  It is when you are put under pressure that your character is revealed in how you act and react to the circumstances around you.

Measure your words and align your actions with what you know to be pure and right.

Money, How to harness its potential

Of what use is money in the hand of a fool, 
 since he has no desire to get wisdom?
Proverbs 17:16

Money is understood to be a very powerful force in our modern world.  With it you can divert rivers, build cities, fly to the moon, and even save millions of lives.  But don't be mistaken, money itself is but an inanimate object, a piece of paper (or more commonly a binary bit).  It is the intention behind its use that determines the extent of its impact.

This proverb highlights the point that money is essentially useless in the hands of a fool.  I would take this a step further and say that its use can actually be destructive. When reading these proverbs I find it easy to think that I'm not the fool, of course I'm the good guy in the story.  But we all have the capacity to be both foolish and wise every day.

The clue in this proverb is the lacking desire for wisdom.  When it comes to money, financial intelligence and wisdom in its application is vital.  By understanding how to have money work for you instead of you working for money, you position yourself to be exponentially more effective.  This may translate to philanthropy for all you budding Warren Buffetts out there or more simply freeing yourself from your fortnightly pay-check so that you can make decisions based upon helping others instead of being a slave to the line 'I can't afford it'.

First seek wisdom and knowledge, only then can you be effective in your use of money whether it be in small or large quantities.

The pinnacle of human strength, you don't even have to lift a finger

Better a patient man than a warrior,
 a man who controls his temper than one who takes a city.
Proverbs 16:32

Challenge your concept as to what is really a strong person's response to conflict. 

Warriors are always depicted as the hero in our stories, the picture of a real man.  It seems counter cultural to suggest otherwise.  Yet this proverb proposes that it is the bigger 'man' who walks away from a fight.

The power of this concept was really highlighted to me when teaching the kids from the commission flats to make good life choices.  These kids face serious confrontations everyday, whether it be due to race, religion or even the estate in which they live.  As a kid, the world tells them to fight back and stand up for themselves because no one else will.

When you tell these kids that it takes more strength to keep your mouth shut and walk away because it is only the weak who retaliate, suddenly the game changes.  I have seen a kid fired up ready to start swinging, a worker gets in their face and starts challenging them as to whether they are weak or strong.  The strong person controls their anger and walks away, this becomes the new benchmark that the kids strive for.

The challenge this proverb puts forward is next time you feel yourself getting fired up and you're justifying your anger, remember that it is only a weak person who retaliates.  The strong bite their tongue, just like my mother always told me 'If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all'.

How to find happiness and live longer, the ultimate gift

 A cheerful look brings joy to the heart, 
  and good news gives health to the bones.
Proverbs 15:30







People are searching for happiness in all sorts of places.  Discover the giving of health and happiness and in return you may discover something for yourself. 
reading time: 1.5min


People are spending billions of dollars collectively chasing new ways to feel happiness and live longer.  With this world largely operating upon the understanding that money can buy you what you want, the questions of health and long life require a different approach.


This proverb provides an answer that really gets to the simplicity of the matter.  It comes down to our attitude and outlook on life.  Interestingly, I found that this fundamental principle has also been recognised secularly with researchers finding that optimistic people decreased their risk of early death by 50% compared with those who were more pessimistic (Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn., 2002).


More than this, the proverb highlights our ability to have an effect on those around us by spreading a little bit of joy. I was stuck in the supermarket line last weekend with a 45 min wait to get to the checkout.  The staff were stressed and working well over their knock-off time to clear the back log.  The checkout chick in my line was overwhelmed in trying to calm down the angry mob.  A simple smile and friendly conversation made a noticeable difference and really highlighted the truth of this proverb to me. It may be cliché but it always works.


The lesson is to not get caught up in your own problems, but rather take a moment to brighten someone else's day.  Not only are you giving them the gift of joy and good health, you may find that you feel just a little bit more joyful yourself.

Against what do you weigh your decisions?

A simple man believes anything,
but a prudent man gives thought to his steps.
Proverbs 14:15

Every decision we make is subject to numerous influences. We are living in the information age and have seen the rise of the Internet and popular media with no shortage of information and opinions accessible to us.

Many people fail to understand the impact that skewed 'fact', advertising and biased media coverage can have on the choices we make.

The goal then is to be prudent.  To give proper thought to our decisions, weighing up each alternative.  

The implication is therefore that you will have something to weigh your decisions against.  If we look at the principle of the counter balance scales.  The outcome of determining something's weight is only correct if the measurement weights themselves are accurate.

Therefore we must make sure that our foundation of understanding is strong.  The Bible provides us with Godly wisdom and numerous examples of stories that demonstrate the benefits of adherence and the consequences of rejection of these principles.  It is also important to surround yourself with people whose opinions you respect, enabling you to seek advice and learn from observation.

Lord, help me to be prudent in each step that I take.  Let me grow in wisdom and understanding that I may have a strong foundation from which to draw.  But most importantly, let me trust in you and always bring my decisions before you.