Daily Devotional
               Betty Miller shares her daily devotionals which are based on the book of Proverbs in the Bible.   

  The Wisdom of God

Verses for the Day:

Proverbs 18:23-24(KJV):
23 The poor useth entreaties; but the rich answereth roughly.
24 A man that hath friends must show himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

Proverbs 18:23-24(Amp):
23 The poor use entreaties, but the rich answer roughly.
24 The man of many friends (a friend to all the world) will prove himself a bad friend, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Thoughts for the Day:

Proverbs addresses many relationship issues, among these: how the poor approach things, versus those who are rich.  It also deals with true friendship. Verse 23 states that when a poor man wants something from someone, he entreats the person in a nice way to get it.  The dictionary meaning of entreat means means to ask earnestly, beg, beseech, appeal or plead. A poor man must approach his benefactor in a pleasant way if he intends to receive something.  If he were to demand or raise his voice he would stand a chance of being denied.  However, the rich person who has money or power, sometimes thinks he can answer roughly or unkindly, as he feels he can get away with an unpleasant attitude because of his position.  We have all seen people like this in the world.  As Christians, we are in the world, but not of the world, as we are called to a higher way.

John 17:14-17:
14 I (Jesus) have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.
16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

Our lesson, as Christians, is to remember to be kind at all times whether we are rich or poor, as God calls us to this virtue. Today, we find so many people who are rude and impatient if they have to wait for something; or if they feel they are not treated properly, they want to raise their voice in anger. Verse 23 in Proverbs says that the rich answers roughly. If we have been promoted by the Lord and have a position of influence or He has given us wealth, we must remember not to answer those around us roughly.  We are to remain humble no matter what our position in this life is because we are children of God.

In our study, verse 24 talks about a man who is friendly with the whole world and therefore he will not make a good friend.  Why is this?  There is an old adage that says, " If a man does not stand for something, he will fall for everything."  This applies to a man who makes friends with everyone. If he has multiplied friends, he cannot be a good friend to one person. We are told in the Bible to choose our friends carefully, as they will influence our life.  Certainly we are to be kind to all people; however, we should not be friends with all. Wicked people make bad friends. People who worship other gods are also not the kind of friend we should choose.   

Deuteronomy 13:6-8:
8 If thy brother, the son of thy mother, or thy son, or thy daughter, or the wife of thy bosom, or thy friend, which is as thine own soul, entice thee secretly, saying, Let us go and serve other gods, which thou hast not known, thou, nor thy fathers;
7 Namely, of the gods of the people which are round about you, nigh unto thee, or far off from thee, from the one end of the earth even unto the other end of the earth;
8 Thou shalt not consent unto him, nor hearken unto him; neither shall thine eye pity him, neither shalt thou spare, neither shalt thou conceal him:

These verses reveal that family and friends are in a place to entice us to follow their way.  Notice the verse above says that family and friends are as close as our own soul.  This is why a man cannot make friends with the whole world.   If he does, he will not be a good friend to one person because his loyalties will be too divided. However, Proverbs 18:24 does mention a friend that sticks closer than a brother. This kind of friend is found in Jesus.  In fact, he is a friend and brother who never fails us.  He will always be there for us.  This kind of friendship can also be found in a Christian brother or sister. God can leads us to friends who will truly be friends to us, and we can be assured He will always be a friend to us. The Bible says He will never leave us or forsake us.

Hebrews 13:5b: ".... for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee."

Prayer for the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father, I am thankful for Your love and friendship.  Truly, you are that friend that sticks closer than a brother.  You are always there for us.  Father, help me to be a good friend to those whom You have joined me with in friendship.  I always want to be a loving, kind and faithful friend. I need Your kind of love to do this. Fill me with Your Spirit today so that I will be a blessing to all that I meet.  Lord, may I not answer people in a rough manner. Help me to always be kind and patient in my dealings with people everywhere as a witness of Your love.  Also, Lord, thank you for all the wonderful friends You have given me.  Bless each of them today.  I ask this in the name of Jesus. Amen.