Day 460: True value - Proverbs 20 vs 14 - 18
14 “It’s worthless, it’s worthless!” the buyer says, but after he is on his way, he gloats.
15 There is gold and a multitude of jewels, but knowledgeable lips are a rare treasure.
16 Take his garment, for he has put up security for a stranger; get collateral if it is for foreigners.
17 Food gained by fraud is sweet to a person, but afterward his mouth is full of gravel.
18 Finalize plans with counsel, and wage war with sound guidance. Proverbs 20:14-18 Christian Standard Bible
Who doesn't like a bargain! That's what vs 14 appears to be saying. Someone haggles over the price of an article and points out it's flaws, but rejoices like mad when the seller drops the price. And then there's a TV program in the UK of people who take something they bought at a charity shop or car boot sale, or which may’ve been in their attic for years, to be evaluated by auctioneers, who are then amazed to hear it's worth far more than they ever imagined. One of life's truths is that the real value of something may not always be obvious. Can you see that in vs 15?
While everyone easily sees value in things like gold and precious jewels and go out of their way to get such things, not many realize the value of words that have life changing knowledge. The writer describes such words as 'a rare treasure'. So too, in vs 18, he shows how even kings facing a strategic battle benefit from those who can give wise advice and guidance. Surely one of life's most precious things is to have a friend who speaks with knowledge, wisdom and truth. Such a friend is worth their weight in gold. The good news is that if we don't have a friend like that in the world, we do have such a friend in heaven. When Jesus was on earth we're told that people “were amazed at the gracious words that came from His lips.” (Luke 4:22) And the disciple Peter said to Him: “Lord, you have the words of eternal life.” (John 6:68)
One example of wise advice is seen in vs 16. If a poor person in those days gave their warm coat as security for money they had borrowed, the Old Testament urged the one who lent the money to let the poor person have the coat at night to keep warm. But it also warns that “whoever puts up security for a stranger will surely suffer.” (Proverbs 11:15) To give loans to total strangers is not wise.
Verse 17 is another example of the real value of something not always being obvious – but, in this case, it is the reverse. The writer uses the example of food, but the lesson can be applied to anything that is gained through deception. When people deceive others and get something valuable from them they also gloat and think they are the winners. But what does the verse say the end result will be?
It will be bitter. That usually doesn't happen immediately. Dishonest people sometimes live to a good old age and the law may never catch up with them. But at other times it does and they have to face consequences. But even those who escape may still have a long illness before they die, and their consciences may begin to bring to memory the harm they did and the hurts they caused. And then there's also what we read in Revelation 22:14-15. It says: “Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city. Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.”
Some things in the world and some ways of living might look of great value on the outside, but ultimately turn out to be worthless. And there are things which many people don't see as valuable at all – things such as friends who speak with truthful wisdom - and such as that old dusty Bible in the Bookcase. May God help us to set our heart on what is truly valuable in His sight, and make us to be those whose lips speak with the knowledge that comes from His word.