Day 698: Making provision - Proverbs 27 vs 23 -27
23-24 Know well the condition of your flocks, and give attention to your herds, for riches do not last for ever; and does a crown endure to all generations? 25-27 When the grass is gone and the new growth appears and the vegetation of the mountains is gathered, the lambs will provide your clothing, and the goats the price of a field. There will be enough goats' milk for your food, for the food of your household and maintenance for your girls. Proverbs 27:19-27 English Standard Version
People in those in days were likely more familiar with flocks of sheep than those of us living in big cities today. But the advice he gives can apply to other livelihoods too. What was his reason for ‘knowing well the condition of one's flock’? (vs 23-24)
Because there's no guarantee that riches will always be there. Even kingdoms and empires don't last forever. Famines or diseases can destroy a flock, stock markets can crash, wars can leave a country in ruins. No wonder the apostle Paul urged pastor Timothy to “instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be arrogant or to set their hope on the uncertainty of wealth, but on God, who richly provides us with all things to enjoy.“ (1 Timothy 6:17)
What is the better hope that those who have been responsible in business and life will have when tough days come along? (vs 25-27)
In the case of flock owners they will still have clothing and food for their families. In the case of people today who've been wise in business, and who've not wasted profits on extravagant lifestyles, they will probably have some savings left to look after their families and get through difficult times. So while the Bible has much to teach about our relationship to God and our eternal destiny, it also gives wise advice on practical issues for living in a world with many uncertainties. In fact, it goes further. It tells us that we have a responsibility to make provision for our loved ones.
For example, 1 Timothy 4 vs 5 & 8 say: “If a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show godliness to their own household and to make some return to their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God”, and, “if anyone doesn't provide for his relatives, especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” To have the means to take care of loved ones involves being diligent and responsible, whether as a business owner, or as an employee. It's like the man who takes care to know the condition of his flocks.
Today's verses brought to my mind something Paul said as he was urging Christians at Corinth to be willing to share with those who ministered the gospel among them. He wrote: “Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard without eating any of its fruit? Or who tends a flock without getting some of the milk? It's written in the Law of Moses, 'You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain.' Is it for oxen that God is concerned? Does he not speak entirely for our sake? It was written for our sake, because the ploughman should plough in hope and the thresher thresh in hope of sharing in the crop.” (1 Corinthians 9:7-10)
My thought here is that any good principles for practical issues in life (such as knowing well the state of your flocks) can often apply also to the state of our soul, and to serving the Lord. Paul did that in 1 Corinthians. So just as we take care of our daily physical needs and try to provide for the future, we ought also to take care in spiritual matters. This is true for all of us, but very true for those called as shepherds to God's flock. The encouragement for all Christians, however, is that we have a Shepherd who knows well the condition of His flock. In John 10 Jesus spoke of the difference between a good shepherd and a hired hand. And in vs 27-28 He said: “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand”.