Proverbs 17:16-17

¹⁶Why should fools have money in hand to buy wisdom, when they are not able to understand it? ¹⁷A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.

Diploma Mills

         Have you heard of the term Diploma mills? One can buy diploma with no actual studies from diploma mills. Someone with incomplete college education bought a diploma and used it to apply for a particular job. Indeed, the man got employed. Actually, he’s talented for the job, and his employer didn’t even verify the authenticity of his diploma, if it’s genuine or fake.

         For several years, the person enjoyed great benefits from his job. But then, he coveted the company’s transport vehicle as his own. Sadly, the same vehicle malfunctioned and had car accident that led to his death.

         Reflect on what it warns in Psalm 1:6, ⁶For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.

         Forging diploma just to get a desired job is not very smart at all. It is criminal offense to falsify documents with fake information. To gain financial or legal advantage with counterfeit papers can be disastrous gain. People caught forging documents are not supposed to expect favorable sentence. And it is not some kind of funny experience to be charged in court.

         Foolish people had been caught and charged with bogus documents. Yet many fools still think that it favors them to buy forged diploma. It is wise to choose legally lawful means, but fools prefer illegal and unlawful means.

1.  Fool

           ¹⁶Why should fools have money in hand to buy wisdom, when they are not able to understand it?

         Truly, there are talented people who became rich. Smart people with money are worthy to learn from. Not all people with money have acquired great wisdom. How’s that? Maybe, their wealth was inherited from their parents. They have much money but may not necessarily smart. Reckless people spend time and money prodigally. They are foolish and not smart.

Jeproks

         Have you ever heard of the Pinoy lingo “Jeproks?” It was popularized by rock singer Mike Hanopol in the song “Laki sa Layaw.” Spoiled brat Jeproks lived in luxury. They indulged in pleasure but never been satisfied. Accordingly, “Jeproks” is a reversal of word “projects,” which refers to the government’s housing projects in Quezon City, Phils. (Projects 2, 3, 4, etc.)

         In the ’60s, Jeproks lived in those government’s housing projects. “Jeproks” had bad vices. They were disturbances in the community. They were lazy and most often, confined in prison. What can parents do with “Jeproks” children? Will they listen to the preaching of God’s word?

         Let’s reflect on Psalm 14:1-3, ¹The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good. ²The Lord looks down from heaven on all mankind to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God. ³All have turned away, all have become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one.

         Anyone who rejects God is fool. Anyone who disobeys God is fool. We make a fool of ourselves when we disobey and rebel against God. We become fools when we do things that are not acceptable to God. We can only obey God when the Holy Spirit fills us with wisdom and revelation.

         Yet from time to time, foolishness could manipulate even Christians. Our priorities can practically prove it, if we have been wise or fools. If God is our priority, how should we behave? Students sacrifice time and effort to study hard, why? They hope to be employed in a better paid job one day.

         If they have good paying job, they can use that as practical proof of their trust in God. Seriously together, let us reflect on what it narrated in Ecclesiastes 9:14-16, ¹⁴There was once a small city with only a few people in it. And a powerful king came against it, surrounded it and built huge siege works against it. ¹⁵Now there lived in that city a man poor but wise, and he saved the city by his wisdom. But nobody remembered that poor man. ¹⁶So I said, “Wisdom is better than strength.” But the poor man’s wisdom is despised, and his words are no longer heeded.

         Wisdom is manifested in practical skill. Have you ever said, “They don’t listen to me because I had no money”? This is very true in politics. Voters listen to politicians who have money and accomplishments. Have your friends ever ignored you because you have much money?

2.  Friend

     ¹⁷A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.

         Do you choose your friends according to your social status? Friends value us as friend and not what we can give them. Friends help us when we are in need. Gifts to friends should be expressions of care not to bribe their friendship. But still, wealth and social status may attract many friends.

        But genuine friends will stay by our side during adversity and struggle.

Ittai the Gittite

         King David instructed his loyal officials to flee and immediately leave Jerusalem when his son Absalom rebelled. Together, let’s reflect and learn on what it narrated in 2 Samuel 15:19-22, ¹⁹King David said to Ittai the Gittite, “Why should you come along with us? Go back and stay with King Absalom. You are a foreigner, an exile from your homeland. ²⁰You came only yesterday. And today shall I make you wander about with us, when I do not know where I am going? Go back, and take your people with you. May the Lord show you kindness and faithfulness.” ²¹But Ittai replied to the king, “As surely as the Lord lives, and as my lord the king lives, wherever my lord the king may be, whether it means life or death, there will your servant be.” ²²David said to Ittai, “Go ahead, march on.” So Ittai the Gittite marched on with all his men and the families that were with him.

         Interesting! Absalom was a son of King David. He should have great privileges being a kingdom prince, yet he schemed against his father. The saying, “Blood is thicker than water,” was not really applicable to Absalom.

         In contrast, Ittai the Gittite was a foreigner from the Philistine city of Gath. When King Saul schemed to kill David, David escaped and sought refuge in Gath. That may have been the time when David and Ittai build their friendship. Gath was the same city where the giant Goliath came from.

         Maybe, Ittai was a relative of Goliath. Remarkable, he was very loyal to David. Did Ittai hear about the story of Ruth the great grandmother of David? Reflect on what it narrated in Ruth 1:16-17, ¹⁶Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. ¹⁷Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if even death separates you and me.”

         Naomi was an old Israelite widow, and her sons died in Moab. When Naomi decided to return to Israel, she told her Moabite daughters-in-law to return to their families. But, Ruth preferred to be with the old widow Naomi.

         Naomi was an Israelite. Ruth was a Moabite. Yet, at that time when Naomi in her old age needed help the most, Ruth’s devotion to Naomi her mother-in-law was practically exemplified. Ruth sincerely cared for Naomi, and the Lord blessed her. Eventually, Ruth was admired in all generations.

         Adversity is instrumental for God to reveal sincere loyalty of friends. We understand that but may we internalize and apply it personally. Amen!

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