Proverbs 10:13-14 

¹³Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning, but a rod is for the back of one who has no sense. ¹⁴The wise store up knowledge, but the mouth of a fool invites ruin.

Jack Of All Trades

Many years ago, a child was impressed that townsfolk would come to his father for help. His father proudly claimed of himself to be “Jack of all trades!” When the child heard that, he assumed that to be “Jack of all trades!” could be great accomplishment. So, he tried to follow the footsteps of his father.

After few years, the child has grown up; he decided to live on his own. With confidence that he was also “Jack of all trades,” he applied for a job in the city. During the interview, he was asked about his expertise. He proudly said that he is “Jack of all trades.” So he was given work to do. When payday came, the “Jack of all trades” was surprised that other workers with specific jobs had higher wages. He realized that “Jack of all trades” and master of nothing is just ordinary laborer.

Let’s reflect on what it teaches us in Ecclesiastes 10:10, ¹⁰If the ax is dull and its edge unsharpened, more strength is needed, but skill will bring success.

The business world requires qualifications as it expects projected results. It is not very wise to just employ anyone you know. Employers expect productivity; they employ qualified applicants. Reflect on that. What do you think or expect?

Would the Lord randomly assigns or appoints any believer to spiritual task?

Well, the Lord himself gives qualification to the unqualified believer. How? He gives us spiritual skills. Have you discovered your spiritual skill or spiritual gift, yet? Pray seriously that you may discern and discover your spiritual skill or gift.

1.  Discern

¹³Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning, but a rod is for the back of one who has no sense.

What is this wisdom that the book of Proverbs teaches about? Is it spiritual wisdom or practical wisdom? Whenever it’s not specified, the usual interpretation should include both spiritual and practical. Spiritual wisdom is useful practically.

It’s commonly suggested that wisdom enables us to distinguish constructive ideas from destructive things. Wisdom includes discretion that discerns favorable decisions. It is also practical ability to apply insight appropriately even spiritually in particular situations.  Wisdom is experiential skill as opposed to untested theory.

Together, let us meditate on what it declares in Psalm 37:30: ³⁰The mouths of the righteous utter wisdom, and their tongues speak what is just.

What can you discern when righteousness and wisdom are together? Truly, we need wisdom from the Lord to discern what he wants us to learn from him. Even when we seek advice, we should prayerfully approach experts who can help us. We should not totally rely upon human experts, why? They’re not perfect also.

Concern

Everyone has personal concern: Health, finances, relationship, studies or work. Normally, who do you readily ask for help? Do you ask your friend, family or neighbor to solve your problem? Students: How do you normally find help for your studies? If you problem is about math, you ask help from math teachers or classmates who are good in math, right? If you tell your problem to your best friend who struggles also in Math subject, what can you get? Sympathy? Would sympathy solve Math problem? No! You only sense comfort that you’re not alone.

The Lord Jesus declared that he is the way, the truth and the life. How can we practically apply that reality for personal benefit? We rely upon the Holy Spirit of truth to leads us take practical step. Christ invites us also to find rest in him. How can we practically experience rest in Christ when we struggle with practical problems? We pray that his Holy Spirit to guide us practically decide confidently.

2.  Decide

¹⁴The wise store up knowledge, but the mouth of a fool invites ruin.

The term wise can be interpreted as smart in making appropriate decision and favorable advantage not just at present but also long term benefits or profits. The phrase “store up knowledge” is properly interpreted as “learn new things” and also “accumulate knowledge or hide in the heart and mind like treasure.”

It paints a picture of hoarding knowledge reserved for future purposes. As opposed to no interest at all, to store up knowledge is to study as much you can.

We are challenged to be wise and store up knowledge. So, how should we practically relate that to what Christ had instructed in Matthew 6:19-21? ¹⁹Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. ²⁰But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.  ²¹For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Did Christ discourage investment or accumulating much material wealth?

What did Christ imply when he warned, “Do not to store up treasures on earth?”

The Lord himself blessed King Solomon with wisdom and wealth that no king before him and after him had. But King Solomon was never exemplary in his spiritual life as compared to his father David. The Lord blessed King David with wealth also but David was still very focused on his obedience to the Lord.

Christ encourages that our focus should be preparation for life in eternity but he did not forbid us to prepare for practical necessities. So, how could we store up for ourselves treasures in heaven without disregarding practical needs?

Temple Tax

At one time, a temple tax collector approached Peter in Matthew 17:24-27.

²⁴“Doesn’t your teacher pay the temple tax?” ²⁵ “Yes, he does,” he replied. When Peter came into the house, Jesus was the first to speak. “What do you think, Simon?” he asked. “From whom do the kings of the earth collect duty and taxes—from their own children or from others?” ²⁶“From others,” Peter answered. “Then the children are exempt,” Jesus said to him. ²⁷“But so that we may not cause offense, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours.”

What lesson can we learn from the story? Christ teaches us to pay our tax to the government. When Peter obeyed what Jesus practically told him, the tax problem was solved. Why did Christ tell Peter to go catch fish? Why did he not ask James or John who were also fishermen? Why did he not tell Matthew, a former tax-collector to look for ways to pay their tax, or ask Judas, their treasurer to pay?

Peter was approached by the temple tax collector. And Christ told Peter to catch fish because Peter was expert fisherman. Meaning: The Lord commands us to do activities familiar to us. So, we store up knowledge practical and spiritual when we desire to obey the Lord; we also store up eternal treasure in heaven.

Do you have any expertise? Do not settle up with just being “Jack of all trades!” Do your best to familiarize one or more activities, talents, or passions. At his perfect time, God determines when you are ready to do the task he prepared specifically for you, and you will gladly obey him without hesitation, for sure.

Everyone has difficult concern. Let us learn from King David and seek help, guidance and refuge in the Lord. David prayed in Psalm 31:1, ¹In you, Lord, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame; deliver me in your righteousness.

><((‘> .. ><((‘> … ><(((“> tmec\2023 <“)))>< … <‘))>< .. <‘))><