I often think, “if I only had more money…”, but money is not the answer for all we need. If we are not careful we can spend our entire lives chasing riches instead of chasing after what God wants for our lives. Verses 4-5 says, Do not wear yourself out to get rich; have the wisdom to show restraint. Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle. Money has a funny way of disappearing before we are able to spend it on things that matter for eternity. We must deliberately think about spending our resources on what’s important or in the end there is nothing left.

We know verse 17 is true, but it is a good reminder, Pay attention and listen to the sayings of the wise; apply your heart to what I teach. All the wisdom we will ever need is found in the Bible. we just need to read, study, and apply it to ours lives. I know, I know… Much easier said than done, but it’s at least a roadmap for our lives.

Passages in the Bible reminding me to keep silent are great are of great use to me. Verse 28 reminds me that wisdom does not always come from saying the right things; sometimes it’s simply saying nothing at all, Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue.

God wants us to be doers, not talks. Nothing good comes from talking about a good idea until we actually do something. Verse 23 says, All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty. If all we ever do is talk about serving other, no one is ever really helped. It is better to go out and do something, than to wait until it is the perfect plan. There is only one perfect plan and it comes straight from God.

Today, verse 20 in Proverbs 13 that stood out to me, He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm. Surround yourself with wise people so that you may grow wise. I try to surround myself with friends who will help me grow and not lead me into harm. They are not perfect, but their wisdom is extremely is more valuable to me their their perfection.

Right off the bat in verse 1, Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid. Don’t be stupid! Being able to take correction is a form of discipline because it takes a disciplined heart and mind to understand that correction makes us stronger. In verse 15 it is rephrased in softer terms, The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice. Don’t be the smartest guy in the room. I always like to say that if I’m the smartest guy in the room, we are all in big trouble! I always want to surround myself with wise counsel that can help me make wiser decisions than I could have made on my own.