Proverbs 1:1-9  The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:  for attaining wisdom and discipline; for understanding words of insight; for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair; for giving prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young--let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance--for understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline. Listen, my son, to your father's instruction and do not forsake your mother's teaching. They will be a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck.

PERSPECTIVES

Pastor Ron Kapalka

            Watching ducks must have a purpose of some sort. One might claim it is a part of renewal, a time of getting in touch with nature. Another might see it as a time to learn their habits before the next hunting season. Still another might wish to believe that communication with ducks is possible.

            Should you be one who believes that you can talk with ducks, let me just say, “Good Luck.” No I am not referring to any language barrier. In my observation of the creatures, I came to the conclusion, that like many people, a duck would never give you the chance to speak. They quack while flying, while floating on the water or sitting still, and they quack while walking. I did not have the opportunity to observe, but I would bet they quack while sleeping. Sleep quacking, not an unreasonable concept after a seeing that ducks comment on the world about them continuously. Yes, I mean that they never shut up.

            I was reminded of a man that I know who is a duck. Well, not literally, but he talks incessantly. There were days that I never even tried to respond. He never stopped to take a breath, never paused in manner that would cause one to believe that he was interested in a response.

            It is easy to look at such behavior and label it as poor social skills. However, I think it reflects many other things. Two of those would include a total disinterest in others and a lack of interest in learning anything new.

            These represent the sin of selfishness and the pitiable condition of complacency in ignorance. This act of selfishness was represented in the fellow mentioned above. All his stories were about himself. His stories were about his pain in life and his dissatisfaction with it.

            The second is represented by a character in Jane Austin’s “Persuasion.” Jane introduces this character in an amusing manner which cannot help but draw to mind those we have all know in our circle of family and friends. I do not recall it all, but it ran in this manner: She was an ignorant woman who was happy in her ignorance. Her mind was a vacuum. Thoughts would come to her about any and everything that crossed her mind and eyes. As a result of the vacuum, the thought would enter her mind and quickly transfer to her lips for she knew nothing to do with it rather than to make a comment about it. She talked always, unaware of it and caring not if others responded.

            Selfishness and ignorance bring our lives to either ruin or stagnation. I was reminded of the value of the Book of Proverbs by another pastor who had recently discovered the treasures there. We tend to dislike this book for it gives all the advice of our parents. He said it is like taking an endless road trip with your mother.

            But there is wisdom there. There is recognition that one way is better than another. It is a book that can teach much about listening rather than talking; a book that upholds the value of learning.

            After all, Solomon wrote for this purpose: “for attaining wisdom and discipline; for understanding words of insight; for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair; for giving prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young--let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance--for understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise.” Take time to read it, you may find a saying or two to stub your toe on. There is healing when we recognize our true needs.

Reflect

1. Observe your conversations during the day. Can you reflect upon them with peace?  Have your used any of those words to praise God?
2. Are there words that you would take back? Do you often find your foot in your mouth? Make an effort to speak words of encouragement and fewer words of criticism.

James 2:14-20  What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that--and shudder. You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless ?

PERSPECTIVES

Pastor Ron Kapalka

Recent polling data indicates that most people believe in God. An interest in the spiritual is also on the rise in our country. This would seem to be good news for the church.  However, the next question that should be asked is, “What do you believe about God?”

It is the things that we believe about God that shape our lives.  The simple belief that there is a God will not likely influence any decision that we make. However, beliefs about how God views us, whether the belief is true or false, will determine how we act.

            The apostle James wrote “You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that--and shudder.” There’s great wisdom here for us.  First, James is pointing out that having a belief in God is not unique or important within itself.  As he said, “Even the demons believe that!”  Secondly, he reminds us that the demons not only believe in God, they shutter with that knowledge.

In the context of his letter, he is telling us that our faith in God ought to lead to actions.  Those actions, of course, will reflect what we believe about God.  And therefore it is important that we grow in knowledge of who God is and what God expects of us.

An example might be seen in current life. We’re living in a time when there seems to be a lack of simple morality and ethics in life. I have previously written about the ethical problems in the business world.  The lack of ethics in that community has been appalling.

Many, if not most, of these executives could be described as men and women who believe in God.  But it is also clear that the same men and women do not care for or respect the people who work for them.  Our God clearly would be opposed to the greed which has hurt so many people.

We would also call these men and women educated people.  However, it would appear that their education was lacking.  They had not been taught how to treat their fellow human beings as people of worth.

This is not anything new.  G. K. Chesterton, a philosopher, theologian, poet and satirist, once wrote about the result of a typical business education:  “He has never been taught to think, but only to count.  He lives in the cold temple of abstract calculation, of which the pillars are columns of figures.  But he has no basic sense of Comparative Religion. . . by which he may discover whether he is in the right temple, or distinguish one temple from another. . . Anyhow, that is what is the matter with Business Education; that it narrows the mind; whereas about whole object of education is to broaden the mind; and especially to broaden it so as to enable it to criticize and condemn such narrowness.”

While that may seem to be harsh, it also sounds out quite clearly what happens to us when we concentrate our education only on technical matters, and neglect the spiritual matters.  If we assume only that making money matters, then we will be led to the altar of selfishness, conceit, and greed.

Such a person may believe in God but only worship the material world.  If we train our young people in such a mindset, we must not been be angry with them when they practice what we have preached.

We say that we believe in God.  Let us be careful of that, for even the demons believe in God and they shudder.  If our belief in God cannot protect us from the worldly temples of greed and self, perhaps we also should shudder in the presence of God. 

Reflect

1. Do you believe in God? Do others know that by your actions?
2. Do you believe in good works? This is a classic dividing point among many denominations. Some fear that people believe that good works must be done for salvation, others recognize faith alone. Consider the third way of James, which incorporates them both.