Table Wisdom

Day Sixty

Table Wisdom (Read Proverbs 23:1-5)

"Nearly all people can stand adversity, but if you want to test a person's character, give them power." ~ Abraham Lincoln

Scripture: Proverbs 23:1-5 (NLT)

23 While dining with a ruler,
    pay attention to what is put before you.
² If you are a big eater,
    put a knife to your throat;
³ don't desire all the delicacies,
    for he might be trying to trick you.

⁴ Don't wear yourself out trying to get rich.
    Be wise enough to know when to quit.
⁵ In the blink of an eye wealth disappears,
    for it will sprout wings
    and fly away like an eagle.

Reflection:

Proverbs 23:1-5 offers a powerful lesson on self-control and discernment, particularly when tempted by power, glory, and prestige. The image of dining with a ruler is symbolic—it represents any situation when presented with something desirable yet potentially dangerous. The delicacies on the table aren't just food; they symbolize temptations that can lead us astray if we aren't careful. Testing people to determine their character is a common theme in the Bible and was practiced by God and humans (cf. Genesis 22:1–2; 42–43; Exodus 16:4; Deuteronomy 13:3–4; 2 Chronicles 32:31; John 6:5–6).

The warning to "put a knife to your throat" vividly expresses the need for extreme self-discipline. It urges us to recognize our weaknesses, such as gluttony or greed, and take drastic measures to ensure they don't lead us into sin. In this case, the ruler's table could be a test—a situation designed to reveal whether we can resist temptation or if we will indulge our desires without restraint.

The story goes that Warren Buffet, the world's most famous investor, would invite a potential new hire to dinner. When the food came, if the prospect picked up the salt and pepper to season their food before tasting it, he wouldn't hire them merely because they were closed-minded and too sure of themselves.

"In hiring people, you look for integrity, intelligence, and energy. And if you don't have the first, the other two will kill you. You think about it; it's true. If you hire somebody without [integrity], your new hire may be foolish and lazy." ~ Warren Buffet

We often tend to focus too much on intelligence and too little on integrity.

"I divide my officers into four classes: The clever, the industrious, the lazy, and the stupid. Each officer always possesses two of these qualities.

"Those who are clever and industrious I appoint to the General Staff. Use can be made for those who are stupid and lazy under certain circumstances. The person who is clever and lazy qualifies for the highest leadership posts. They have the requisite nerves and the mental clarity for difficult decisions. But whoever is stupid and industrious must be eliminated, for they are too dangerous." ~ Helmuth von Mioltke the Elder

The passage then shifts to pursuing wealth, cautioning against wearing ourselves out trying to get rich. The allure of wealth is powerful, but it's also fleeting. The imagery of wealth "sprouting wings and flying away like an eagle" reminds us that material riches are temporary and unreliable. Chasing after wealth can consume our lives, but ultimately, it can vanish instantly.

"Get-rich-quick thinking leads to three basic errors:  (1) Getting involved with things you cannot understand; (2) Risking funds you cannot afford to lose, that is, borrowed funds; and (3) Making hasty decisions. Each of these actions violates one or more biblical principles... Together, they constitute a sin called greed." ~ Larry Burkett

This passage calls us to practice wisdom and discernment in all areas of life. We must be vigilant against the temptations that come our way, whether physical, like food, or material, like wealth. True wisdom lies in knowing when to say no and in recognizing that not everything desirable is beneficial. It's about understanding that our worth and fulfillment come not from what we accumulate but from living a life of integrity and self-control, a Jesus-centered life.

Reflection Questions

• What are the areas where the temptation to overindulge or pursue wealth at the expense of your spiritual health exists?
• Where can you exercise greater self-control and wisdom in these areas?
• How do you seek God's guidance when your character is experiencing testing?
• Do you regularly choose the path of integrity over immediate gratification?

Prayer:

Lord, grant us the wisdom to discern the temptations in our lives and the strength to resist them. Help us recognize when we are being tested and rely on Your guidance to make wise choices. May we seek not the fleeting riches of this world but the eternal wealth of a life lived in righteousness and integrity. In Jesus' name, Amen.

May God bless your hearing, understanding, and application of today's wisdom.