Welcome to Wisdom Today with Bill Kelley. Today we will be going over Proverb 26. I will then key in on verse 8 - Like one who binds a stone in a sling Is he who gives honor to a fool. Friends, there are some verses in the Bible that I sometimes pause and ask myself why that verse is in the Bible - and this is one of those verses. Common sense tells me that no one in his right mind would honor a fool (especially for doing something stupid). However, since it is in the Bible there must be the possibility that someone would do that. My advice - only give honor to whom honor is due (see Proverb 3:27). Today we will continue our study on Matthew's gospel. Today we will take a look at Chapter #18. This chapter is conveniently broken into five passages of scripture - but we will only look at three of them.I will begin by reading the first five verses of Chapter #18. My first question is why were the disciples concerned about who would be greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven? This thought goes totally against the lesson that Jesus was attempted to teach his disciples (in that we are to serve one another). Jesus gives a beautiful illustration and tells us that we must humble ourself like a little child to enter into the kingdom. There are five reasons we must have a humble spirit: 1. to enter into the kingdom of heaven; 2. to be great in the kingdom of heaven; 3. to prevent offenses (if you are in pride you will easily be offended by what people do to you); 4. to carry on proper discipline in the church; and 5. for forgiving each other. I will then read verse 6-9. These verses talk about how easily we can become offended. Jesus takes this very seriously (as he tells us that it would be better if we put a huge stone on our feet and killed ourselves than if we create offense to anyone in the kingdom. That is something to ponder. I will close by reading verses 15-20. These verses talk about someone who sins against you. Jesus warns us NOT to go to the teacher, or to our boss, or to our neighbor, and discuss it with them. He tells us to go directly to the person who has hurt us and speak to them about it. Call to Action - Ask yourself honestly - Am I easily offended? If so, pray to God that He help you with that. Friends, we must not allow ourself to be offended by petty things that people do to us. Suggested scripture reading: 1. Reread in its entirety the proverb of the day, Proverb 26. 2. Reread in its entirety the chapter we covered today - Matthew - Chapter 18.
