Proverbs 11:14-15 It Takes Two
In these two short proverbs Solomon speaks of situations where it takes two or more to complete. Wisdom in seeking counsel and in restraining interactions.
I’m still trying to figure out good breaking points for this chapter. Forgive me if I don’t do it how you would. I chose these two verses to stand together because the actions in them require at least two people to complete. The ones that follow speak more of a single person’s inner character and life.
Even with all his God given wisdom, Solomon still knew the wisdom of asking for counsel. He listened to what others, whom he trusted, had to say about whatever issue he was facing. Rehoboam learned the hard way about listening to the wrong counsel. He had abundant counsel available from those who had served his father but he chose his friends instead.
I think the biggest difference between these two men and their counsel is that Solomon most likely chose his counselors for their proven wisdom in their own lives and positions. Rehoboam chose his counselors from his friends. His friends had no more experience running a kingdom than he did. But this too, God ordained. For He was punishing the nation for Solomon’s sins. Or better yet, the sins that he led them into and they gladly participated in.
When seeking counsel it is important to look at the character of the ones you are trusting. A valuable counselor has proven himself/herself first in the conduct of their own lives. The FIRST piece of that is where they are receiving their counsel. Is it from God? Are they first following His principles in their daily life? Do they have a relationship with Him that is obvious in their conduct? If not, RUN the other way!
Just because someone claims to be a child of God doesn’t mean they are. Only God knows the heart though. “On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you evildoers” (Matthew 7:21-23). Trust Him to lead you in this area. Even if the counselor looks good on the outside, let the Spirit guide you in what to do with their counsel.
This leads us into the second verse for today. Putting up security for a stranger. Never vouch for someone’s character that you have no firsthand knowledge of. Even the good Samaritan didn’t vouch for the character of the man he helped. He did NOT tell the inn keeper that the man would pay him whatever remained of the bill once he recovered. He promised to do it himself. I don’t know if the inn keeper knew the Samaritan or not, but he trusted him to keep his word. We are not told if he left the inn keeper with some kind of token to find him by but he left enough money for care, food, and lodging. And he promised to return to settle up.
There are MANY opportunities to help a stranger and we should avail ourselves of as many of them as the Lord leads us to. But this is different than “putting up security” for another. There are also opportunities of “putting up security” for those you know. Solomon doesn’t call someone a fool who trust in his proven friends and family to do what they promise. In today’s society this is called co-signing. NEVER co-sign with someone you already have doubts about their character and sense of responsibility. You will most likely end up taking on their debt if you do. I have a family member who I will NOT co-sign for on anything because she has not been faithful in repaying any of the obligations she has made to me. I would be hesitant to do so even with some of my children. Bottom line, NEVER “put up security”/co-sign with someone if YOU are not willing and able to assume the debt yourself. This is where the man who “hates striking hands in pledge” is safer.
If you exercise GREAT caution when entering into ANY binding transaction you are much safer. I would even go so far as to say that this applies to vouching for someone else’s character as a worker or employer.
I have an ‘employer’ who I do minimal work for who has asked for more time and recommendations for others to be in his employee. I will NOT provide them because of my own experiences with this person. He does not faithfully pay his employees. When I worked for him full time as his bookkeeper there were many times when payday came around and I was instructed to tell the workers that he couldn’t pay them this week, but would make it up next week. I usually found a way around this for the sake of the workers but after I left, he kept doing this for several months to those who had no other option than to keep working for him. As he is a friend of my husband, he has tried to send others to work for him and I cautioned them out of his hearing.
I have also experienced the problem from the other side when someone recommends an ‘employee’/handyman to me. Some of the experiences turned out great while others resulted in me having to ‘fire’ the person. I do NOT enjoy firing someone! But neither do I enjoy working with a person who is unreliable and does a poor job on my dime.
In ALL things let the Holy Spirit guide your actions. He knows the heart of God and God knows the hearts of men. Let Him tell you which ones to trust and which to run away from.
Father God, thank You for Your Holy Spirit who guides me in SO MANY ways. I confess right now that I don’t always listen and for that I ask Your forgiveness. He has kept me out of more trouble than I can count. He has also walked me into more blessings than I ever thought possible. Certainly more than I deserve! Help me listen to His counsel on choosing those to counsel me. Help me know who to trust and who to walk away from BEFORE I get myself into trouble.
Thank You for bringing two new people into my life recently, even though they are limited encounters. Both encounters blessed me tremendously. One in showing me that, even when I fall, You STILL love me, hear my prayers AND can use me for Your purposes. Bless my two new friends father for I do count them both now as friends. Thank You for arranging our meetings.
