Fool’s Gold - theStorytheStory

Read

16If you have good sense,

you will act sensibly,

but fools act like fools.

17Whoever delivers your message

can make things better

or worse for you.

18All who refuse correction

will be poor and disgraced;

all who accept correction

will be praised.

19It's a good feeling

to get what you want,

but only a stupid fool

hates to turn from evil.

20 Wise friends make you wise,

but you hurt yourself

by going around with fools.

21You are in for trouble

if you sin,

but you will be rewarded

if you live right.

22If you obey God,

you will have something

to leave your grandchildren.

If you don't obey God,

those who live right

will get what you leave.

23Even when the land of the poor

produces good crops,

they get cheated

out of what they grow.

24If you love your children,

you will correct them;

if you don't love them,

you won't correct them.

25If you live right,

you will have plenty to eat;

if you don't live right,

you will go away empty.

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Reflect

A mineral called pyrite is described as “fool’s gold” because it has a superficial resemblance to the shine and appearance of real gold. In the 17^th century pyrite was used as a source of ignition in early firearms. Today, gold is enjoying its highest value. We are like the mineral “pyrite”, igniting our life with disappointment and pain, if we are fool enough to believe that:

We can ignore criticism. The fact is, if we accept criticism we will become wise and win favour (v 18).
Hanging around with the wrong crowd won’t influence our character. You and your friends will grow to resemble each other. Be wise and walk with honourable companions (v 20).
We can live sinful lives and get away with it. The truth is “Misfortune pursues the sinner, but prosperity is the reward of the righteous” (v 21).
We don’t need to discipline our children. The greatest responsibility God gives parents is to nurture and guide their children. Without correction, children grow up without clear understanding of right and wrong (v.24).

When our hearts are burning with passion, we may become blinded and lose our ability to assess our desires. Beware of the shiny and superficial lures of this world that will eventually leave us feeling empty and jaded. If we want to experience and enjoy this life to its fullest value, we need to ask God to help us discern the difference between our foolish quests and wise choices.

Respond

Dear Father God

Thank you God that you give us such a beautiful world to enjoy. You place high value on all your children and I believe you have a fulfilling and joyful pathway for all of us to follow. I ask you to help me make wise choices to walk through this bountiful life step by step. Make me willing to obey you. Thank you. Amen

Heidi McLaughlin

For over two decades Heidi has helped people find fulfillment in life through embracing God’s truth. She does this through writing and teaching the Bible, mentoring and speaking at Conferences and Retreats all across North America. Heidi has been twice widowed and has a family of 5 children and 12 grandchildren. When she is not writing or speaking she loves to golf, laugh or share a cup of coffee with her family and friends. Publications: Sand To Pearls: Making Bold Choices to Enrich your Life; Beauty Unleashed: Transforming a Woman’s Soul; Restless for More: Finding Fulfillment in Unexpected Places; Looking Back and Enjoying The View; Your Home, An Entry Into a Woman’s Heart Anthologies: Second Cup of Hot Apple Cider; A Taste of Hot Apple Cider, Apple Cider and Cinnamon, Chicken Soup for the Soul: "O Canada"; Sunshine Kisses for Grandmas, , The Joy of Less

wisdom, deception @en, lure