Proverbs 12:9-12 — Take Care (fr)

READ THIS: Proverbs 12:9-12

9 Better to be a nobody and yet have a servant than pretend to be somebody and have no food. 10 The righteous care for the needs of their animals, but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel. 11 Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies have no sense. 12 The wicked desire the stronghold of evildoers, but the root of the righteous endures.

WHAT’S THIS MEAN, ANYWAY?

Be authentic. Be caring. Be authentically caring. 

That's the message I see in these verses. Let's re-read those verses with that lens:

9 (authenticity) Don't pretend to be somebody you're not because it doesn't actually give you anything more than what you have. 10 (authentically caring) People should be caring overall, from caring about other people to caring about even animals. But, that care has be real otherwise it's not true kindness. Wicked people can do things that look kind, but they probably have other intentions. Righteous people actually just care so they act. 11 (caring) Sometimes when we think of caring we just think of the emotional aspect of it, but caring should lead to action. If we care about what's been given to us, then we will put that emotion into action be taking care of it. Back in the day, taking care of land was a major way to actively care for something. But, we do need to make sure that we are caring for the right things, otherwise we will end up wasting our actions doing something that doesn't produce fruit. 12 (authentically caring) Taking a deep dive into what we truly desire can help us see what we are rooted in and what we are reaching for. If we desire others' things and things for ourselves, then it's a good indicator we aren't rooted in Jesus all the way and that leads to destruction. If we desire to honor God and seek righteousness, then we are rooted in Jesus fully and that leads to eternal life. 

THINK ABOUT IT:

1. When is a time that you were truly authentic even when you wanted to pretend to be someone you weren't? What helped you be authentic?

2. When is a time when you cared well for something/someone? When is a time that you didn't care well for someone/something? What was the difference between those two scenarios (in other words, why were you able to care well in the first question versus why were you not able to care well in the second question?)
 
TRY THIS:

Picture someone that you care about deeply who you will see today/tomorrow. Got the person? Perfect! Now plan a way to ACTUALLY take care of them today in some way! 

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