Daily Devotional for Wednesday, March 26

Wicked Words of the Young Men

   “And the young men that were brought up with him spake unto him, saying…thus shalt thou say unto them, My little finger shall be thicker than my father’s loins. For whereas my father put a heavy yoke upon you, I will put more to your yoke: my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions,” 2 Chronicles 10:10, 11.

Jack owned a lumber company. He started it after high school when he inherited some woodlands from his uncle. His business grew, and he bought more land. Jack worked hard and expected his men to work hard as well. He was good to his employees, and they respected him, but they had to toe the line.

Jack’s health failed, and he passed the business on to his son, Allen. Allen had not spent much time around the business, so when it came time to manage it and make decisions on his own, he quickly realized he needed help. He asked some of the older long-term employees for advice. They suggested adjusting the 6-day work week. All employees would work Monday through Friday, and every other Saturday. The business was strong financially and could handle half production on Saturdays. Employees could enjoy a six-day weekend every other week, be more refreshed the following Monday morning, and general morale would be boosted.

As Allen considered their proposal, some friends from college swung by. He shared the employees’ suggestions and asked their opinion. The friends mocked the old men and convinced Allen to not only keep the six-day work week but make Sundays the rotated day off. Why let off the gas so early in life? Allen liked their idea and went out to gather his employees for a meeting.

Rehoboam was inexperienced as his father, Solomon, once was. However, David prepared and prayed for Solomon and commissioned good people to help him. We have no record of Solomon doing the same for his son. Surrounding ourselves with wise counsel is important, but listening to and heeding the counsel is paramount.

THOUGHT

“A man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels” (Proverbs 1:5).

Kelli Reynolds