The Lone Ranger

Reading for Today: Proverb Chapter 18

Gold Nugget

Verse 1-2:  A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire; He rages against all wise judgment. 2 A fool has no delight in understanding, But in expressing his own heart. 

Commentary

Once while working with a team on a project, we had a particular member that preferred to work from his desk instead of remaining in the conference room with the rest of us. He was very skilled at his job and didn't get much resistance from us for his move. As skilled as he was, each of us in the room brought different and valuable insight to our efforts. For several weeks we worked diligently. Us in the conference room and he at his desk. When it came time to merge our work, we found that it was impossible. Early in the project we began to develop and hone the approach to reach our objective. Although we made efforts to pass our discoveries on to him, he didn't stay in tune and benefit from our unity. In the end, although he was very talented, we ended up having lots of rework. He didn't suffer alone. All of us had to work overtime to get the project out on time, due to his mistakes. 

God gives all of us talents but does not give us all talents. Simply said, God gives us each a talent to bring to the table, but we don't each have all the talents. He intended it to be as such. He made sure that I would have something you need and you will have something that I need. If I were self sufficient, then I would have no need of you. He wanted me to need you and you to need me. If you continue to hang out in Proverbs, you will see that the Word tells us that there is wisdom in counsel and strength in numbers. Together we can do more for God than we can alone. If we separate ourselves as mentioned in verse 1, we will begin to see things with one perspective. This can be dangerous and will disable our ability to grow. 

Consider this beautiful passage from 1 Corinthians chapter 12, for now I have trimmed it down.

1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant: 5 There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. 7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: 11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills. 12 For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. 13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body--whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free--and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. 14 For in fact the body is not one member but many. 15 If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I am not of the body," is it therefore not of the body? 16 And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I am not of the body," is it therefore not of the body? 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would be the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where would be the smelling? 18 But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased. 19 And if they were all one member, where would the body be? 20 But now indeed there are many  members, yet one body. 21 And the eye cannot say to the hand, "I have no need of you"; nor again the head to the feet, "I have no need of you." 22 No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary. But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it, 25 that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. 26 And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. 

Also

Hebrews 10:24-25 24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

Prayer

Lord, thank you for reminding me that I need my brother and sisters in Christ. Give me a desire to bond in the unity of the faith. Help me to learn from other members of this body that I am a member of. I want to please you and be a blessing to others. Show me ways to benefit from and minister to others.

Amen

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