“…worthless fellows gathered themselves about Jephthah, and they went out with him.” (Judges 11:3 NASB)
Maybe you should take a look around you today and see who is gathered around you. Unconverted and worthless are not the same. Unconverted people are those who are responding to the gospel… worthless people are arrogant, stiff-necked and dangerous to your well being.
this poses two thoughts…
- who has gathered themselves around you?
- are you with these ‘worthless’ fellows while doing the work of God.
these thoughts require careful attention…
- give attention to who is gathered around you. This type of worthlessness is not around you because they want your goodness to rub off on them. They are around you because they see they can drag you in with them.
- if, while you are doing the work of God, you take them with you, they will be a hindrance and distraction to your completing the work God has for you today. If you take them with you it actually shows a lack of spiritual discernment.
1 The wise woman builds her house,
But the foolish tears it down with her own hands.
2 He who walks in his uprightness fears the LORD,
But he who is devious in his ways despises Him.
3 In the mouth of the foolish is a rod for his back,
But the lips of the wise will protect them.
4 Where no oxen are, the manger is clean,
But much revenue comes by the strength of the ox.
5 A trustworthy witness will not lie,
But a false witness utters lies.
6 A scoffer seeks wisdom and finds none,
But knowledge is easy to one who has understanding.
7 Leave the presence of a fool,
Or you will not discern words of knowledge.
8 The wisdom of the sensible is to understand his way,
But the foolishness of fools is deceit.
9 Fools mock at sin ,
But among the upright there is good will.
10 The heart knows its own bitterness,
And a stranger does not share its joy.
11 The house of the wicked will be destroyed,
But the tent of the upright will flourish.
12 There is a way which seems right to a man,
But its end is the way of death.
13 Even in laughter the heart may be in pain,
And the end of joy may be grief.
14 The backslider in heart will have his fill of his own ways,
But a good man will be satisfied with his.
15 The naive believes everything,
But the sensible man considers his steps.
16 A wise man is cautious and turns away from evil,
But a fool is arrogant and careless.
17 A quick-tempered man acts foolishly,
And a man of evil devices is hated.
18 The naive inherit foolishness,
But the sensible are crowned with knowledge.
19 The evil will bow down before the good,
And the wicked at the gates of the righteous.
20 The poor is hated even by his neighbor,
But those who love the rich are many.
21 He who despises his neighbor sins,
But happy is he who is gracious to the poor .
22 Will they not go astray who devise evil?
But kindness and truth will be to those who devise good.
23 In all labor there is profit,
But mere talk leads only to poverty.
24 The crown of the wise is their riches,