Lead yourself. As you read through most leadership books, you will find an emphasis on the importance of a leading yourself first and foremost, before you can lead any one else. Read Proverbs 25. Dealing with Authority – Proverbs 25:1-10 These also are proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah, king of Judah, transcribed. It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, But the glory of kings is to search out a matter. As the heavens for height and the earth for depth, So the heart of kings is unsearchable. Take away the dross from the silver, And there comes out a vessel for the smith; Take…

What do you learn from wisdom and foolishness? Read Proverbs 24. The Characteristics of Wisdom – Proverbs 24:1-9 Do not be envious of evil men, Nor desire to be with them; For their minds devise violence, And their lips talk of trouble. By wisdom a house is built, And by understanding it is established; And by knowledge the rooms are filled With all precious and pleasant riches. A wise man is strong, And a man of knowledge increases power. For by wise guidance you will wage war, And in abundance of counselors there is victory. Wisdom is too exalted for a fool, He does not open his mouth in the…

I wish… If only… It’s not fair that… All of these phrases have in common a lack of contentment with the current state of things. What are we desiring? Does it line up with Christ? Read Proverbs 23. Desire for wealth – Proverbs 23:1-11 When you sit down to dine with a ruler, Consider carefully what is before you, And put a knife to your throat If you are a man of great appetite. Do not desire his delicacies, For it is deceptive food. Do not weary yourself to gain wealth, Cease from your consideration of it. When you set your eyes on it, it is gone. For wealth certainly…

Reputation and integrity. What is the impression that others have of us? How are we known among the people we associate with? It will be based on our actions. Read Proverbs 22:1-29. The Actions of Integrity – Proverbs 22:1-29 A good name is to be more desired than great wealth, Favor is better than silver and gold. The rich and the poor have a common bond, The Lord is the maker of them all. The prudent sees the evil and hides himself, But the naive go on, and are punished for it. The reward of humility and the fear of the Lord Are riches, honor and life. Thorns and snares…

Alcohol, money, power, relationships… all of these will be different depending on whether someone is wise or foolish in how the use these things. Read Proverbs 21. Contrast of Wisdom and Foolishness – Proverbs 21 Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, And whoever is intoxicated by it is not wise. The terror of a king is like the growling of a lion; He who provokes him to anger forfeits his own life. Keeping away from strife is an honor for a man, But any fool will quarrel. The sluggard does not plow after the autumn, So he begs during the harvest and has nothing. A plan in the…

Sleep well. My mother would tell me that and I tell my kids that. However, how we go about life during the day will determine whether we are able to sleep well. Read Proverbs 20. Keys for Life – Proverbs 20:1-29 Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity Than he who is perverse in speech and is a fool. Also it is not good for a person to be without knowledge, And he who hurries his footsteps errs. The foolishness of man ruins his way, And his heart rages against the Lord . Wealth adds many friends, But a poor man is separated from his friend. A…

Words. How we use words reveals a great deal about us and our wisdom, or lack thereof. Read Proverbs 18. A Fool and His Words – Proverbs 18:1-13 He who separates himself seeks his own desire, He quarrels against all sound wisdom. A fool does not delight in understanding, But only in revealing his own mind. When a wicked man comes, contempt also comes, And with dishonor comes scorn. The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; The fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook. To show partiality to the wicked is not good, Nor to thrust aside the righteous in judgment. A fool’s lips bring strife, And his…

It’s not about what you have, it’s about how you act. Your actions are the telling signs of whether or not you have wisdom. Read Proverbs 17. Actions of the Wise – Proverbs 17:1-9 Better is a dry morsel and quietness with it Than a house full of feasting with strife. A servant who acts wisely will rule over a son who acts shamefully, And will share in the inheritance among brothers. The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, But the Lord tests hearts. An evildoer listens to wicked lips; A liar pays attention to a destructive tongue. He who mocks the poor taunts his Maker;…

God’s plans, not our plans. It’s so interesting seeing how God moves and knowing how God must laugh as we create our plans. Read Proverbs 16. God sees the big picture – Proverbs 16:1-33 The plans of the heart belong to man, But the answer of the tongue is from the Lord . All the ways of a man are clean in his own sight, But the Lord weighs the motives. Commit your works to the Lord And your plans will be established. The Lord has made everything for its own purpose, Even the wicked for the day of evil. Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to…

Inner thoughts and motives. God sees them all and they indicate our wisdom or foolishness. Read Proverbs 15. The thoughts that lead to the words – Proverbs 15:1-15 A gentle answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise makes knowledge acceptable, But the mouth of fools spouts folly. The eyes of the Lord are in every place, Watching the evil and the good. A soothing tongue is a tree of life, But perversion in it crushes the spirit. A fool rejects his father’s discipline, But he who regards reproof is sensible. Great wealth is in the house of the righteous, But trouble…