Attitude, mindset, disposition, whatever you want to call it does make a difference in life. It's not how much you have in resources, talents, abilities, or even your surrounding circumstance that really make a difference. It's what's going on in your heart.
In this series of proverbs in chapter 11, Solomon makes clear that those looking for trouble will find it and those looking for good will find that. Those who are generous are received with fondness and the tightfisted are looked upon with disdain.
I think I've found a new verse to add to my list of favorites. Verse 22 says, "Like a gold ring in a pig's snout is a beautiful woman who shows no discretion." Wow, does that have lot to say to the young ladies in our culture today where sexting has become the latest rage and sex on the first date is the norm. It has a lot to say to all women of all ages quite frankly who so easily trade indiscretion for false security or approval.
Solomon talks here how troublemakers, the selfish, the negative, the self-absorbed all get what they have coming to them in the end. The more open our heart is to others, the more cheerful, the more generous, the more optimistic, the more good things come to our life.
To be honest, I get tired of all the nay sayers and negative and cold water throwers. The contentious, doomsdayers, and pessimistic wear me out. I've sat in countless board meetings, committee meetings and even staff meetings where the "that won't work" mentality overrides any potential opportunity and dowses the entrepreneurial spirit of the group.
I have heard it said that generous people live longer. I don't know if that's true or not but my bet is that they live happier and have a much more enjoyable life with a lot more friends. And my guess is that virtually no rags to riches story has at the center a pessimistic or negative or miserly person. I'm positive that no healthy, happy family has a troublesome personality that dominates or keeps things stirred up all the time.
There are so many scriptures that come to mind, ie. "give and it shall be given to you...," "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me," "He is able to do abundantly, immeasurably more that what we can think or imagine." But the one that really seems an appropriate crescendo to these Proverbs comes from Phil. 2, where Paul instructs us to have the same attitude of Christ, taking on a servant's mentality.
God, in this negative, pessimistic world, it's easy to develop a negative, pessimistic or even cynical attitude. I know that in you I have victory. I want to have your mind. I want to be a servant like you. I want to extend grace like you. I want to remain optimistic. Let me be a blessing to others today.
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