Business Advice

Proverbs 27:13-27

“Take his garment that is surety for a stranger, and take a pledge of him for a strange woman.” (Proverbs 27:13)

A person who cosigns other people’s loans puts his own property and income at risk.  If you loan him money, you should make sure you have collateral you can get to cover part of the loan if he is forced into bankruptcy.  If he’s doing it for a girlfriend or some woman other than his wife, you better take something for pawn to cover the loan and not give it back until you get paid.   Emotions change too quickly to take any chances.

“He that blesseth his friend with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, it shall be counted a curse to him.” (Proverbs 27:14)

People who brag on you too much can get you into a lot of trouble.   Sooner or later you will regret their bragging.   

“A continual dropping in a very rainy day and a contentious woman are alike.  Whosoever hideth her hideth the wind, and the ointment of his right hand, which bewrayeth itself.” (Proverbs 27:15-16)

Everyone knows how annoying a constant drip can become after a few hours.  A woman who constantly complains or says disparaging things is the same way.  Trying to hide such an attitude is pointless because sooner or later the effects will show up just like trying to keep people from knowing the wind is blowing or to cover up the smell of perfume. 

“Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.” (Proverbs 27:17)

Just as the friction from rubbing two pieces of iron together can make a knife sharper when done properly, friends strongly affect our attitudes and actions, whether for good or for evil.  Jonathan was a great encouragement for David to serve God, while Jonadab advised Amnon how he could rape Tamar. 

“Whoso keepeth the fig tree shall eat the fruit thereof: so he that waiteth on his master shall be honoured.” (Proverbs 27:18)

While it may take time, investing time and energy in worthwhile things will eventyually pay off.  Taking the time to plant and care for a fruit tree will eventually result in fruit to eat.  Doing your job well will eventually produce benefits, even if it takes a long time.   

“As in water face answereth to face, so the heart of man to man.” (Proverbs 27:19)

Just as a person can see his own reflection in the water, he often sees his own attitudes reflected in other people’s behavior.    As a result, the thief assumes other people are thieves, a liar assumes others are liars, and a cheat assumes others are trying to cheat.   Unfortunately their assumption may not be true.

“Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied.” (Proverbs 27:20)

Some things can never be satisfied.  The more you give, the more they want.  Greed, hunger for power power, and sexual lust are never satisfied.  Giving what they want is like adding fuel to a fire.  The more they get, the more they want and try to take. 

“As the fining pot for silver, and the furnace for gold; so is a man to his praise.” (Proverbs 27:21)

A refining pot separates silver from other metals, and a furnace or fire does the same for gold.  Praise makes a person focus on the things he gets praised for and avoid things that he doesn’t.  While punishment may be necessary, praise is far more effective as a motivation.

“Though thou shouldest bray a fool in a mortar among wheat with a pestle, yet will not his foolishness depart from him” (Proverbs 27:22)

No amount of punishment will make a fool learn if he doesn’t want to, not even if you grind him up like you were grinding wheat into flour.  You just as well try something different.

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“Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds.  For riches are not for ever: and doth the crown endure to every generation?   The hay appeareth, and the tender grass showeth itself, and herbs of the mountains are gathered.  The lambs are for thy clothing, and the goats are the price of the field.  And thou shalt have goats' milk enough for thy food, for the food of thy household, and for the maintenance for thy maidens.” (Proverbs 27:23-27)

Nothing lasts forever without somebody taking care of it. The most powerful king can lose his throne by just not taking care of his business.   Sheep need a variety of nutrients, some of which come only from certain plants.  It may be a nuisance to see that they have everything they need, from gathering hay or finding fresh grass to gathering certain herbs in the mountain but each one is important.  The baby lambs that get lost so easily will one day provide your clothing and the baby goats that go climbing everything in sight and constantly try to get through the fence will give you food and milk for your family and workers.    Later you’ll be glad you spent the time and effort on them.