Wisdom Of, Do Not

We are in this field of exposed treasure, as already stated. And he said, A hundred measures of oil. So he said unto him, Take your bill, and sit down quickly and write fifty. Then said he to another, And how much do you owe? So he said, A hundred measures of wheat. And he said to him, Take your bill, and write eighty. Luke 16: 6 – 7

What makes this such a field of bountiful treasures? What are the treasures that we are picking, eating, taking and sharing? It is a field of what I refer to as, Do Nots, which tell you what not to do.

• What not to accept.

• What not to believe.

• What not to trust,

• What not to promote.

This method of telling, advising, warning and encouraging God’s people, about what not to do is Biblical. For our enlightening, here are a few, what not verses, snatched from all through the Bible - the Old and New Testaments – as spoken by prophet, preacher, the man of wisdom, psalmist, apostle, disciple and Jesus Himself.

From a prophet of God – God Himself is warning His people through the prophet. I have also sent to you all My servants the prophets, rising up early and sending them, saying Turn now everyone from his evil way, amend your doings and do not go after other gods to serve them. Jeremiah 35: 15a.

From a man of wisdom – Solomon offers proverbs, words of wise counsel. Do not enter the path of the wicked, and do not walk in the way of evil. Proverbs 4: 14.

From a psalmist – David, from personal experiences, advises us on this matter. Do not fret because of evildoers. Psalm 37: 1a

From the preacher – These are words from the preacher, the son of David, as he counsels to obey authorities for God’s sake.  Do not be hasty to go from his presence. Do not take your stand for an evil thing, for he does whatever pleases him. Ecclesiastes 8: 3

From a disciple of Jesus – Here is John, our Lord’s beloved disciple, encouraging the believers. Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God, but he who does evil has not seen God. 3 John 1: 11 

From an apostle – The apostle Paul has addressed these words to the Roman converts whom he is encouraging and literally pleading with, to be loyal and faithful to Jesus. I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.  Romans 12: 1 – 2

From Jesus Himself – Jesus is warning His disciples about following the deceived and misguided. Then He said to the disciples, The days will come when you will desire to see one of the days of the Son of Man, and you will not see it. And they will say to you, Look here! or Look there! Do not go after them or follow them. Luke 17: 22 - 23

The chief and singular reason for placing these do not words, is to sensitize us to the fact that they are pearls of wisdom, treasures of wealth and priceless riches. These treasures, or fruit, when picked, eaten, taken and shared, will guarantee us enhanced, undeniable living in Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, to the Father’s pleasure and glory.

Wisdom teaches us that with every, do not, there is a, do.  Hardly can there be one without the other. This is what I mean. When, in the verse from Proverbs 4: 14, we are advised, do not enter the path of the wicked, aren’t we being told to enter the path of the righteous? And when we are told, do not walk in the way of evil, aren’t we being told to walk in the way of good?

It is with the mind of astuteness and heart of faithfulness, and the undaunted willingness to receive all that is before us, that we excitedly look forward to the rest of this week.