My second Faith & Family Business series considers the book of Proverbs. Though written thousands of years ago, these proverbs still have a timeliness and power today. My aim is to consider these maxims in the context of our current experience of living and working with family members. Thanks for your feedback and sharing this post with others.
Following last week’s reflection asking whether we have enough, it seems that part of the struggle in answering the question lies in knowing if what we have today will likely provide what we need tomorrow. As you contemplate the future, consider the wisdom in following passage:
Know well the condition of your flocks, and give attention to your herds, for riches do not last forever; and does a crown endure to all generations? When the grass is gone and the new growth appears and the vegetation of the mountains is gathered, the lambs will provide your clothing, and the goats the price of a field. There will be enough goats’ milk for your food, for the food of your household and maintenance for your girls. (Prov. 27:23-27)
Instead of worrying about accumulating, we are asked to think about the nature or “condition” of what we have, and whether it will furnish something for us later. An economic view might ask whether our current assets provide residual income. An agricultural view asks whether the regenerative potential of livestock (or even land) satisfies our basic needs both today and well into the future. Taking a sacred view, we can ask how well our current beliefs and spiritual practices provide the sustenance to deal with life’s future challenges and uncertainties. So instead of wrestling with having enough, perhaps wisdom lies in knowing the sustaining ability of our strengths: our financial, physical, relational, emotional, and spiritual health.
On a scale of 1-10, how would you rate the current “condition” of your your spiritual health? What are the habits in your life, or who are the people in your family business, helping you attend to your relationship with God?