The newly promoted department manager decides to float around the mass of cubicles surrounding his new office and let his new employees know that he is here and ready to take charge. Most everyone seems to be busy, except across the room he spots a guy leaning up against one of the cubicles. There is obvious casual conversation taking place, so Mr. New Manager decides he will let his new workers know what he expects in the way of productivity.
He strides up and says, “Young man, you need to get back to work instead of wasting your time.”
The fellow replies, “Whatever you say, man. Just getting in a little chit-chat time.”
Mr. Manager is appalled at the attitude. “Young man, how much money do you make a week?”
Undaunted the fellow looks at him and replies, “I make about $450 a week. Why?”
The manager reaches into his pocket, takes out $450 and says, “Here’s a week’s pay! Now GET OUT and don’t come back!”
Feeling rather good about his first firing, he looks around and sees several people with mouths and eyes wide open. “Does anyone want to tell me what that goof-off did here?” he asks. And someone toward the back of the room mutters, “He delivers pizza from Dominoes.”
Oops …
This verse might apply … “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” (Proverbs 16:18)
One thing pride does to us is to fool ourselves into thinking we know more than we do. We sometimes come up with false assumptions and then proceed to act on them. I have heard it said … “Engage your brain before opening your mouth!”
There are thirty-six Proverbs about the use of the mouth and the things we say, like this one: “The mouths of fools are their undoing, and their lips are a snare to their very lives.” (Proverbs 18:7)
I have said some pretty foolish things along my way in life, but I’m learning how to think before speaking. Something that helped me was to embrace God’s acceptance of me. Thus, when I don’t know something, I can say, “I don’t know.” There’s nothing wrong with that. And if I do say something presumptive or foolish, I can say, “Oops, I’m sorry. I got that wrong. My apologies. Help me get this straightened out.”
There’s always more to learn!
Blessings,
Chaplain Mark
NOTE: The BEMA Podcast is a great Bible Study tool from a Messianic Jewish perspective, which I highly recommend. It is a long-term study which will increase your understanding of the Scriptures in a new and deeper way. You can also get it on your other devices by going to the Google PlayStore or Apple App Store.