What is Prudence?: One Year Bible Reading for February 19

 

Today we read from the One Year Bible in the following passages:

Leviticus 7:28-9:6
Mark 3:31-4:25
Psalm 37:12-29
Proverbs 10:5

And you'll notice that we are reading just one single verse from Proverbs. So let's look at it! It tells us, "He who gathers crops in summer is a prudent son, but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son." Which brings up (NOT BEGS) the question: what does prudent mean?

You often hear people say, "I'm no prude!" when they mean they're not modest or worried about sexual indiscretion. We get mental pictures of an old maid with a buttoned up collar and hair in a bun who never has any fun and just shushes everyone all the time. 

But look at the definition above. Prudence means being wise. It means knowing how to invest for a good future. Time, money, resources... all of these are tools to invest for future happiness. How are you being prudent today?

God, thanks for teaching us that being a prude isn't a bad thing.