Planning Prudently 审慎规划

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Dexu Xia

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Jun 10, 2025, 2:07:33 AM6/10/25

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The prudent give thought to their steps. Proverbs 14:15

Today's Scripture Proverbs 14:7-8, 14-15

Today's Insights

The word translated “prudent” (Proverbs 14:8, 15, 18) can also be translated as “crafty,” “sensible,” or “shrewd.” In Proverbs, the prudent are presented as the opposite of “fools” (14:8). Fools may think rejecting God’s wisdom and the instruction of others gives them power and security (v. 16), but in reality, their refusal to seek the truth is self-destructive (vv. 11-12). They lack knowledge (v. 7), and their advice can only mislead and deceive (v. 8). They’re driven by their whims and tempers (v. 17), while the prudent are guided by reliable knowledge (v. 18). The contrast between the lives of the foolish and the prudent illustrates that “the fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, turning a person from the snares of death” (v. 27).

Today's Devotional

Small-town physician Ezdan nurtured a grand dream for his young daughter Eleanor. She has Down syndrome, and he hoped to open a business to provide paid work for her future. Feeling “terrified” to pursue his dream, he took an online course on how to start a business. Then he and his wife launched a family bakery in their Wyoming town, and it’s thriving. “It has become a real business, with a staff,” Ezdan said. Eleanor, now grown, works the cash register and connects with online customers. “Everybody in town knows who she is,” says Ezdan. His leap of faith in planning for Eleanor’s future reflects his choice to be prudent.

It's a classic biblical virtue. Prudence is an element of wisdom that God ordains for our current and future planning. “The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways,” says Proverbs 14:8, “but the folly of fools is deception.” Rather than worry about the future, or do nothing about it, prudent people look to God for wisdom to plan for it.

In fact, prudence comes directly from the Latin word prudentia, meaning “foresight.” “The simple believe anything, but the prudent give thought to their steps” (v. 15). Foreseeing what could happen, they work sensibly to build a safety net—a strong course of action for the wise!

With clear-eyed faith, may we live prudently, in step with God.

Reflect & Pray

What has God shown you about how to plan in a way that honors Him? By faith, how are you prudently planning for a wise future?

Thank You, Father, for inspiring me to plan future prudently.

By Patricia Raybon

“通达人步步谨慎。”（箴言 14:15）

今日经文：箴言 14:7-8, 14-15

今日心得：“通达人”（箴言 14:8, 15, 18）也可以翻译为“灵巧”、“通情达理”或“精明”。在箴言中，通达人与愚昧人（14:8）相对立。愚昧人会认为，拒绝上帝的智慧和其他的教导能带给他们力量和稳妥（16节），但实际上，他们拒绝寻求真理只会自取灭亡（11-12节）。他们缺乏知识（7节），他们的建议只会误导和欺骗他人（8节）。他们被自己的突发奇想和脾气所驱使（17节），而明智人则由可靠的知识引导（18节）。对比愚昧人与聪明人的生活，表明“敬畏耶和华就是生命的泉源，使可以人离开死亡的网罗”（27节）。

今日灵修小镇医生埃兹丹为他的小女儿埃莉诺怀揣着一个宏伟的梦想。埃莉诺患有唐氏综合症，埃茨丹希望开办一家公司，为埃莉诺未来的发展提供一份有工价的工作。由于对追求此梦想感到“恐惧”，埃茨丹参加了一个在线创业课程。之后，他和妻子在怀俄明州的小镇开了一家家庭面包店，生意兴隆。“现在它已经成为一家真正的企业，有了自己的员工，”埃兹丹说。埃莉诺如今已长大成人，她负责面包店的收银，并与网上的客户沟通。“镇上每个人都认识她，”埃兹丹说。他在为埃莉诺的未来规划时所展现的信心，说明他选择审慎行事。

审慎是上帝赋予我们的一个智慧元素，在我们为当前或将来作规划时需要审慎。这是一种典型的圣经美德。箴言14章8节说：“通达人的智慧在乎明白己道，愚昧人的愚昧乃是诡诈。”审慎的人不会为未来担忧，也不会袖手旁观，而是寻求上帝的智慧来规划未来。事实上，审慎一词直接源于拉丁语prudentia，意指“预见”。“愚蒙人是话都信，通达人步步谨慎”（15节）。通达人能预见到可能发生的事情，所以他们明智地构建安全网，这是智慧人坚实的行动方针！

藉着使人眼目明亮的信心，但愿我们审慎地生活，与上帝同行。

反思与祷告上帝是否向你启示，如何作规划来荣耀祂？你是如何凭着信心，审慎地为一个聪慧的未来作规划？