Don’t just open up to everyone (Ecclesiastes 7:22). Instead, confide in those who are wise and God-fearing. Treat confidentiality seriously. Steer clear of taking the advice of too many inexperienced people or those who are unfamiliar with a topic. Instead, seek experience and those who have shown responsibility (Proverbs 5:10).
At the same time, be careful not to ingratiate yourself with the wealthy as if they are your key to success. And resist the temptation to constantly associate with the influential. There is a balance that you must navigate.
It is wisest, in all of your associations to choose the company of the humble, the straightforward, the devout, and the virtuous, engaging in conversations that uplift and inspire.
Exercise caution in forming close bonds with the opposite sex when they are not your significant other. Prioritize your greatest intimacy with God, steering clear of those who trip over themselves and dole out too much attention on you. Often, we might refer to these people as a shyster, cheater, scammer, or trickster. While it's crucial to have love for all people, there are some relationships, like these, that are not beneficial. The behaviour of someone who is complementary just to win some favour reminds us that sometimes when we seek to please others with empty words and exaggerated behaviour, we might inadvertently displease people because we put our sinfulness on full display.
Illustrative Story
In our day and era, scammers seem to be working at full throttle. Seniors being tricked by a person impersonating their grandson calling and asking for 10,000 dollars; ‘High Quality’ cars for sale on Facebook marketplace with missing parts or illegally modified odometers; constant phone calls from people that claim to be from a federal government office who need us to share with them our tax information or we will be arrested; the list goes on. But the latest and biggest scams have come in the area of cryptocurrency. Onecoin: It was made famous by the BBC’s Missing Cryptoqueen podcast series and is thought to be the biggest crypto scam of all time. It is believed that the Onecoin scam – now known to be a giant Ponzi scheme – made off with an estimated $25 billion. Despite arrests in 2017, astonishingly the scam was still going on 4 years later! Most bizarre of all, Onecoin never even had a cryptocurrency, the tech was a hoax from the start.
Moral of each one of these stories: As individuals, we must keep in check our tendency to fall for ‘the pitch.’ “Stories that seem too good to be true, probably are.” Instead, find faithful Christian friends and wise counselors who will be honest with you and can slowly and cautiously guide you through life.
Lead Well! Lead with honest appraisal.
Rev Dr Darren Roorda
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Ecclesiastes 7:22 Your heart knows that many times you have spoken a curse against others. (MEV)
Proverbs 5:10 Why should you allow strangers to take advantage of you? Why be exploited by those who care nothing for you? (The Message)
