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Timely advice is lovely, like golden apples in a silver basket.” Proverbs 25:11 NLT
 
“Timely advice is lovely.” It would be difficult to argue the point. Is the author just stating a fact or making an interesting observation? Is it along the category of “the sky is blue” or “men are different than women?” We gain further insight in the rest of the verse “like golden apples in a silver basket.” Timely advice is a valuable gift and a treasure to behold. But like all gifts, there are two parts to the transaction: giving and receiving.
 
There is an old saying that says that “counsel that is unsolicited is unheeded”.  Meaning that our counsel is not going to make a difference in someone’s life that isn’t open to it, and on the flip side we are unlikely to receive counsel unless we are seeking it.
 
When it comes to giving good advice remember:
 
Be intentional. – Engage with others around you.
Be available. – Make time for others.
Be loving. – Prayerfully tell the truth in love.
 
When it comes to receiving advice:
 
Be humble. – Be wise enough to know that you don’t have all of the answers.
Be open. – Be ready to receive advice
Be careful. – Make certain that you carefully select who you receive advice from.
 
We were meant for community. Self-sufficiency doesn’t work very well in the Christian life. Timely advise is lovely, a treasure to behold.
 
This week, be loving enough to offer good advice and humble enough to receive it.
 
In His Hands,
 
John