Dear Abby

Consider the following:But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
When I was growing up, there was a columnist, Pauline Phillips, who went by the pen name Abigail “Abby” Van Buren (Abigail from the Book of 1 Samuel and Van Buren from the last name of the former U.S. president). She wrote a syndicated advice column published in multiple newspapers, beginning in 1956. Her popularity grew and the column, “Dear Abby”, sustained a loyal following until she died. Today, her daughter carries on the legacy.Dear Abby's current syndication company claims the column is "well-known for sound, compassionate advice, delivered with the straightforward style of a good friend."The Dear Abby column is a good indicator of how people will seek advice and counsel from others, even though scripture says, “But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God…and it will be given to him” (James 1:5). Whether it’s advice from a newspaper, a book, daily devotionals, or today’s en vogue medium, blogging, the “market” for giving advice is rather large. Heck, a person can go sit at the local diner and hear a plethora of advice being given over coffee every morning…some on the best way to plant tomatoes…others on the best spark plugs to buy for today’s vehicles…and so on. Others may sit quietly off to the side, reading a different part of the newspaper, seeking an astrologist’s counsel…something that’s been going on for millennia.You are wearied with your many counsels;
Let now the astrologers,
Those who prophesy by the stars,
Those who predict by the new moons,
Stand up and save you from what will come upon you.The prophet Isaiah obviously had very little faith in astrology, as evidenced by his sarcasm. Rightly so. Astrology is just another false ointment for the soul to tide a person over for a day…just another false eye salve pretending to impart clarity.Regardless of the mode, people love to give and receive advice. I suppose it’s one of the fundamental byproducts of coexisting in a world filled with so many unknowns. The question naturally arises then, “What is the best advice a person can give?” And given the general realization that most people, even after hearing sound advice, don’t always heed it, “How does one make advice stick?”“Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach him how to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.”Most agree that there’s truth in the above proverb (of course, it’s a ripoff from the Bible - e.g. Ephesians 4:28). Wouldn’t it be prudent to apply this maxim to the advice we might give others?Instead of simply addressing a problem with a one-time prescription, why not give a person a principle from the wellspring of wisdom, the Bible, which is able to serve as an ongoing remedy for a multitude of scenarios? That seems wise in and of itself, if not at least economical, right?All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.If we’re going to entertain the idea of doling out advice with any regularity, it behooves us to draw from a source worthy of doing so. Do we really want others leaning on our own understanding (“do not lean on your own understanding” - Proverbs 3:5b), or do we want them deriving their wisdom from the Holy Scriptures? My vote is for the latter…and God agrees.So, the next time you’re faced with the challenge of giving advice, consider the eternal righteousness of the Word of God. Consider how you might best serve our Master, Jesus Christ, in sharing His mind. Trust that His wisdom is in every way superior and edifying compared to your own.The very best thing a person can ever give another to meditate on is Holy Scripture. Try it. You might enjoy the effects you see in others, as well as yourself.O how I love Your law!
It is my meditation all the day.
Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies,
For they are ever mine.
I have more insight than all my teachers,
For Your testimonies are my meditation.
I understand more than the aged,
Because I have observed Your precepts.
I have restrained my feet from every evil way,
That I may keep Your word.
I have not turned aside from Your ordinances,
For You Yourself have taught me.
How sweet are Your words to my taste!
Yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth!
From Your precepts I get understanding;
Therefore I hate every false way.
Your word is a lamp to my feet
And a light to my path.
Love in Christ,
​
Ed Collins