Proverbs

The book of Proverbs is filled with ancient, timeless wisdom. It advises often about fools and foolishness.

A more contemporary bit of wisdom is attributed to Anthony Weldon’s writing in 1651, THE COURT AND CHARACTER OF KING JAMES.

“Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me.”

I can hear you saying, “Gabby, what does that have to do with Biblical wisdom?”

We are also taught, not only in Christian philosophy but in most relevant religions, that our God has blessed us with countless resources of which money is one. Ancient wisdom talks about the evil of money worship and the need to be a good steward of our money and possessions.

You are still asking, “Gabby, where are you going with this?”

For those of you who don’t like to mix your faith with political figures, you may as well turn me off and go read the obits in your newspapers.

Treasury, IRS issue guidance on Trump Accounts established under the Working Families Tax Cuts

There it is folks. Another potential ruse attached to the Trump legacy. Do you recall Trump University, Trump Shuttle, Trump Steaks, Trump Casinos, Trump Vodka, Trump Fragrances, Trump Beer, Trump Magazine, GoTrump.com, a travel booking site. According to ROLLING STONE, at least 13 failures.

All you need to do is transfer your hard earned money to Trump Accounts to fund an IRA for your child’s educational needs. Gabby remembers mandatory transfer of his money to the IRS for his social security account. Yeah, that government program really worked well.

As for me and my household, we will bury our savings in a tin can in the back yard or stuff it under the mattress. Makes just as much sense as Trump Accounts.

“A foole and his money, be soon at debate: which after with sorrow, repents him too late.” Thomas Tusser 16th century English poet and farmer

A fool and his money are soon parted.

conversations, blessed with food

Hey man, just wanted to talk to you about something that’s been troubling my heart.

Remember yesterday, brother, on your way to the grocery store to buy a few things you needed for dinner? That man standing on the corner holding a sign that said, “Hungry, please help.” Remember what you did, bro?

You rolled down your window. He came to your window with a smile and anticipation. Not at all threatening or demanding. And what did you do? Remember?

You told him to go get a fucking job and gave him the finger.

You didn’t see what he did or hear what he said as you sped on down to your grocery store. He folded his hands over his chest and said, “God bless you, man.”

I saw it and it broke my heart.

Now, what could you have done differently?

Maybe you could have given him that 10 bucks you won in last night’s poker game with the guys. Yeah, a bunch of rowdy, cigar smoking buddies they were, but they’re your friends from the Tuesday night prayer group from the church you attend every Sunday.

Or maybe you could have said, “Jump in, let’s go to Wendy’s and get burgers and fries?” He may have had some interesting stories about his camp in the nearby woods and what he has to do to survive every day.

But you thought he smelled ripe and you didn’t want to stink up your car.

Yeah, I saw it all brother. I was standing next to that man. “Inasmuch as ye have done unto the least of these, my brethren, ye have done unto me.” matthew 26

You didn’t know that man was also a veteran like you. Only he did not come back to the States as blessed as you. No, he suffered deep emotional scars that followed him for the rest of his life. Couldn’t keep a marriage together, couldn’t hold down a decent job, couldn’t maintain a home and ultimately found himself living in a tent in the woods. No, he wasn’t camping, he had no options. Considered suicide but faith in the Lord would not let him do that either. Like I said, no viable options.

He served his country but became a throwaway, broken statistic. And, my brother, he was hungry like you were as you drove to the grocery store. His faith kept him shiny side up in the worst of times, times that most could not endure nor want to survive.

And, he was a Christian like you profess to be. Just alot less lucky in things of the world.

“For I was hungry and ye gave me no meat; I was thirsty and ye gave me no drink; I was a stranger and ye took me not in; naked, and ye clothed me not; sick and in prison and ye visited me not.” matthew 26

And Gabby says, “Amen, Lord, I hear you.”