Golden Nugget: “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”

Daily Verse: “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” —Proverbs 4:23

Daily Message:

In 2007, a charity auction offered Warren Buffett’s wallet (containing stock market advice) to the highest bidder. It sold for $240,000.  In 2011, a dinner with Mr. Buffett went for over $2,600,000.

People are willing to pay a lot for sure thing.

King Solomon was a deep thinker whose wisdom and knowledge were more valued in his day than Warren Buffett’s in ours. People in the ancient world traveled thousands of miles and offered lavish gifts just to hear his sage advice. The book of Proverbs in the Old Testament contains nine hundred of his three thousand sayings. 

King Solomon gives counsel on all areas of life. One example is today’s verse: “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”

Solomon is essentially saying, “Look, the most important thing I can tell you is this: protect your inner self.” Don’t allow anything unwholesome to gain control of who you are. Since life is lived from the inside out, safeguard your heart. You cannot live well with a contaminated heart; everything you do has its origins there.

Consider This:

• What are some common ways we often fail to guard our hearts today?
• How can you begin to guard your heart more effectively?

Take Action:
The first step to guarding your heart is realizing how often you compromise. This week, watch for how often you tell yourself something like: “Only this one time,” “I deserve this,” or “At least I’m not as bad as so-and-so.” Then stop it.