A Family Legacy Builds Relationships

Proverbs 18:
1. Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom.

I will be commenting on the alternate reading in the KJV which is this:

“He that separateth himself seeketh according to his desire, and intermeddleth in every business.”

As you can see the implication of the text changes considerably. The original suggests a focused, serious and studious person who seeks to be alone so he will not be disturbed in his studies and meditations – a seemingly commendable desire! The alternate reading gives the picture of a self-centered loner who is always meddling in the affairs of others. The second reading is similar to those of whom the Apostles’ warned us according to Jude 19.

“How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.”

This idea of sensual or natural is enlarged in James 3:14-16.

“But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.”

The New Testament texts are developing the picture of a man who is not . . .

“Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” (Ephesians 4:3)

But rather is stirring up all manner of strife and division within the Church.

Now the application in this proverb is broader than that found in the New Testament, although the principle is the same, and can be effectively applied to building a Family Legacy.

The principle is this: building a Family Legacy builds relationships, not loners. A loner tends to be all wrapped up in his own interests, but the Scriptures say to . . .

“Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.” (Philippians 2:4)

A loner can tend to think of himself as better than others and therefore be always critical of their work, but the Scriptures say . . .

“Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.” (Philippians 2:3)

A loner’s relationships are cool and at best civil, but the Scriptures say . . .

“Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;” (Romans 12:10)

Therefore, in building the relationships that create a strong Family Legacy, it is not only important that . . .

“Love worketh no ill to his neighbour:” (Romans 13:10a)

But also this . . .

“Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth:” (1 Corinthians 13:4-8a)

Many mistakes will be made in the process of building a Family Legacy, but they can all be overcome and progress continued when this kind of love is present.