How's That Slap on the Back?

“As the fining pot for silver, and the furnace for gold; so is a man to his praise.” (Pr 27:21 AV)

This verse is taken two ways.  A man is defined by how he reacts to the praise bestowed upon him and he is known by the praise he bestows upon others.  Is his praise, given or received, self-serving?  The distinction is in the little word ‘to’.   This suggests the man is the fining pot and furnace.  He is the one who purifies praise.  The praise that goes forth from his lips must be pure.  It must be free from ulterior motives.  It must be truthful and not an exaggeration.  His praise should be to encourage and acknowledge one who has done much for him.  Or, it should be given to someone who means a great deal.  The praise he offers must be free from all uncleanness.  Not that Solomon is referring to divine praise here, but the same rings true of it.  Only pure and truthful praise is worthy praise.  In the same vein, the man who receives praise should weigh it carefully.  Praise heaped upon the arrogant only makes them more so.  Praise offered to the humble will also make him more humble.  How we receive praise is often a mark of our heart’s condition.  If we seek praise, this tells a lot as well.

Many years ago, I had a paper route and deliverer along Maple Avenue and Main Street.  There were several houses I remember to this day.  I remember delivering to a fella who knew Jim Henson, inventor of the Muppets.  This gentleman was a college roommate of Jim’s and helped create the idea that would eventually become the Muppets.  On of the houses I delivered to was a green house.  I cannot remember what street it was on, but I remember what was in the front drawing room.  The walls were lined with trophies.  Bowling trophies.  Bowling was a big thing in the seventies.  Everyone bowled.  Some took it very seriously.  Even my mom was on a game show called Bowling for Dollars.  This house had bowling memorabilia all over the place.  Every trophy my customer earned was in that room and spilled out into the living room.  In the whole scope of things, success in bowling is not of any eternal value.  This customer wanted everyone to see his success.  You could see these trophies from the sidewalk.  There was no getting around what others thought of him.  He was the champion.

Paul tells us, “For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think [of himself] more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.” (Ro 12:3 AV)  We are admonished against pride in the heart.  This is especially difficult when others pay us compliments.  We react to these acknowledgments in the manner in which we think of ourselves.  It tells a lot about who and what we are according to our own opinion.  That is not to say we have accomplished that which others recognized.  We have.  But it is all in how we take that recognition.  Solomon is trying to show his son a bit of modesty.  When complimented, he should take it graciously.  Even if he has done all the wonderful things others see, grace and modesty are the better part of valor.