Sensibly Prudent

(Proverbs 14:18 KJV)  The simple inherit folly: but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.

A good question for the day would be “What does it mean to be prudent (6175)?”  The NASB update of 1995 changed the translation to “sensible”.  At first I thought it was an accommodation to the culture of the day that thinks being a prude is negative.  In looking at the Hebrew definition I concluded that they did not go far enough.  It means being sensible in the crafty, sly and shrewd sense. 

We are not to be deer in the headlights.  Part of what that means is we avoid the lifestyle of the world around us but we might need to do it in such a way as to not call attention to ourselves.  I am not what I would consider a hard core survivalist.  I don’t have a garage full of Mountain House or MREs.  I can’t make a fire with sticks, although I will confess I have watched it done.  The thing this verse tells me is that I would not tell you if I was.  The advice I come across from people who prepare is, “Don’t tell anyone.” 

So?  We are to be witnesses and share the love of Christ.  We are not to be foolish in dealing with a world that thinks the redistribution of wealth starts with taking what I have to give to the guy who never saved a penny.