Taking care of business
Day 277, Thursday, May 15
2 Chronicles 21:4 – Chapter 23
Today we go back over the stories of three bad leaders of Judah: Jehoram, Ahaziah and Athaliah.
All are presented as not only faithless in their relationship with God, but also as schemers willing to kill, even members of their own family, to gain and keep power.
In fact, the only hopeful sign in this part of the story is the child king Joash, who is hidden away when his brothers are executed.
Today’s quotation, though, comes from the proverbs reading: and admonition to care for the animals of your flocks or herds.
While my own herd consists only of one dog of uncertain parentage, the wisdom of the proverb has application beyond its strict literal advice.
The proverb goes on to say that riches and crowns (or status) do no last forever.
The meaning is to pay attention to your business, whatever it is, and take care of it, because the future is never assured. The kings of Judah and Israel would have done a lot better if they had paid attention to that wisdom.

-Rev. Mark Fleming

Thursday meditation

Proverbs 27:23-27
Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds; for riches do not endure forever, and a crown is not secure for all generations.
When the hay is removed and new growth appears and the grass from the hills is gathered in, the lambs will provide you with clothing, and the goats with the price of a field.
You will have plenty of goats’ milk to feed your family and to nourish your female servants.

Prayer focus
God, whether you have given us stewardship over little or over much, make us faithful in using what we have to serve your kingdom.