Seeking Godly Counsel

Listen to advice and accept instruction, That you may gain wisdom for the future.

Proverbs 19:20 RSV

Automaker Henry Ford asked electrical genius Charlie Steinmetz to build the generators for his factory. One day the generators ground to a halt, and the repairmen couldn’t find the problem. So Ford called Steinmetz, who tinkered with the machines for a few hours and then threw the switch. The generators whirred to life. Then Ford got a bill for $10,000 from Steinmetz. Flabbergasted, the rather tightfisted carmaker inquired why the bill was so high when it took so little time. Steinmetz’s reply: “For tinkering with the generators, $10. For knowing where to tinker, $9,990.” Ford paid the bill.

Obtaining wisdom and godly advice is priceless and hard to find in today’s society. There are plenty of people who want to give their opinion, but the Bible is the ultimate guidebook on wisdom. One place you might not have thought of is your local church. Most churches offer mentoring programs, counseling, and the chance to meet one-on-one with the pastor.

Take this into consideration the next time you are making big decisions or are confused about an issue. Proverbs 15:22 says, “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed” (NIV).