Scripture
I passed by the field of the sluggard
And by the vineyard of the man lacking sense,
And behold, it was completely overgrown with thistles;
Its surface was covered with nettles,
And its stone wall was broken down.
When I saw, I reflected upon it;
I looked, and received instruction.
“A little sleep, a little slumber,
A little folding of the hands to rest,”
Then your poverty will come as a robber
And your want like an armed man. Proverbs 24:30-34

Observation
We normally would think of the brightest person as one who learns only from the best. That person must have gone to a good college, had great mentors, and read the best sellers.

But not so according to the Bible. The most brilliant man is one who can learn from poor teachers as well as good ones. That person learns twice as much because every human being becomes an instructor, whether wise or unwise.

King Solomon could learn from a lazy farmer as much as he could from a busy one because he knew where to find the lesson. He knew that learning comes from reflection. It takes observing what is happening, what is not happening, where it came from, where it is heading and more to discover principles to live by. His lesson was clear: poverty is not an accident, it is often a personal choice. Daily chores frighten poverty away.

Application
I want to be a life learner, who looks at every person as my teacher, whether they are older or younger, more skilled or less skilled, more experienced or inexperienced. I choose today to humble myself so I can learn from every person. I also choose to look for the lessons that are being taught, even from those who are not good teachers or good examples.

Prayer
Father, today be my teacher in every person that I meet. Amen.