The Proper Care and Cultivation of Mentors

Reference: Proverbs 13:20 Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble.

Observation: The obvious implication of this verse is that we need to be careful of who we associate with as friends because we will become like those we associate with. That is very true and worth noting.

Beyond that, more pro-actively, this verse ought to be seen as encouraging us to find wise mentors who will invest their lives and knowledge into us, to spend time with. It’s good that we find others that we can share our wisdom and experience with. The older one gets, the more important it becomes to share one’s life experiences with others--to mentor and prepare the next generation of leaders and servers. As John Maxwell wrote, "there is not a success without a successor."

On the other hand, if we are not, as well, looking to find those who can speak into our lives and asking them to do so, even if it costs us considerable money and time, then we are not acting as wisely as we should.

There will always be far fewer wise people to get wisdom from then those we can give wisdom to. All that means is that we have to work at finding mentors for ourselves with more diligence.

Application/Confession: I have three men who are seasoned and very wise leaders that I get together with regularly. I don’t want to ever stop doing so. They are an immensely valuable asset to me and to my ministry.

PRAYER: Lord, expand my influence. May others walk with me and become wiser but may I, as well, always be looking for those you would give to me to make me more of a wise leader.