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Today we read a parable concerning the company we keep. Who or what is a foolish person a picture of? It is a picture of those who are unsaved. In Luke 12, we are taught:
"And one of the company said unto him, Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me. And he said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you? And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God. " (Luke 12:13-21).
Note that we are told to depart from an individual when we sense "not in him the lips of knowledge"; this means when we perceive they are bringing false doctrine. A heretic will never grow weary of fighting and a true child of God, no matter how mild a temper will be provoked. Furthermore, much time will be wasted that could be put to better use, namely doing God's will or praising Him! In Psalm 111 we read:
"He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever." (Psalm 111:9,10).
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