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not for kings

Proverbs 31:1-9 (JDV).

Proverbs 31:1 The words of King Lemuel, an utterance that his mother taught him:
Proverbs 31:2 What should I say, my son? What, son of my womb? What, son of my vows?
Proverbs 31:3 Don’t spend your energy on women or your roads on those who destroy kings.
Proverbs 31:4 It is not for kings, Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine or for rulers to desire beer.
Proverbs 31:5 Otherwise, he will drink, forget what is decreed, and pervert justice for all the oppressed.
Proverbs 31:6 Give beer to one who is dying and wine to one whose throat is bitter.
Proverbs 31:7 Let him drink so that he can forget his poverty and remember his trouble no more.
Proverbs 31:8 Speak up for those who have no voice, for the justice of all who are dispossessed.
Proverbs 31:9 Speak up, judge righteously, and defend the cause of the oppressed and needy.

not for kings

The advice that King Lemuel got from his mother is good advice for any of us who want to make a difference with the few days of life we have. We should not waste our time and energy on distractions that keep us from helping others. The dying and the embittered can search for life in these places, but not us kings. Instead, we should use our energy and time helping those who have no voice.

Of course, one could always claim to be in that number, and use this proverb as an excuse for wasting what little he has. Truth is, many of us are pretty short on talents. Which is precisely why we should not bury our one talent in the sand.