It can often seem like the best policy is to mind our own business! Who wants to hear what we think anyway? Better to simply worry about yourself and allow others to make their own decisions, and mistakes. However, the reality is that God made us to be interdependent. We need one another. Furthermore, God gave us wisdom, not solely for ourselves, but also so we could share it. Our challenge is to discern which people want to receive what we have to offer and which ones are better left to their own folly.
Some people scoff at the presumption that you know something that they do not. They consider it demeaning for you to suggest an alternative to what they already are thinking or doing. Some people are so insecure that any helpful suggestion is viewed as a threat to their self-worth. Others prefer talking to listening.They cannot stop speaking long enough to listen and learn something new. What’s worse, if you offer these people sound advice, you will make them your enemy. They feel that you insulted them or looked down upon them. To them, this is the greatest of sins. So now they will seek every opportunity to criticize you or to demonstrate that you do not know as much as you let on. Rather than heeding your counsel, they steel themselves to adamantly refute the truth of what you said.
If everyone were like this, it would be wise to never proffer advice to anyone. But there are those who truly want to better themselves. These people are humble enough to seek counsel. They desire a mentor. They know they have much to learn and they do not want to make mistakes in the areas of their life that matter most. It is a joy to walk with such people! So don’t become selfish with your accumulated wisdom and hoard it for yourself. But neither waste it on those who will only be offended by what you say. Seek those with open and wise hearts and invest generously in them.