Wise Snoopy

There is precious treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish man swallows it up.

SNOOPY AND WOODSTOCK, two-year-old boxers, looked very much alike, yet acted very differently.

Snoopy, whose black muzzle distinguished him from his white-muzzled brother, was rarely without a stuffed toy in his mouth. He loved his toys and was surprisingly gentle with each one.

That was not true for Woodstock.

It seemed as though Woodstock’s mission was to destroy every toy he was given. Within minutes of receiving a new plush toy, Woodstock would rip it open and begin frantically pulling out the insides. Soon, the floor would be covered in white fuzz.

Meanwhile Snoopy would gingerly carry his new toy around—being careful to avoid his brother, who was still eviscerating his.

What amused Adam and Lisa, the duo’s owners, was how Woodstock—without fail—would finish gutting his toy and then run to Snoopy, wanting his. Snoopy would give a warning growl to his brother and turn away, keeping his fully intact toy safe in his mouth.

Woodstock would often whine and yip for several minutes before returning to his shredded toy.

One evening after tearing apart a toy donut and then unsuccessfully trying to convince Snoopy to share his, Woodstock picked up a scrap of his flat donut and lay beside Snoopy.

Lisa couldn’t help but laugh at the scene in front of her. One dog held a donut stuffy in his mouth while also guarding two other stuffed toys under his belly, and the other lay in the middle of a pile of fuzz, holding the remnants of a toy in his teeth.

“Oh, Woody,” Lisa teased. “When are you gonna learn?”

Woodstock raised an eyebrow as she began to clean up the mess.

She had a feeling that look meant never!

PAWS & PONDER . . .

In what ways do you tend to “swallow up” your treasures? Is this Proverb referring only to monetary treasures? What other kinds of treasure might apply? What are some practical ways you can guard yourself against insisting on instant gratification or using up the resources God gives you?

Paws & Pray

Lord, guide me to know how and when to use the resources you have given me. Give me strength to gather and save my treasures. Father, I want to save wisely, be more generous, and honor you with what you have entrusted to me.

If you become wise, you will be the one to benefit.