Proverbs 13:17
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A wicked messenger falleth into mischief: but a faithful ambassador is health.
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It is a wicked sin to betray the confidence and trust of those who give you an assignment. The prosperous functioning of society depends on men discharging their duties with diligence and integrity. Wicked men get distracted and fail their commitments. But faithful men make sure they complete the job, and they are a benefit to all concerned.
If you send a sluggard on an errand, his laziness will irritate you. Solomon wrote, "As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to them that send him" (Pr 10:26). If you send a fool, you are begging for damage. Solomon also wrote, "He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage" (26:6).
Faithful men bring prosperity to deals. They are health to the transaction, rather than the mischief of wicked messengers. Confidence in knowing a man will finish a job right is a blessing. Solomon wrote, "As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to them that send him: for he refresheth the soul of his masters" (25:13).
Before email, telephones, and mail, messages were sent from individuals and nations by couriers and ambassadors. Wicked men did not take it seriously, and they would not deliver the message accurately or on time. They would fall into mischief on the way, easily distracted by many temptations. Faithful ambassadors could be counted on to get the message conveyed accurately and on time. Private and national prosperity was served.
God's saints should have impeccable reputations before the world, as did Joseph and Daniel (Gen 41:38-40; Dan 6:1-5; I Tim 6:1; Titus 2:9-10). When given an assignment, they should seek to exceed every expectation in keeping it (22:29; Rom 12:11; Ep 6:5-9).
God chose preaching to send truth to men. Most preachers are wicked messengers, who fall into mischief and do not tell His Word accurately. There were many, even in Paul's day, which corrupted the Word of God (II Cor 2:17; 11:3-4, 13-15; Phil 3:18-19; I Jn 4:1). And this evil trend was going to get worse in the last days (I Tim 4:1-3; II Tim 3:6-7; 4:3-4; II Pet 2:1-2). Timothy was rare, having Paul's concern for the churches (Phil 2:19-21).
Ministers must be ordained cautiously (I Tim 3:1-13; 5:22). They must be faithful men (I Cor 4:1-2; II Tim 2:2; Titus 1:6-11), who will not be distracted with this world (II Tim 2:4). They must give themselves wholly to their work (I Tim 4:13-16). They must handle the Scriptures honestly (II Cor 4:2) and with much study (II Tim 2:15). When churches have faithful ambassadors, they will have spiritual health (Neh 8:1-12; I Tim 4:15-16).
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