Monday Proverb

Proverbs have tremendous cultural value here and matching local proverbs with key scriptures is a wonderful tool to starting a conversation about the Gospel.

Wolof proverb:

Nit ku nekk àddina war na bàyyi xel nawleem.

(translation) Everyone in this world had better pay attention to his or her peer.

“You shall not covet your neighbor's house. You shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.” Exodus 20:17 NIV

In this example, the Wolof proverb and scripture are in sharp contrast. The local mindset is very much set on "keeping up with the Jonses". It seems somewhat appropriate for the Christmas season that we remind ourselves to set our minds on Christ and not the material aspects of the holiday.

Reprinted in part with permission from "Wisdom of the Wolof Sages: A Collection of Proverbs translated and explained in English" by Dr. Richard Shawyer (c) 2009