Proverbs 27:8
"As a bird that wandereth from her nest, so is a man that wandereth from his place."
The shelter of the bird is its nest. Oftentimes a bird will build its nest in a location that their enemy cannot get to. Every time the bird wanders from its nest, it is putting its life in danger for it is away from the protection of its nest.
God uses this illustration to teach us that a man who wanders from his place is in danger. A young person doesn't get into sin while they are at home, but they get into sin when they are away from home. Adults don't get themselves into trouble when they are away from the protection of their home. The reason they get into trouble is because when they are away from home they will allow themselves to do things they wouldn't do when they are around their family. Home is where you find protection, and if you don't want to get into trouble, you would be wise to stay close to home. This is an important principle in many areas. Let me explain the areas and its importance.
First, be careful when you are away from your personal home. As we've already discussed, there are many things a person will get themselves into that they normally would not do if they were around their family. Because of this, you would be wise to set up precautions to guide you when you are away from home. One of the most important precautions you can make is to be sure you are not out late when away from home. Many people get into trouble away from home when it is late at night. Make it your habit to stay in late at night when you are away from home.
Second, spiritually you need to stay close to home. Many people compromise when they stray from the principles of the Word of God. In other words, don't meet with people who don't believe like you. You will find that they can sway your thinking. Many times a compromiser is not a rude person, but they are very personable and have learned the art of swaying others to them with their personality. Stay close to your home church and the Word of God, and don't explore other beliefs that are different from yours.
Third, in the business world you need to stay close to home. Many businesses get themselves into trouble when they start trying to do something for which they are not known. For instance, a restaurant that sells burgers would be wise to stay in the burger business. If that is from where their success came, then that is where they will stay successful. Many business go bankrupt because they get away from what made them successful in the first place. They didn't mean to go bankrupt, but they simply strayed from what they knew as a business.
Fourth, stay close to home with what you know. I do believe it is good to continually learn, but it is bad to delve into an area about which you know nothing. Simply, don't give advice or explore opportunities in areas where you have no knowledge. Your safety is found in those areas where you are knowledgeable.
Christian, many of the heartaches we find ourselves in are in areas where we strayed from our nest. Always remember that home is where your safety is found. Stay close to home, and be extra careful when you find yourself away from the home in any area of life.