Wisdom is Itself a Treasure

Proverbs 3:13-18:

13 Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding,

14 for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than old.
15 She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her.
16 Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor.
17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.
18 She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her; those who hold her fast are called blessed.

Proverbs has mentioned before that wisdom can bring practical benefits like favor with man and a longer life. But Godly understanding is an object worthy of pursuit all its own.

Rebellious Children

Proverbs 3:11-12:

11 My son, do not despise the LORD’s discipline or be weary of his reproof,

12 for the LORD reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights.

So often we flee from what is good for us and chase after what is not. We see this clearly in young children. Like God, we discipline a child because we care about them. We are held to the highest standard because we are held in the highest regard.

God and Money

Proverbs 3:9-10:

9 Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce;

10 then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.

I once heard someone say that if you want to see where someone's priorities are, look at their bank account. Do they long for nice things, financial safety, or something greater? We are to give God our best, not what is left over after life's bills are paid. The larger question for me is this: does honoring the Lord with our wealth mean giving to the church, giving to the local community, giving to the internationally needy? Perhaps this is where Godly discernment comes in.

In God We Trust

Proverbs 3:5-8:

5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.

6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
7 Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil.
8 It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.

Trusting in God means not trusting in yourself. A scary thought for a nation that prides itself on personal responsibility. This makes sense when you realize that your own intelligence, your own perception of reality often fails.

Favor with God and Man

Proverbs 3:3-4

3 Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart.

4 So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man.

Commitment to caring and loyalty should be remembered, but also obvious to everyone. Following the advice in the Bible will clearly please the Lord, He is the author after all. However, life as laid out in the Bible will also help one gain favor and success in the eyes of man. Of course this is not guaranteed, but most people get ahead in life with honesty, trustworthiness, hard work, loyalty, etc.

Practical Benefit of Wisdom

Proverbs 3:1-2

1 My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments,

2 for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you.

There is an interesting promise here. It literally says that the wisdom that comes from listening to God's instruction will extend your the length of you life. This seems logical when you think about all the problems that can arise from making bad decisions. From accidents to your health, wisdoms has it's practical benefits.

Promised Land

Proverbs 2:20-22

20 So you will walk in the way of the good and keep to the paths of the righteous.
21 For the upright will inhabit the land, and those with integrity will remain in it,
22 but the wicked will be cut off from the land, and the treacherous will be rooted out of it.

The promise of land here hints at the promise we all have of eternal life. However, the Old Testament doesn't fully clarify who will be there. It is not those who keep the paths of the righteous, but those who are credited with those paths. No one is upright but Jesus Christ, it is here who pleads our way into the promised land.