The Book of Proverbs is continually speaking of Wisdom and the value of seeking and heeding it. Today's reading does so clearly! Proverbs 8, 8-11:
8 All the words of my mouth are righteous (upright and in right standing with God); there is nothing contrary to truth or crooked in them. 9 They are all plain to him who understands [and opens his heart], and right to those who find knowledge [and live by it]. 10 Receive my instruction in preference to [striving for] silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold, 11 For skillful and godly Wisdom is better than rubies or pearls, and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.
The difference between Godly Wisdom and worldly foolishness is so very plain to those who truly desire Wisdom! We must continue to seek, for the purpose of obeying, the Wisdom, knowledge and understanding of the Word of God. So many people strive for wealth, riches and success, when seeking God's Wisdom is so much more valuable! BY this Wisdom, we learn how to appropriate all that the Word of God promises concerning wealth, riches and success! Contrary to what most 'religious' Christians have been taught, being poor and unsuccessful is NOT Godly in any way shape or form! It brings great glory to God when we are successful in what we do THROUGH HIM! When we operate in the general Wisdom of the Word and the specific guidance of Holy Spirit Who lives in us, our success points solely to HIM and He is glorified! The admonition against riches in the Word of God is not to let riches become your god and your priority! It is NOT money and riches that are evil, but the LOVE of those things! Putting them before the Lord our God and making getting them our all consuming goal is where the sin lies. Verses 17-19 explain this further:
17 I love those who love me, and those who seek me early and diligently shall find me. 18 Riches and honor are with me, enduring wealth and righteousness (uprightness in every area and relation, and right standing with God). 19 My fruit is better than gold, yes, than refined gold, and my increase than choice silver.
Getting Wisdom is BETTER than getting just riches because Wisdom will cause us to go about getting riches in the right and Godly way, where we can be confident that will not lose them! Two verses in the New Testament that bear this out are John 10:10 and 3 John 2:
10 The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).
2 Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in every way and [that your body] may keep well, even as [I know] your soul keeps well and prospers.
It is by soul prosperity, through Godly Wisdom, that we obtain wealth and health! God's desire for us is to have, AND ENJOY, His life in us in all of the fullness that is available from our Source in Heaven! According to HIS riches! You know, the One Who owns the cattle on a thousand hills and ALL of the silver and gold! He is a most generous LORD Who is jealous over us! Keep HIM as your #1 priority and your first and deepest LOVE and you cannot out-give Him! HALLELUJAH! Here is Hillsong Worship with "Look To The Son":
Salvation
Tearing through the dead of night
See the kingdom burst into colour
At the speed of light
Freedom
Shaking up the atmosphere
As the shadows fade into nothing
As the day appears
Beyond the skies above
Love reaching out for us
The Everlasting One
Jesus our God
We look to the Son
Set our eyes on our Saviour
See the image of love
Sing His praises forever
Creation
Waking up to kingdom come
See the hope of heaven
Shining like the rising sun
Now forever
Lifted up from death to life
There’s no fear in love
And no darkness in His endless light
