Wisdom–what’s it worth to ya?

Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom:

and with all thy getting get understanding.

Proverbs 4:7

It is plain to see from the words of Solomon here in Proverbs chapter 4 that wisdom had great value to him. Solomon was, after all, one of the wisest men that ever lived. But what gives wisdom such a high value? Why is it that we are told to seek after it with such a strong desire? Well, the Bible has some things to say about it that gives us an idea of just what wisdom is worth. Let’s take a look.

Wisdom has a value that cannot be measured. It is priceless.

It cannot be valued with the gold of Ophir, with the precious onyx, or the sapphire.

(Job 28:16)

Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.

(Proverbs 3:13-14)

For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.

(Proverbs 8:11)

In these three sections of scripture, wisdom is compared to the value of precious stones and metals. And in each comparison the result is the same. There is no comparison. Wisdom’s value was so much higher than those things that it would be silly to place it on a scale with any of these things. The scale would always tip in the direction of wisdom. This goes counter to today’s thinking. We have become a society that places great value on things. The more you have, the more you are worth. And while that may be true on this earth and to those that don’t know Christ, it simply is not, and should not, be true of those that do. We as Christians must place a higher value on gaining wisdom than on gaining all that the world has to offer. Why? Because the wisdom we can gain from God has an eternal value while anything you can get from the world will not last. Jesus said “Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.” (Luke 21:33 )

 

Wisdom lays an immovable foundation.

In Matthew 7, Christ tells of two men. One of them built his house on a rock and the other built his house on the sand. The one who built his house on the rock was called wise. Why? When the storms of life came, his house was able to stand up to it and survive because his foundation was secure. His illustration was a picture of someone that actively heard the Word of God.God calls us to have an understanding of the Word of God and to use that understanding to navigate the storms of life. That is the very definition of wisdom.

Conclusion

So, are you  looking to be wise? If so, what kind of wisdom are you seeking? The wisdom of the world or the wisdom that is of God? One thing I can guarantee you is that troubles and trials will come. When they do, would you rather be in a house that is founded on the rock of God’s truth, or in a house founded on the sand of man’s wisdom?

Next time we will look at some characteristics of wise men. See ya then!