TEXT:
‘Get wisdom! Get understanding! Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding’ (Proverbs 4:5,7).
When we look at what we have and own, it’s important to remember how we obtained it. Hindsight is a wonderful teacher but usually is powerless to change what’s happened. We get the wrong thing or what’s right, but go about it the wrong way and end up regretful but have to live with the consequences.
This can be especially true when buying using finance. Long after the novelty of the purchase has evaporated, and it may not be used anymore or even working, we continue to pay for it. The widely promoted advert “Buy now, pay later!” has brought many to financial ruin as the money lenders demand repayment in full plus interest.0
So what can help us to make right decisions at the right time, when we live in an uncertain and unpredictable world? The answer is WISDOM! Today’s Teaching focuses on three aspects to do with God’s wisdom.
1. Priority – ‘Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom’
The Bible says, ‘Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and men’ (Luke 2:52). This verse is my continual prayer and expectancy for Jenny in her role as Generous Giving and Living Advisor. I believe she has wisdom and favour to help the three hundred plus Anglican churches in Cornwall adopt biblical principles of generosity, both financially and with an evangelistic lifestyle.
We all know where to buy everyday products, but where can we find wisdom? One of the easiest places to look is in the Bible, which is God’s pattern for living.
How quickly this world would change for the better if everyone obeyed the two commandments Jesus declared were the most important, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself’ (Matthew 22:37-39).
The Bible says about wisdom:
‘For wisdom is better than rubies, and all the things one may desire cannot be compared with her’… My fruit is better than gold, yes, than fine gold … Blessed is the man who listens to me’ (Proverbs 8:11, 19, 34).
Millions of posts and podcasts are made every day. Why not read and listen to the only wise God? The Psalmist summed it up like this, ‘Therefore all Your precepts concerning all things I consider to be right’ (Psalm 119:128).
2. Prosperity – ‘That I may cause those who love me to inherit wealth, that I may fill their treasuries’ (Proverbs 8:21)
Without wisdom it’s all too easy to empty the bank account, but here is a promise of prosperity when we go about things God’s way. This truth shines through when honouring God with our finances, ‘It is possible to give away and become richer! It is also possible to hold on too tightly and lose everything. Yes, the liberal man shall be rich! By watering others, he waters himself’ (Proverbs 11:24-25 TLB).
There are only two places we can store up our treasure, on earth or in heaven. We have to leave every bit of earthly wealth behind when we die. We cannot take the least thing with us, but treasure in heaven awaits us intact and unspoilt, ‘Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal’ (Matthew 6:19-20).
Not only can wisdom result in material and spiritual wealth, it can also enhance our education and life skills as the following scriptures make clear.
- ‘Rebuke a wise man, and he will love you’ (Proverbs 9:8). Appreciation of constructive criticism and correction, rather than a foul-mouthed response to it.
- ‘Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser’ (Proverbs 9:9). Not a “know it all” reaction but a realisation that one can always learn something new.
- ‘For whoever finds me (Wisdom) finds life and obtains favour and grace from the Lord’ (Proverbs 8:35 APC). Wisdom helps to make the right choices that God can bless.
- ‘Through wisdom a house is built’ (Proverbs 24:3). Are we in the construction or destruction business concerning our home life? Do we build it up or pull it down by unwise decisions and behaviour?
- ‘The lips of the righteous feed many, but fools die for lack of wisdom’ (Proverbs 10:21). With God’s wisdom we choose life eternally.
3. Poverty – ‘If any of you lacks wisdom’ (James 1:5)
Another version renders it, ‘If you want to know what God wants you to do, ask him, and he will gladly tell you, for he is always ready to give a bountiful supply of wisdom to all who ask him’ (James 1:5 TLB)
Poverty is lacking the basic necessities of life and the same is true spiritually.
- When we do not know what to do, there is always Someone who does
God can personally tell us what to do, use wise people to advise us or highlight Bible verses to direct us. We will know when we are making right choices by the presence of God’s peace. ‘Let the peace of Christ [the inner calm of one who walks daily with Him] be the controlling factor in your hearts [deciding and settling questions that arise]’ (Colossians 3:15 AMP)
- All we have to do is ask in faith – ‘Let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind’ (James 1:6)
How simple is that? Anyone can ask, but it takes humility to admit one does not have all the answers. All God wants when He gives us wisdom is for us to act on it.
So in whatever area of life you lack wisdom, start asking. You will be so thankful that God is interested enough in you to answer!
In Part 2 we will study the wisdom God gave to Solomon.
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