Key Verse
“Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold” (Proverbs 8:10).
Text: Proverbs 8:9-14
If the Omniscient God is the repository of all knowledge and wisdom, we must also concede to Him the infallibility of all His counsel. And He says that where man finds himself at a crossroads of choosing between His instructions and gold and silver, we should not hesitate to go for the former. Lasting wisdom and knowledge derived from heaven must displace transient silver and gold.
The priceless teaching from our Lord is clear: “Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold. For wisdom is better than rubies, and all things that may be desired are not to be compared to it”. The affairs and conduct of life are driven by the power of knowledge, wisdom, and understanding. These create wealth we employ in various enterprises. But the Lord is interested in the source of our knowledge and wisdom. It must be from His flawless instructions as we locate them in the Bible, not in the carnal philosophy and barren doctrines of man. These worldly teachings are as circumscribed as their limited givers sold completely on materialistic goals. They root man to this world, not allowing for the heavenly vision he needs to connect to his God for steady spiritual growth and preparation for eternity with Him.
As we receive God’s counsel, He wants it to have a meaningful and practical impact in our lives such that we would use our presence in society to re-orient the people’s priorities from an idolized dependence on riches to full trust in Him and His promises. We should teach a man to “seek… first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things (wealth, fame, popularity, good health, security, etc.) shall be added…” (Matthew 6:33).
True wisdom demands that we fear God and keep His commandment.
Thought for the day
There’re treasures money can’t buy – like knowing God.