Health, Wealth and Prosperity, Oh My!

Proverbs 8

"Those who love me inherit wealth. I will fill their treasuries." – Proverbs 8:21 NLT

Wow, what a verse! This is what I like to call a coffee mug passage. It's one of those kind of verses we like to read, and love to claim as a promise from God. Here we have wisdom making a pretty mind-blowing offer of wealth and riches, honor and justice. Who wouldn't want to sign up for that offer? It's like the American dream all wrapped up in one verse and found smack dab in the middle of Scripture. If I were a TV evangelist, this would be my signature verse. But is the promise of health, wealth and prosperity what this verse is all about? Upon closer examination we discover that the answer is a simple, yet resounding, NO. Yes, this passage does seem to say that those who find the wisdom of God will also find riches and honor, not to mention enduring wealth and justice. But here's the problem. We tend to want to interpret this verse based on our working definitions of riches, honor, and enduring wealth. And as far as justice goes, we'll gladly take it, but we would much rather have the other three. If I read this passage through my worldly lens of materialism and monetary blessings, I hear it offering me everything from power and possessions to recognition and financial rewards. But we have to take all this in context. A few verses earlier in the chapter, wisdom states, "Choose my instruction rather than silver, and knowledge rather than pure gold. For wisdom is far more valuable than rubies. Nothing you desire can compare with it" (Proverbs 8:10-11 NLT). What wisdom offers is more valuable than any precious metal or rare jewel. Then just a few verses later, wisdom says, "My gifts are better than gold, even the purest gold, my wages better than sterling silver!" (Proverbs 8:19 NLT). So the riches, honor, and enduring wealth must have to do with something other than money or financial rewards of any kind. When wisdom states, "Those who love me inherit wealth. I will fill their treasuries" (Proverbs 8:21 NLT), it must not be talking about cash and coins. No, the enduring wealth that comes with the wisdom of God is something of an eternal nature. When we learn to fear God and love His wisdom, the gain far more than monetary in nature. A little later in the same chapter, wisdom clarifies and qualifies the benefits it offers. "for all who follow my ways are joyful" (Proverbs 8:32b NLT). "Joyful are those who listen to me, watching daily for me at my gates, waiting for me outside my home!" (Proverbs 8:34 NLT). The real value of a life lived in the fear of God and in total dependence on the wisdom of God is clear. "For whoever finds me finds life and receives favor from the Lord" (Proverbs 8:35 NLT). Now that is something you can bank on – for eternity – no matter what happens to the economy.

Father, You have filled my life with so much more than anything money could ever buy. May I increasingly discover the value of a life lived according to Your will and in keeping with Your wisdom. Help me to see the real value of godly joy and the peace of living within Your favor and love. That's truly priceless. Amen

A Prized Possession.

Proverbs 7

"Keep my commands so that you may live, and obey my instruction as your most prized possession." – Proverbs 7:2 NET

We value a lot of things in life. Sometimes it's the small things, like a good cup of coffee. But we can also value more important things like our freedom or health. The problem is that we tend to treat them all the same way. We can get so used to having them that we no longer truly value them as we should because we never really believe we run the risk of losing them. Many of these things are privileges or blessings that we have turned into rights. We think we deserve and are entitled to good health just like a good cup of coffee. We can't imagine not being in good health or having our freedom. So we take them both for granted. We can do the same thing with the wisdom of God. He has given us instruction and insight into every aspect of life. He has placed His Spirit within us to provide us with not only the ability to understand His Word, but the power to obey it. He has placed us within the Body of Christ, His Church, so that we might have the encouragement and examples we need to live according to God's commands. But if we're not careful, we can take it all for granted.

The wisdom God offers is vital for life. It is not just an add-on or an available option. It is a non-negotiable necessity for living life well. Which is why we should make the wisdom of God our most prized possession. Over and over in Proverbs, we are told to hide the wisdom of God in our hearts. "Bind them on your forearm; write them on the tablet of your heart" (Proverbs 7:3 NET). Over in Proverbs 2, we are told that if we cry out for insight from God, if we ask for understanding from God, if we search for them like silver and seek for them like hidden treasure, then we will understand what is right, just, and fair. We will find the right way to go. "For wisdom will enter your heart and knowledge will fill you with joy" (Proverbs 2:10 NLT). It is when the wisdom of God makes the short trip from our heads to our hearts that we truly begin to benefit from all that it has to offer. We gain the insight, understanding, commons sense, and discretion we need to live life well. But we have to treasure the wisdom of God and make it our most prized possession. We can't afford to take it for granted or view it as some kind of entitlement. "Love wisdom like a sister; make insight a beloved member of your family. Let them protect you…" (Proverbs 7:4-5 NLT).

Father, I value a lot of things in life, but I also take far too many of them for granted. What I truly value, I should be willing to fight for, die for, expend all my energy for. May your wisdom be my greatest, most prized possession. Help me to understand and appreciate just how valuable a gift it really is. Amen