Tag Archives: Wisdom

Treasure Hunting

November 2, 2019 ,

Proverbs 2

My wife, Cheryl, and I enjoy exploring antique shops and gift stores looking at all of the treasures they hold.  Each person walks through the store and identifies with something that they find valuable.  It doesn’t necessarily need to be the most expensive thing in the store, but it provokes an emotional trigger, encouraging us to inspect the item further.

We are told in Proverbs 2 that we should seek out wisdom as a hidden treasure.  The more we seek it out the more we will find it.  When we find wisdom, it enters our hearts and our souls, and preserves us, keeping us from evil.  The author goes on to describe the path of the wicked, and the results of going in that direction…not a pretty picture!

In James 4 we are told that wars come from our desires for pleasure and seeking after the wrong treasures.  The harmony of Proverbs 2 and James 4 resides in knowing that we can find the greatest fortune in seeking wisdom and submitting ourselves to God.

The result of following those instructions is found in verses 21 & 22 of our text:

For the upright will dwell in the land, and the blameless will remain in it; but the wicked will be cut off from the earth, and the unfaithful will be uprooted from it.

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Wisdom & Knowledge

November 1, 2019 ,

Proverbs 1

There are many seeking knowledge, but they mistakenly believe they will find it by participating in discussions with others. While there is something to learn through discussion, it is dangerous to enter a discussion unarmed. The best way to gain wisdom, is to listen. Proverbs 1:5 – 6 tells us:

A wise man will hear and increase learning, and a man of understanding will attain wise counsel, ​​To understand a proverb and an enigma,​​ The words of the wise and their riddles.

When we want to learn, we attain wise counsel, and then we LISTEN to their advice.

There are plenty who would give us bad counsel, because they haven’t learned from God, but by following others who have evil motives behind their actions and advice. They don’t mind hurting others for personal gain. But their gain is fleeting. That’s why verse 19 tells us:

So are the ways of everyone who is greedy for gain; it takes away the life of its owners.

There are many greedy for gain in our world today. It’s a shame, because there isn’t much time left for this world! That’s why we should spend more time listening and learning, than speaking and arguing. Wisdom will come when we listen, and pray over what we hear.

Be careful who you listen to. Is it “worldly wisdom” you are hearing, or godly wisdom? When it’s godly wisdom, we can rest secure in what v.33 tells us:

But whoever listens to me will dwell safely, and will be secure, without fear of evil.”

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