Choose my instruction over silver, knowledge rather than gold,
for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her.
Prov. 8:10
What Do You See?
As I look around at the cars in the parking lot, I see some big price tags. Walk into some houses not far from where I live and you’d wonder – “Wow… If these people are spending according to Proverbs 8, they must be really wise! After spending their silver and gold on knowledge, they’ve got enough left over to buy a fleet of fine horses and a majestic castle!”
Now, this isn’t a slam on anyone living in a 3,000, 4,000, or even 6,000 square foot home. It’s just a gut check for all of us – I understand with all the free sermons, Christian radio, cheap books and free bible tools out there that the price of wisdom is probably at an all time low. But, we do need to look at our checkbooks and calendars from time to time and do a “post mortem” on where we’ve spent it all:
Measuring Up
Jesus told us “where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Mt. 6:21)” So, let’s ask ourselves – are we on track? Do our hearts belong to heaven or to the world? This week, did I spend on “eat, drink, and be merry” or on knowing God and dining on His wisdom? Sure, we’ve got eternity to be in His presence, but what we can take with is us knowledge, wisdom, and character – and I believe those things qualify us for greater eternal positions than the temporary trappings we love so much here.
The Rub
It’s easy for me, any of us, in this “zero down/free shipping/better/faster/upgrade” culture to get caught up in moving up. But, if all we move up in is what we wear, drive, use, etc., to the neglect of wisdom, what do we truly gain? Everything we spend time or money on is building for us an eternal inheritance. We’re either investing in eternity or making withdrawals. How often do we think of that at the checkout counter/”click here to complete purchase” page?
You can tell a lot about a woman by what’s in her purse. But, even more about a man by where he spends his time and money. James told us to be in the world, but not of it. What evidence does my checkbook and calendar provide that I belong to an eternal King and eternal kingdom rather than this world, which will soon pass away?
I’m not exempt. You’re not exempt. Let’s be accountable to one another.
in it with you,
AP