Wisdom Is Wealth

“Happy [is] the man [that] findeth wisdom, and the man [that] getteth understanding. For the merchandise of it [is] better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.” (Pr 3:13-14 AV)

Sometimes this takes a lifetime to learn.  But it is true nonetheless.  Wisdom is far more valuable than all the things we might be able to attain.  The word ‘merchandise’ is interesting here.  It means to use in business in order to make a profit.  The old saying that money cannot buy happiness is certainly true.  Material goods, no matter how much, cannot buy certain things.  Wisdom, however, makes certain things attainable that money cannot buy.  With wealth comes stress.  There is anxiety over the things we have.  We must maintain them.  We must protect them.  We must store them.  With wisdom, there are no residual costs.  With material gain comes discontentment.  There is always more to have.  There is always more to gain.  With wisdom, contentment is the end of it all.  There are those who lack for nothing and yet are rarely at peace with life.  There are those who have very little and seem to enjoy life as it comes.  Furthermore, things have their limits.  Throwing money at something does not always fix it.  There are investments with great returns that don’t cost a dime.  Wisdom, and not material things, has the greatest return.

I was reminded of this recently.  While sitting at a table over a simple cup of coffee, there was more ministry accomplished than an entire program tailored solely for an individual.  We notice this while we do our work for the LORD in many ways.  Every summer we have a large VBS in a public park.  It takes many hands and a good chunk of resources.  Yet without follow-up, there seems to be no return.  What matters to people?  It is not the large programs we put on.  It is not the many different venues a soul might explore.  It is the single individual who spends just a small amount of time caring for the hurting soul.  It is the listening ear and feeling heart that sees return on their investment.  Knowing what to say and how to say it pays dividends far beyond patronization with much goods.

The older I get, the more I realize just how true this proverb is.  Over the last decade or so, the LORD has been teaching me skills in listening.  It is hard for a preacher to listen and not speak.  That is our calling.  We are supposed to offer a bit of knowledge that will help in a situation.  However, there are times when nothing needs to be said.  There are times when the hurting soul already knows what he or she needs to know.  They simply need someone to listen.  There is greater pleasure in silence than there is in speaking words that may not be needed.  Wisdom can accomplish many things that a bank account cannot.  Life is not about how much one can gain.  When we pass, it all stays here.  Life is about what we can accomplish for the LORD.  Wisdom is the currency.