Wealth vs. Wisdom

There is a belief that if we have enough currency, our lives would be complete. If we had serious wealth, then all our problems would go away. Well maybe not all of them, but because of the domino effect, it would seem like they all would go away.

Let me explain - if we had a lot of money, or gold or silver, we could:

• pay off our debts - credit cards, student loans, car loans, parent's loans and even the mortgage - imagine that! (burden lifted)
• have an emergency fund if our car breaks down or our sump pump breaks (burden lifted)
• put money into a savings account to pay for our children's college education (burden lifted)
• pay for all those extras you never knew about when you dreamed of having children - braces, swing sets, travel soccer, mission trips (burden lifted)
• take an annual family vacation or two, which would draw the family closer together because of memories created (burden lifted)
• buy a reliable car (ooh, I like that!)
• run the air conditioner all summer rather than just on days over 95 and set my furnace higher than 60 (luxury...)
• be more creative in our menu planning because you could buy food at will (burden hardly there)
• replace clothes when the trends change, not when the decade changes (feeling much lighter)
• give more to the Lord (burden all but gone)
• sleep better at night because there is more room in the bed with that burden gone (Mmmm...sweet sleep)

See how that works? If financial pressure is lifted, life is much better. We can wrap our minds around logic like this, right?

Well, what does God say about this subject?

• How blessed is the man who finds wisdom and the man who gains understanding. For her profit is better than the profit of silver and her gain better than fine gold. She is more precious than jewels; and nothing you desire compares to her. Proverbs 3:13-15
• Take my instruction and not silver, and knowledge rather than choicest gold. For wisdom is better than jewels; and all desirable things cannot compare with her. Proverbs 8:10,11
• I love those who love me; and those who diligently seek me will find me. Riches and honor are with me, enduring wealth and righteousness. My fruit is better than gold, even pure gold, and my yield better than choicest silver. I walk in the way of righteousness, and in the midst of the paths of justice, to endow those who love me with wealth, that I may fill their treasuries. Proverbs 8:17-21
• How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen above silver. Proverbs 16:16
• A good name is to be more desired than great wealth, favor is better than silver or gold. Proverbs 22:1

Proverbs is a book about wisdom and in the above verses you can see that God values wisdom above wealth. He says that the answer to life's problems does not lie in silver or gold, but in wisdom. And of course, the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom - not just knowing about God, but respecting Him to the point of obedience - this is the recipe for a rich, full life.

Now, the question to you is this: do you believe this?

Sin has gotten us into the financial bind that has become the burden in our lives. Whether sin has caused a circumstance (the fallen world creates trials) or a consequence (a choice you have direct responsibility for), because of it, we suffer. If we had followed the wisdom of God earlier, we would not be in this mess, right? But God promises that at any given time we can change our ways, abandon our paths and walk in His light, observing His ways, growing in His wisdom. Then and only then will your life take a turn for the best.

If you don't believe me, take a close look at those who have money but not wisdom. Celebrities and athletes provide more than enough examples.

Lives do not get better with money - they get better with Jesus. This is not Kristen saying this - this is God's wisdom.

So what will you do with this nugget of wisdom today?