Worth of Wisdom

Something I never understood as a child was the comments made to me after a spanking, “We are doing this because we love you,” said my parents.  I remember thinking, “If you love me then why do you spank me?”  The LORD says this to his children as well, “My son, do not despise the LORD’s discipline or be weary of his reproof, for the LORD reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights” (Proverbs 3:11-12).  Though it is hard to think of discipline as love when you are in the midst of it, that is exactly what it is.

Lynn Deshazo wrote the words and music to “More Precious than Silver” in 1982 which say, “Lord, You are more precious than silver; Lord, You are more costly than gold; Lord, You are more beautiful than diamonds; And nothing I desire compares with You.”  These words sound much like what Solomon wrote about wisdom, “Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding, for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold.  She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her” (Proverbs 3:13-15).  Even though the song is singing about the Lord and the Proverb is discussing wisdom, the two seem to go hand-in-hand.

Wisdom is not limited to a select few in society.  Wisdom is not biased towards who can obtain it.  Wisdom has so much to offer those who care to have her.  Solomon wrote, “Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor.  Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.  She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her; those who hold her fast are called blessed” (Proverbs 3:16-18).  The Christian life can be enjoyable and peaceful when we have this wonderful gift that our Lord offers freely.  We will never be in want with wisdom, but all our necessities can be found. 

You may know someone whom you consider to be wise.  Do not neglect to spend time with and talk to that person about their life.  The adage says, “You are what you eat.”  Well, you will reflect whom you spend time with.  Are you spending time with the prudent or the foolish?  What is wisdom worth to you?