Growing in the Word. In today’s study, we are going to bundle together six verses. Quantity does not always ensure quality but in this instance I believe that it will. One stick of dynamite is sure to get the job done but six sticks tied together will go above and beyond the desired effect. We are going to soak and saturate our heart, mind and eyes in and upon six powerful verses that I hope will breathe new life into our understanding as it pertains to true wealth and riches. Monetary riches can be a wonderful thing as long as the money doesn’t own the man or woman. Spiritual wealth and riches does not bring with it the baggage that far too often accompanies monetary gain. When ones spiritual wealth is based and built upon the foundation of God’s Word, your heavenly portfolio will paint a picture of Christlikeness. The riches will be pleasing to God and a blessing to those around you.
Solomon wrote “My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; Yea if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God” (Proverbs 2:1-5). This is an invitation that will make one wise and wealthy at the same time. That invitation is extended today as well. Let’s begin.
“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. She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her. Length of days is in her hand; and in her left hand riches and honour. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to them that lay ahold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.”
Proverbs 3:13-18
I. The Happy Man
Verse 13
Happy (blessed) will be the person who first finds wisdom. Many look and search for days and years on end for a way to live a blessed life. I am quite certain that wisdom has been shown to many and they turn their head and run in the other direction to get away from the very thing they are searching for. Those who heed wisdom’s call, they will be blessed. It sounds so simple, yet I myself ran for years from that which would have led me to happiness. Why is there happiness in such wisdom? It comes from God. Man’s deductions and philosophies are marred in the miry clay of his sin. They are formed on the potter’s wheel of iniquity. That which doesn’t have its origin from God will lead one further from the truth and nowhere near the blessed life. Proverbs 23:23 says, “Buy the truth and sale it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.” There is not one investment that can give such a rich return as when one invests in God’s Word. That person will be happy. After wisdom is found, we need to grab ahold of it and let it take ahold of us. We must not just simply and lazily look upon it, but we should drill deep into it and plumb its bountiful depths and gain understanding. From wisdom we gain understanding and when understanding is married to application, we grow in the Word of God and live out the way and will of God; all this is worked out through God the Holy Spirit, but we must come to the Word of God.
II.The Rich Man
Verses 14-16
I know many people who are rich in possessions and position. They are well known, they are highly thought of. Recognized by many, but known by few. Their possessions help define their position. Nothing is out of their reach. They seem restless and relentless in their pursuit of joy and happiness. They seem to have it all, yet the pursuit never seems to end in their quest to find some kind of meaning in their lives. The inward storm of their souls is outwardly played out in the constant revolving door of new possessions and the unquenchable desire for another new position. These people in God’s economy are paupers. No amount of silver and no amount of fine gold compares to the riches one gains from the wisdom and understanding that is gleaned from God’s Word. I believe that the Christian will find true contentment in the wealth of knowing that their sins are forgiven and that they know beyond a shadow of a doubt that they have peace with God (Romans 5:1.) With this truth as an unshakeable foundation, the born again will see their heavenly portfolio expand as they spend more and more time in the Word of God. They will come to understand and embrace that what they have is more precious than rubies and anything (I mean anything!) that they could ever desire.
The benefits of wisdom and understanding are pictured as one who holds out blessings in both hands. The right hand holds, ‘Length of days.’ I Timothy 4:8 says, “For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.” The left hand holds, ‘Riches and honor.’ Remember the riches of rubies and gold are not to be compared to the gain that is found in wisdom and understanding. Many Christians will never find their names on list of the top wealthy people in the world, but God will provide for them in the here and now in a powerful way, monetarily as well as materially. Not only are riches found in the left hand but honour as well; a double portion of goodness and blessing. Proverbs 8:18 plainly states, “Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness.” The main thrust of Proverbs eight speaks of God’s wisdom, understanding, instruction and knowledge. It is amazing how God’s Word from one verse to another will bear witness to the truths of God’s Word. I would much rather have honour that comes from God than the honour that has its origin in one’s self and man alone.
III. The Peaceful Man
Verses 17-18
The Bible says, “Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of transgressors is hard” (Proverbs 13:15.) I have often alluded to the fact that God’s Word often times gives us examples and illustrations of two different roads or two different paths, and teaches us what we can expect to find on those roads and paths we choose to take. The ways of the transgressors is hard, but the ways of those who find wisdom and get understanding, and don’t miss this, and retains them, there is happiness. What are the attributes of such a person, pleasantness and peace? The quality of life will be far greater and meaningful for the one who travels the way that God’s Word leads. Let’s allow God’s Word to solidify our understanding when it comes to the pleasantness and peace that awaits us as we travel God’s way.
Light- “For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life” (Proverbs 6:28.)
Life- “For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the Lord” (Proverbs 8:35.)
Health- “For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all flesh” (Proverbs 4:22.)
I never knew or was acquainted with peace or pleasantness that had any lasting power to it before I was saved. The path that one takes as they allow God’s precepts and instruction to be their guide is full of peace and is satisfying in its pleasantness for those who choose to tread down the way of the Lord. It is not free of trials and tribulations, but one is strengthened and sustained as they go about their way. Let this sink in, “She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her.” Life, true life, sustaining life, an empowered life, awaits those who take hold of the wisdom and understanding that is available in the Word of God. This all leads back to where we began our study, “Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.”
Solomon wrote “My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; Yea if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God” (Proverbs 2:1-5). This is an invitation that will make one wise and wealthy at the same time. That invitation is extended today as well. Let’s begin.
“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. She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her. Length of days is in her hand; and in her left hand riches and honour. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to them that lay ahold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.”
Proverbs 3:13-18
I. The Happy Man
Verse 13
Happy (blessed) will be the person who first finds wisdom. Many look and search for days and years on end for a way to live a blessed life. I am quite certain that wisdom has been shown to many and they turn their head and run in the other direction to get away from the very thing they are searching for. Those who heed wisdom’s call, they will be blessed. It sounds so simple, yet I myself ran for years from that which would have led me to happiness. Why is there happiness in such wisdom? It comes from God. Man’s deductions and philosophies are marred in the miry clay of his sin. They are formed on the potter’s wheel of iniquity. That which doesn’t have its origin from God will lead one further from the truth and nowhere near the blessed life. Proverbs 23:23 says, “Buy the truth and sale it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.” There is not one investment that can give such a rich return as when one invests in God’s Word. That person will be happy. After wisdom is found, we need to grab ahold of it and let it take ahold of us. We must not just simply and lazily look upon it, but we should drill deep into it and plumb its bountiful depths and gain understanding. From wisdom we gain understanding and when understanding is married to application, we grow in the Word of God and live out the way and will of God; all this is worked out through God the Holy Spirit, but we must come to the Word of God.
II.The Rich Man
Verses 14-16
I know many people who are rich in possessions and position. They are well known, they are highly thought of. Recognized by many, but known by few. Their possessions help define their position. Nothing is out of their reach. They seem restless and relentless in their pursuit of joy and happiness. They seem to have it all, yet the pursuit never seems to end in their quest to find some kind of meaning in their lives. The inward storm of their souls is outwardly played out in the constant revolving door of new possessions and the unquenchable desire for another new position. These people in God’s economy are paupers. No amount of silver and no amount of fine gold compares to the riches one gains from the wisdom and understanding that is gleaned from God’s Word. I believe that the Christian will find true contentment in the wealth of knowing that their sins are forgiven and that they know beyond a shadow of a doubt that they have peace with God (Romans 5:1.) With this truth as an unshakeable foundation, the born again will see their heavenly portfolio expand as they spend more and more time in the Word of God. They will come to understand and embrace that what they have is more precious than rubies and anything (I mean anything!) that they could ever desire.
The benefits of wisdom and understanding are pictured as one who holds out blessings in both hands. The right hand holds, ‘Length of days.’ I Timothy 4:8 says, “For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.” The left hand holds, ‘Riches and honor.’ Remember the riches of rubies and gold are not to be compared to the gain that is found in wisdom and understanding. Many Christians will never find their names on list of the top wealthy people in the world, but God will provide for them in the here and now in a powerful way, monetarily as well as materially. Not only are riches found in the left hand but honour as well; a double portion of goodness and blessing. Proverbs 8:18 plainly states, “Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness.” The main thrust of Proverbs eight speaks of God’s wisdom, understanding, instruction and knowledge. It is amazing how God’s Word from one verse to another will bear witness to the truths of God’s Word. I would much rather have honour that comes from God than the honour that has its origin in one’s self and man alone.
III. The Peaceful Man
Verses 17-18
The Bible says, “Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of transgressors is hard” (Proverbs 13:15.) I have often alluded to the fact that God’s Word often times gives us examples and illustrations of two different roads or two different paths, and teaches us what we can expect to find on those roads and paths we choose to take. The ways of the transgressors is hard, but the ways of those who find wisdom and get understanding, and don’t miss this, and retains them, there is happiness. What are the attributes of such a person, pleasantness and peace? The quality of life will be far greater and meaningful for the one who travels the way that God’s Word leads. Let’s allow God’s Word to solidify our understanding when it comes to the pleasantness and peace that awaits us as we travel God’s way.
Light- “For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life” (Proverbs 6:28.)
Life- “For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the Lord” (Proverbs 8:35.)
Health- “For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all flesh” (Proverbs 4:22.)
I never knew or was acquainted with peace or pleasantness that had any lasting power to it before I was saved. The path that one takes as they allow God’s precepts and instruction to be their guide is full of peace and is satisfying in its pleasantness for those who choose to tread down the way of the Lord. It is not free of trials and tribulations, but one is strengthened and sustained as they go about their way. Let this sink in, “She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her.” Life, true life, sustaining life, an empowered life, awaits those who take hold of the wisdom and understanding that is available in the Word of God. This all leads back to where we began our study, “Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.”
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