Introduction
The word “Wisdom” is an abstract noun just like love, justice and hate. But we can recognize it by its operations, dealings and applications. In its operations, dealings and applications, wisdom affects our total person. It affects our will, intellect, emotions, spirit, soul and body. For instance, Proverbs 29:11 says, “A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control.” This means it takes wisdom to control the emotion – anger. It also takes wisdom to control one’s behaviour in the public (Proverbs 17:28) and one’s speech always (Proverbs 16:23).
The value of wisdom is simply the worth and importance one attaches to it. It is important to note that not everyone values wisdom. Proverbs 1:7b says, “fools despise wisdom and discipline.” The value of wisdom is the benefits it brings its possessors and mankind at large.
The true value of wisdom is incomparable because of the following reasons:
1. The true value of wisdom far exceeds every precious metals like gold, silver and rubies treasured by men (cf Proverbs 3:13-15a). The Scripture says, “nothing you desire can compare with her” (Proverbs 3:15b).
2. Unlike the other precious metals that are valued in terms of material possessions, wisdom brings its possessors more than material blessings. Ecclesiastes 7:12 declares that, “Wisdom is protection just as money is protection. But the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the lives of its possessors” (NASB). Furthermore, the possession of wisdom is the guarantee of blessings. Proverbs 3:18b declares, “those who lay hold of her [wisdom] will be blessed.” Money and its accomplices do not guarantee true happiness but wisdom is the guarantee of true happiness. The King James Version of Proverbs 3:18b says, “happy is everyone that retaineth her [wisdom].”
3. Unlike the other precious metals that are gotten from under the earth and processed by men, the location of wisdom is above the earth and beyond the reach of mankind and all other creations (Job 28:1-12,20-22). Only God understands the way of wisdom and knows its location (Job 28:23).
Wisdom is incomparable in value. Job says,
It cannot be bought with the finest gold, nor can
its price be weighed in silver. It cannot be bought with
the gold of Ophir, with precious onyx or sapphires.
Neither gold nor crystal can be compare with it, nor can
it be had for jewels of gold. Coral and jasper are not
worthy of mention; the price of wisdom is beyond
rubies. The topaz of Cush cannot compare with it; it
cannot be bought with pure gold. [Job 28:15-19].
This means wisdom is priceless and incomparable. How then can we value wisdom? According to Jesus in Luke 7:35, wisdom is valued by her children [her fruits]; that is, its benefits to its possessors and mankind.
In this teaching on the value of wisdom, I’ll focus on only eight benefits of wisdom to its possessors. These are:
1. Wisdom bestows life and blessings on its possessors. Proverbs 3:18 asserts that, “[Wisdom] is a tree of life to those who embrace her; those who lay hold of her will be blessed.” The question is: What kind of life and blessings does wisdom bestow on its possessors? The description: “She is a tree of life…” tells us what kind of life wisdom bestows. First, it is eternal life (Genesis 2:9; 3:22). Second, it is an overcoming life – the life of God (Revelation 2:7). Third, it is a fruitful and healthy life (Revelation 22:2). Fourth, it is a life of purity and freedom (Revelation 22:14). Fifth, it is a life of longevity (Proverbs 3:16a).
What about the blessings that wisdom bestows? They are riches and honour (Proverbs 3:16b), enduring wealth and prosperity (Proverbs 8:18-21).
2. Wisdom exalts and honours its possessors. Proverbs 4:8 asserts, “Esteem her, and she will exalt you; embrace her and she will honour you.” Ahithophel and Hushai are examples of men whose wisdom distinguished and separated them from their colleagues.
Here is a brief of Ahithophel’s resume:
• He was king David’s counselor (2 Samuel 15:12a; 1 Chronicles 27:33a).
• His advice was like that of one who inquires of God that is, like God’s oracles (2 Samuel 16:23).
• He was a giver of good advice (2 Samuel 17:14).
• His presence in any meeting or place is a booster (2 Samuel 15:12b).
• His presence in Absalom’s conspiracy threatened David more than any that he prayed for God to turn his counsel into foolishness (2 Samuel 15:31) and immediately planted a counter in the person of Hushai (2 Samuel 15:32-34).
Read more www.practicalexaltation.blogspot.com
The word “Wisdom” is an abstract noun just like love, justice and hate. But we can recognize it by its operations, dealings and applications. In its operations, dealings and applications, wisdom affects our total person. It affects our will, intellect, emotions, spirit, soul and body. For instance, Proverbs 29:11 says, “A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control.” This means it takes wisdom to control the emotion – anger. It also takes wisdom to control one’s behaviour in the public (Proverbs 17:28) and one’s speech always (Proverbs 16:23).
The value of wisdom is simply the worth and importance one attaches to it. It is important to note that not everyone values wisdom. Proverbs 1:7b says, “fools despise wisdom and discipline.” The value of wisdom is the benefits it brings its possessors and mankind at large.
The true value of wisdom is incomparable because of the following reasons:
1. The true value of wisdom far exceeds every precious metals like gold, silver and rubies treasured by men (cf Proverbs 3:13-15a). The Scripture says, “nothing you desire can compare with her” (Proverbs 3:15b).
2. Unlike the other precious metals that are valued in terms of material possessions, wisdom brings its possessors more than material blessings. Ecclesiastes 7:12 declares that, “Wisdom is protection just as money is protection. But the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the lives of its possessors” (NASB). Furthermore, the possession of wisdom is the guarantee of blessings. Proverbs 3:18b declares, “those who lay hold of her [wisdom] will be blessed.” Money and its accomplices do not guarantee true happiness but wisdom is the guarantee of true happiness. The King James Version of Proverbs 3:18b says, “happy is everyone that retaineth her [wisdom].”
3. Unlike the other precious metals that are gotten from under the earth and processed by men, the location of wisdom is above the earth and beyond the reach of mankind and all other creations (Job 28:1-12,20-22). Only God understands the way of wisdom and knows its location (Job 28:23).
Wisdom is incomparable in value. Job says,
It cannot be bought with the finest gold, nor can
its price be weighed in silver. It cannot be bought with
the gold of Ophir, with precious onyx or sapphires.
Neither gold nor crystal can be compare with it, nor can
it be had for jewels of gold. Coral and jasper are not
worthy of mention; the price of wisdom is beyond
rubies. The topaz of Cush cannot compare with it; it
cannot be bought with pure gold. [Job 28:15-19].
This means wisdom is priceless and incomparable. How then can we value wisdom? According to Jesus in Luke 7:35, wisdom is valued by her children [her fruits]; that is, its benefits to its possessors and mankind.
In this teaching on the value of wisdom, I’ll focus on only eight benefits of wisdom to its possessors. These are:
1. Wisdom bestows life and blessings on its possessors. Proverbs 3:18 asserts that, “[Wisdom] is a tree of life to those who embrace her; those who lay hold of her will be blessed.” The question is: What kind of life and blessings does wisdom bestow on its possessors? The description: “She is a tree of life…” tells us what kind of life wisdom bestows. First, it is eternal life (Genesis 2:9; 3:22). Second, it is an overcoming life – the life of God (Revelation 2:7). Third, it is a fruitful and healthy life (Revelation 22:2). Fourth, it is a life of purity and freedom (Revelation 22:14). Fifth, it is a life of longevity (Proverbs 3:16a).
What about the blessings that wisdom bestows? They are riches and honour (Proverbs 3:16b), enduring wealth and prosperity (Proverbs 8:18-21).
2. Wisdom exalts and honours its possessors. Proverbs 4:8 asserts, “Esteem her, and she will exalt you; embrace her and she will honour you.” Ahithophel and Hushai are examples of men whose wisdom distinguished and separated them from their colleagues.
Here is a brief of Ahithophel’s resume:
• He was king David’s counselor (2 Samuel 15:12a; 1 Chronicles 27:33a).
• His advice was like that of one who inquires of God that is, like God’s oracles (2 Samuel 16:23).
• He was a giver of good advice (2 Samuel 17:14).
• His presence in any meeting or place is a booster (2 Samuel 15:12b).
• His presence in Absalom’s conspiracy threatened David more than any that he prayed for God to turn his counsel into foolishness (2 Samuel 15:31) and immediately planted a counter in the person of Hushai (2 Samuel 15:32-34).
Read more www.practicalexaltation.blogspot.com
