Thoughts on the topic of money from the book of wisdom
The book of Proverbs has much to say about the topic of money. Very much! So many verses that I have created categories that will help me focus on particular topics related to money, such as worth of money, value of money, effect of money, greed for money and money and the Lord.
Let’s dive into the wisdom of Proverbs for a few moments.
In our first post on the topic of money, I had an extended introduction on the intangible assets such as instruction, knowledge, understanding and wisdom that is compared with money in the proverbs, along with a short discussion on each of these intangible assets. I also tried to define the difference between worth and value in the first post. If there is interest in this topic, please see Proverbial Thoughts on Money / Instruction.
Otherwise, our topic in this post is money in relation to wisdom.
3 Worth of Money
Worth Less than Wisdom
Proverbs 23:23 Buy truth, and do not sell it; buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding.
As it is with knowledge and instruction, wisdom far outweighs the worth of money. Whether Solomon is referring to money when he speaks of “buying” truth, and “not selling” truth, the image of money comes is immediate for myself.
Of course he may be describing the efforts of staying under instruction (see Proverbial Thoughts on Money / Instruction) and the tasks of accumulating knowledge (See Proverbial Thoughts on Money / Knowledge). Either way, he is directing us to take things of some worth, be it our time or our possessions, and use them to acquire wisdom.
But we all know that money in the hand of a fool will not acquire wisdom, instruction or godly knowledge, yet it seems the image of money in this passage must be speaking of something of earthly worth. Something that may be tangible in the hands of a God fearing man, that can be used to increase his instruction, knowledge and eventually wisdom. Given that understanding, we all know we exchange one commodity for a more favorable commodity. No one buys rotten apples! (Except for a compost heap, but let’s avoid the exception to this thought!)
So as he speaks of buying wisdom, he is declaring that money (or effort) is a tool to acquire wisdom, and not necessarily more money, which seems so popular in today’s culture!
Proverbs 16:16 How much better to get wisdom than gold! To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.
Proverbs 16:16 speaks the same message, declaring wisdom much better than gold! Much better!
As we go through this life, and learn from the Master, the lessons available to us are far beyond the worth of some possessions that will be stripped from us in the near future. Wisdom, instruction and knowledge are intangible assets we may acquire and find tremendous benefit in as we serve the One who provides these very tools!
Proverbs 24:14 Know that wisdom is such to your soul; if you find it, there will be a future, and your hope will not be cut off.
I mentioned the acquiring of more money with money in today’s society, and that the big sell on TV, radio and the internet is financial planning, retirement planning, investments and such. As this is pushed in advertising I am constantly remined that those pushing this upon us have a vested interest in gaining our business.
My personal opinion is that we need to prepare our families for the future, exercising the very wisdom (not greed) offered us in this passage.
One instance that come to mind, as mentioned in an earlier posting (see Conditional Security – 1 Timothy 5:5-8), I understood that insurance was a method that would assist a poor man to provide for his family in the future in the event of his going home. Prior to that experience with the Word, I considered my refusal to purchase that option as an expression of faith, of great trust in the One who can provide. When I read the above passage, wisdom came flooding in, pride took a dowsing, and I did what was right for my family.
Wisdom is required to give us a future. As we venture through this life, keep your eyes open in the Scriptures for that very wisdom we need, the wisdom that may take time to acquire through the experience of receiving instruction, and that of accumulating knowledge.
Remember that our pilgrimage is more of a marathon than a a sprint race. We need to seek it continually, patiently asking Him for wisdom, that we may find it and therefore secure a future for our soul.
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Thanks again for coming to visit. I hope you found something of interest in this post and would appreciate a comment, to begin a discussion.
Considering the Bible 
2 responses to “Proverbial Thoughts on Money/Wisdom”
This is great! thanks for releasing this book.
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Thanks for reading.
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