WISDOM IS THE PRINCIPAL THING
Wisdom is the principal, chief or main asset to possess in life. If you lack wisdom, you are still poor regardless of your material possessions in life. All that you may possess in life is nothing if wisdom is lacking.
Solomon states, “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding.” (Prov. 4:7 NKJV).
Why is it better to have wisdom than to have money?
The Scripture reveals,
“For wisdom is a defense as money is a defense, but the excellence of knowledge is that wisdom gives life to those who have it.” (Eccl. 7:12 NKJV).
“Wisdom is better than strength.” (Eccl. 9:16 NKJV).
“Wisdom is better than weapons of war.” (Eccl. 9:18 NKJV).
Divine wisdom is priceless or invaluable!
The Scripture amply attests to this truth.
Job 28:15-18 – NKJV
15 It cannot be purchased for gold, Nor can silver be weighed for its price.
16 It cannot be valued in the gold of Ophir, In precious onyx or sapphire.
17 Neither gold nor crystal can equal it, Nor can it be exchanged for jewelry of fine gold.
18 No mention shall be made of coral or quartz, For the price of wisdom is above rubies.
The rewards, proceeds or fruits of wisdom are incalculable!
Proverbs 3:13-15 – NKJV
13 Happy is the man who finds wisdom, And the man who gains understanding;
14 For her proceeds are better than the profits of silver, And her gain than fine gold.
15 She is more precious than rubies, And all the things you may desire cannot compare with her.
Therefore, it is a sheer foolishness to esteem and seek after gold above divine wisdom!
It is indeed wisdom for us to agree with the Scripture that it is “much better to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.” (Prov. 16:16 NKJV).
But then we may ask:
How is wisdom more precious than gold or money?
How are the proceeds of divine wisdom better than the profits of silver, and her gain than that of fine gold?
Let us explore the Scripture so that we may see from God’s perspectives!
First, Wisdom is a tree of life.
Gold, silver or precious gems cannot give life to those who find, possess, or hold them. But divine wisdom gives life to all those who find, possess or take hold of it.
Solomon testifies about wisdom, “She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, and happy are all who retain her.” (Prov. 3:18 NKJV).
Therefore, he admonishes, “My son, let them not depart from your eyes-Keep sound wisdom and discretion; So they will be life to your soul And grace to your neck.” (Prov. 3:21-22 NKJV).
“Take firm hold of instruction, do not let go; Keep her, for she is your life.” (Prov. 4:13 NKJV).
Second, Wisdom preserves life and gives peace to all those who find and retain it.
Gold and silver cannot prolong life or give peace. But wisdom prolongs life and gives peace to anyone who esteems, loves, and keeps it.
Solomon testifies, “Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.” (Prov. 3:17 NKJV).
Therefore, he admonishes “Get wisdom! Get understanding! Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth. Do not forsake her, and she will preserve you; Love her, and she will keep you.” (Prov. 4:5-6 NKJV).
When you seek, find, know and walk in the way of wisdom, the Scripture assures that, “When you walk, your steps will not be hindered, and when you run, you will not stumble.” (Prov. 4:12 NKJV).
The Scripture also assures, “Then you will walk safely in your way, and your foot will not stumble. When you lie down, you will not be afraid; yes, you will lie down and your sleep will be sweet.” (Prov. 3:23-24 NKJV).
Third, Wisdom attracts grace and glory to all those who love and keep it.
When you exalt divine wisdom, it will see to your exaltation or promotion in life. When you embrace wisdom, it will bring honour to you. When you esteem or value wisdom, it will deliver enduring riches to you.
Solomon states, “Length of days is in her right hand, In her left hand riches and honor.” (Prov. 3:16 NKJV).
You cannot be a failure in life when you receive, obey and follow instructions of wisdom.
Proverbs 4:7-9 – NKJV
7 Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding.
8 Exalt her, and she will promote you; She will bring you honor, when you embrace her.
9 She will place on your head an ornament of grace; A crown of glory she will deliver to you.
However, anyone who desires to seek after, find or get divine wisdom in life has three major challenges to overcome.
What are these challenges?
First, Divine Wisdom is priceless:
The wisdom that comes from above cannot be purchased with money, or choice gold and silver, or any precious gems.
Job 28:15-18 – NKJV
15 It cannot be purchased for gold, Nor can silver be weighed for its price.
16 It cannot be valued in the gold of Ophir, In precious onyx or sapphire.
17 Neither gold nor crystal can equal it, Nor can it be exchanged for jewelry of fine gold.
18 No mention shall be made of coral or quartz, For the price of wisdom is above rubies.
What then is the price of divine wisdom?
Second, Divine Wisdom is transcendental:
God’s wisdom does not reside anywhere on this earth.
Job 28:12-14 – NKJV
12 “But where can wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding?
13 Man does not know its value, Nor is it found in the land of the living.
14 The deep says, ‘It is not in me’; And the sea says, ‘It is not with me.’
Where then is the place of divine wisdom?
Third, Divine Wisdom is hidden or concealed:
Job 28:21-22 – NKJV
21 It is hidden from the eyes of all living, And concealed from the birds of the air.
22 Destruction and Death say, ‘We have heard a report about it with our ears.’
How then does wisdom reveal itself?
Before you set out to seek for wisdom – to know the price, the place, or the way wisdom reveals itself – it is wise to first know what or who wisdom is.
It is sheer foolishness to set out seeking everywhere for something you won’t recognize when you see, find or meet.
What or who is Wisdom?
The wisdom from above (the wisdom of God) is not an abstract, a fiction, an idea or a concept. Neither is it a formula nor a phenomenon.
God’s wisdom is a divine personality!
The Scripture clearly presents Jesus Christ as the wisdom of God!
1 Corinthians 1:23-24, 30 – NKJV
23 But we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness,
24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
30 But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God–and righteousness and sanctification and redemption.
Paul also presents Christ as One, “in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” (Col. 2:3 NKJV).
Therefore, anyone who is seeking for divine wisdom must bear it in mind that what he will find is not a fiction but a person, not an abstract but Christ, not a concept but a Lord, not a phenomenon but a personality, and not an idea but a divine being.
What then is the price of God’s Wisdom?
How much does Jesus Christ – the Wisdom of God worth?
How much can you pay God to send His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to reveal God to you and offer Himself as an atoning sacrifice for your sins on the cross?
God’s Wisdom is priceless; not for sale!
God’s Wisdom is a gift of God to all mankind!
God has made His Wisdom available at no cost to all mankind because we can never afford to purchase or procure God’s Wisdom.
Job 28:15-18 – NKJV
15 It cannot be purchased for gold, Nor can silver be weighed for its price.
16 It cannot be valued in the gold of Ophir, In precious onyx or sapphire.
17 Neither gold nor crystal can equal it, Nor can it be exchanged for jewelry of fine gold.
18 No mention shall be made of coral or quartz, For the price of wisdom is above rubies.
It costs absolutely nothing – no monetary, intellectual, moral or spiritual worth – to receive Jesus Christ in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
Paul states, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.” (Eph. 2:8 NKJV).
The Wisdom of God is available to all mankind as the gift of God!
Where then is the Place of Wisdom?
The wisdom that comes from above is not found in a place but in a Person, in Jesus Christ.
The Scripture describes Jesus Christ as the Person “in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” (Col. 2:3 NKJV).
The fullness of God dwells in Jesus Christ!
Paul testifies, “For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell.” (Col. 1:19 NKJV).
The Wisdom of God dwells in Jesus Christ in full measure. He is the fountain of divine wisdom. Therefore, no one can seek and find God’s Wisdom in full measure unless he receives and surrenders to the lordship of Jesus Christ.
Paul states, “But God has given you a place in Christ Jesus, through whom God has given us wisdom and righteousness and salvation, and made us holy.” (1 Cor. 1:30 BBE).
God has given us His wisdom in and through Jesus Christ. Therefore, if you have Jesus Christ reigning in you as the King, you are carrying God’s Wisdom within you, for in Christ are “hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” (Col. 2:3 NKJV). Praise God!
God’s Wisdom is hidden in the born-again spirits of the believers. Therefore, one of the spiritual responsibilities of the Church stated in the Bible is to make known the manifold wisdom of God to the world and even to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places (Eph. 3:10).
Although every born-again believer has all the treasures of divine wisdom hidden is his born-again or recreated spirit, yet not all believers are appropriating, enjoying, or manifesting God’s Wisdom.
How do you draw from the treasures of divine wisdom within you to handle life’s issues or challenges?
You can draw from, explore, exploit or harness the divine treasures of wisdom and knowledge at your disposal in two primary ways.
First, by renewing your mind according to God’s truths in the Bible:
The Bible is the divine and perfect revelation of God’s mind, will, and counsel to mankind. It is the written Wisdom of God to all men.
Therefore, when you begin to prayerfully, diligently and constantly read, study, listen to, imbibe and meditate in God’s Word, your mind will be renewed, your eyes of understanding will be enlightened, and you will be thoroughly furnished with the wisdom of God to overcome challenges of life.
Psalms 19:7-8 – NKJV
7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul; The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple;
8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.
Psalms 119:98-100 – NKJV
98 You, through Your commandments, make me wiser than my enemies; For they are ever with me.
99 I have more understanding than all my teachers, For Your testimonies are my meditation.
100 I understand more than the ancients, Because I keep Your precepts.
Reading, studying, listening to, imbibing and meditating in the Scripture will make you wise for salvation – for victory over all adversaries and adversities in life (2 Tim. 3:14-17).
You are operating in divine wisdom when you abide in the teaching of Jesus Christ and regard, exalt or esteem the word or teaching of Jesus Christ as the final authority over all issues of life.
It is foolishness to exalt any man’s word, teaching, vision, dream or prophecy above the written word or teaching of Jesus Christ (Heb. 1:1-3).
Paul admonishes you to “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” (Col. 3:16 NKJV).
Second, by walking in the Spirit:
You are drawing from the hidden treasures of God’s Wisdom when you allow the Holy Spirit to lead, guide, and direct you. You operate in divine wisdom by obeying the voice and prompting of the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit is presented and described in the Bible as “the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD.” (Isa. 11:2 NKJV).
Beloved, as a believer in Christ, all the hidden treasures of God’s Wisdom are now available within you (in your born-again spirit).
Therefore, begin to explore and appropriate this priceless gift by renewing your mind with God’s Word and by following and obeying the voice and leading of the Holy Spirit.
Stop leaning on your own understanding; rather, begin to operate in God’s Wisdom by following and obeying God’s Word and Spirit.
Proverbs 3:5-7 – NKJV
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding;
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.
7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and depart from evil.
When you begin to walk in divine wisdom, the wisdom that is from above, you will begin to live right and thus “become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.” (Philip. 2:15 NKJV).
A right life or conduct is an evidence of operating in God’s Wisdom!
James writes, “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.” (Jam. 3:17 NKJV).
If you are truly walking in God’s Wisdom, your speech and conduct will show it!
James admonishes, “Which of you is a wise and well-instructed man? Let him prove it by a right life with conduct guided by a wisely teachable spirit.” (Jam. 3:13 WNT).