Wisdom is more precious than rubies. Proverbs 3 9-18 Day 29, Jan 29 | Anita Mathias: Dreaming Beneath the Spires

Wisdom is more precious than rubies.

^{Proverbs 3}

⁹ Honor the LORD with your wealth,

with the firstfruits of all your crops;
¹⁰ then your barns will be filled to overflowing,
and your vats will brim over with new wine.

Many who have tried this, including I myself, can testify that it is true.

It has been narrowly interpreted to mean give to one’s church, but that, of course, is not what it says.

It says honour God by giving some of your wealth to his purposes, to things that he would like.

And the poor are on God’s heart. His word is on God’s heart. Your local church is also on God’s heart, but giving to it should be balanced with giving to those in desperate need.

¹¹ My son, do not despise the LORD’s discipline,

and do not resent his rebuke,
¹² because the LORD disciplines those he loves,
as a father the son he delights in.

One way of showing our love and care for our children is by disciplining them.
Similarly, God does put us through seasons of discipline to develop strength of character in us. He also rebukes us through punishing circumstances so that we can stop, drop and repent.

He does this because he is relentless in seeking to develop strength of character in us.

¹³ Blessed are those who find wisdom,
   those who gain understanding,
¹⁴ for she is more profitable than silver
   and yields better returns than gold.
¹⁵ She is more precious than rubies;
   nothing you desire can compare with her.

¹⁶ Long life is in her right hand;
   in her left hand are riches and honor.
¹⁷ Her ways are pleasant ways,
   and all her paths are peace.
¹⁸ She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her;
   those who hold her fast will be blessed.

Wisdom: the knowledge of God, the fear of God, the knowledge of his ways, good sense, is worth more than silver, gold and rubies.
It is to sought after in preference to silver, gold and rubies. In preference to wealth.

Wisdom bestows wealth in normal circumstances. The converse is not true.

Conducting one’s life in a wise way, in accordance with divine wisdom gives one riches, and honour, and a long life.
One’s life is likely to be pleasant and peaceful.
For wisdom, like a tree, gives shade and fruit.
Those who cleave to her are blessed.