Wisdom…Life With Benefits!

As people are considering which job to take, one of the more important questions is “does it come with benefits?”  We all want the benefits of insurance or retirement or something else.  In this next section of chapter 3 we read of some of the many benefits to wisdom.  If we plan our lives around the “to do” list we just read, we will reap these benefits.  Let’s read verses 13-20:

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.  16 Length of days is in her right hand,
In her left hand riches and honor. 17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness,
And all her paths are peace.  18 She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her,
And happy are all who retain her.  19 The Lord by wisdom founded the earth;
By understanding He established the heavens;  20  By His knowledge the depths were broken up,
And clouds drop down the dew.

First we see that the man who finds wisdom and understanding will be happy.  Why?  Because wisdom has “benefits”!  Wisdom is better than money and precious stones.  We are told in verse 16 that length of days are in her right hand and riches and honor in her left.  This is a general principle.  Those who are wise in a culture which has wealth, are often wealthy and healthy.  Again, not always, but often, and surely more often than those who are not wise.  Wisdom is compared to a tree of life.  In verses 19 and 20 we are reminded that it is the Lord who is the source of wisdom.  He is the way to wisdom.  Wisdom has many benefits.

In wisdom,
Eric