Proverbs 3:15-16

¹⁵She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her. ¹⁶Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor.

Disqualified

When you applied for a job, and you were denied, how did you react? Maybe you were overqualified or maybe someone was more qualified. If you’re to employ, you look for applicants suitable to the job vacancy. If you need drivers, you interview drivers, and not expert cooks, obviously. Qualification should match the required job description.

Particularly, if you’re selective, you choose a career you want to excel in. It’s very advisable to gain wisdom, understanding and experience in the area of work you wish to be employed at. If money is all you want to support your lifestyle, then, any decent job you are qualified would be sufficient for you. Many individuals may adhere to what was stated in Ecclesiastes 10:19, ¹⁹Money is the answer for everything.

Did you think like, if you’ve got million of dollars, you would be satisfied in life? Millionaires have millions of dollars but still not satisfied with their wealth. One may say, “I just want a little bit more to sustain my lifestyle and to prepare for possible crisis.” Truly, it is wise to prepare for the future. Someone said, “Enjoy life as if you only have few days left; plan your future as if you will live for thousand years!” Such concept is very impressive, but for Christians, we prioritize lifestyle that may benefit us eternally.

Society promotes luxurious outfit and latest model of high tech gadgets. Are you pressured by current trends not to be left behind by latest fashion? It’s natural for social beings to be pressured by social trend. Instinctively, social beings like to fit in socially.

Truly, it’s very acceptable to be sufficient economically wise. But to gain wisdom is far beneficial than just accumulating material things that others have hoarded.

So, why should you invest in gaining wisdom while gathering material wealth?

Wisdom is more precious than jewelries you may desire in this world, like rubies.

1.  Rubies

¹⁵She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her.

The pronoun “she” pertains to godly wisdom. King Solomon teaches that godly wisdom is more precious than any valuable gem or jewel. Rubies may have been very rare and most desirable precious stone in his generation, so that King Solomon claimed that the value of godly wisdom is much more precious than the rubies. King Solomon was very wise and wealthy. He explored anything that may have caught his curiosity, he had personally proven that wisdom is far more precious than rubies. Really?

Describing the wealth and status of Job, it declared in Job 1:3, ³He owned 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen (possibly 1,000) and 500 donkeys, and had a large number of servants. He was the greatest man among all the people of the East.

How many shepherds can take care of 7,000 sheep? Maybe 7! How many men can herd 3000 camels? Maybe 60, if one man takes care of 50 camels. That is not to mention to mention the 500 yoke of oxen which may need 500 men to drive them, and also the 500 donkeys that may have been used for carrying merchandize.

Surely, the large number of Job’s servants required much daily budget. So the livestock that Job had were mentioned but not his other wealth. Anyway, the estimated value of Job’s livestock may not be considered very significant in another generation or when compared to present day valuation, but in his generation, it has been recorded that Job was the greatest man among all people in his region.

But there’s something common among great people. What is it? Great people value wisdom to the utmost; they regard wisdom more than anything else. The wisest king of Israel was King Solomon and Job was the greatest man in his region

Here’s a declaration of greatest man in Job 28:12-19: ¹²But where can wisdom be found? Where does understanding dwell? ¹³No mortal comprehends its worth; it cannot be found in the land of the living. ¹⁴The deep says, “It is not in me”; the sea says, “It is not with me.” ¹⁵It cannot be bought with the finest gold, nor can its price be weighed out in silver. ¹⁶It cannot be bought with the gold of Ophir, with precious onyx or lapis lazuli. ¹⁷Neither gold nor crystal can compare with it, nor can it be had for jewels of gold. ¹⁸Coral and jasper are not worthy of mention; the price of wisdom is beyond rubies. ¹⁹The topaz of Cush cannot compare with it; it cannot be bought with pure gold.

Job’s declaration of wisdom could be very simple and easy to explain literally. Ordinary people could be fascinated by eloquent words of wisdom, but may not sense inspiration to observe or adhere to them. Great individuals adhere and observe words of wisdom. Do you have potentials for greatness? Pray to desire wisdom more than expensive gems like rubies. Pray that you value wisdom more than money or riches.

2.  Riches

¹⁶Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor.

The term “long life” may literally pertain to “length of day or span of life,” but, it can be interpreted also as “most cherished and enjoyable life experience.” Everyone may aspire to have gratifying life experiences. Wisdom holds “long gratifying life” in her right hand, and in her left hand, wisdom holds riches and honor as well.

With faith in God’s word, adherence to biblical words of wisdom can be realized.

Reflect: Can wisdom help us to have delightful lifestyle? Believers who esteem wisdom to the utmost would sacrifice everything just to gain godly wisdom. Those who discover and hold onto godly wisdom set their eyes on eternity, not just on temporary life. Can you agree? The Lord Jesus is the wisdom of God; he is the power of God to all who believe in him. He told a parable to explain the valuation of eternal life.

How much do you esteem your eternal life? Christ teaches in Matthew 13:45-46: ⁴⁵Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. ⁴⁶When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.

Pearls are precious. A wise merchant knows that, for sure; he knows if he profits when trading for pearls. A merchant who sells everything he had and have enough to buy the rare pearl with great value, he knows how much he would profit from it.

Similarly, if a believer knows the great value of the kingdom of God, he would certainly do everything in his ability to get into the kingdom of God and live eternally. We need godly wisdom to know the value of our eternal life. We need godly wisdom to make sure that we have personally received the gift of eternal life.

And, while waiting for the return of Christ, what should we do productively?  Personally, have you ever wished to retire at a very early age, so that you may have sufficient time, enough money and extra energy to explore your passion?

Retire Early

Someone had shared his story of what he did so that he can retire as early as forty; he is financially comfortable and still physically strong. Can you believe that?

His advice may actually sound very simple but most often ignored. He said that he chose a career where he can be expert and not just average employee. He chose to hang around successful individuals. He avoided hanging out with people who spend their money on leisure. He ignored the lure of trendy fashion. He prioritized his health intentionally because he wanted to enjoy his retirement and explore his passion in life.

Such may not be perfect example of wisdom, but at least, he persists in making his dream come true. What have you planned for yourselves in retirement years? What do you wish to do for the rest of your life while waiting for the return of Christ?

In everything we do, we need wisdom to realize our dream more than anything else. God has already prepared the good work that he wants you to explore and enjoy; on how you may get there, godly wisdom will certainly help you – that’s for sure.

Let the Spirit wisdom helps you observe whatever God reveals to you.

It says in Ephesians 1:17, ¹⁷The God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.

Better knowledge of the Lord results to better experiences of life in its fullness. Material abundance is useful, but life in its fullness is far more precious, I suppose!

><((‘> .. ><((‘> … ><(((“> tmec\2022 <“)))>< … <‘))>< .. <‘))><