Proverbs 3:14
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For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.
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Wisdom and understanding are better than silver and gold. Solomon gave an inspired priority for your life. The business and pursuit of wisdom and understanding are superior to the business and pursuit of silver and gold. Does your life reflect this divine order of things? Or have you bought the world's lie that financial prosperity is important?
Wisdom and understanding are under consideration (3:13). Wisdom is more important than wealth, as it is more precious than rubies and superior to anything else you can desire (3:15). What is merchandising? It is the business of buying and selling for profit, which creates an economic and financial comparison with wisdom and understanding.
Wisdom is right judgment - knowing what action pleases God in any situation. Understanding is right discernment - grasping circumstances and their implications and consequences. By single and plural pronouns, God indicated wisdom and understanding can be synonyms (3:13-14; 4:5,7-8; 7:4-5; 8:1-2; 17:28), for wisdom includes understanding (8:14), and an understanding man has wisdom (10:23; 14:33; 17:24).
Wisdom and understanding are easy for any man! They begin with a sincere and reverent fear of God (1:5; 9:10). It is developed by humble submission to the written and preached word of God (Ps 19:7; 119:98-100; Col 1:28). And the Lord will give it liberally to those who ask (Ps 119:18; Jas 1:5). What hinders you from being wise? The love of money?
Compare the pursuits of money and wisdom. America no longer pays silver and gold, though promising to do so in the Constitution (I:10). Therefore, simple paper money must suffice. What did Paul warn? The love of money is the root of all evil, a temptation and a snare, the cause of foolish and hurtful lusts, and the source of many sorrows, which drown men in destruction and perdition (I Tim 6:6-10). Money keeps men from wisdom!
Are you more joyful at getting a raise or finding a jewel in God's word? You spend many hours in a profession, but do you spend many minutes searching Scripture? Are you as punctual and energetic about studying the Bible as you are in your job? You talk to others about your work, how about Scripture? You tell friends when you see a good opportunity for employment or business, but do you also tell them about a great verse you found?
"Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding" (4:7). "Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding" (23:23). What will you do this very day to rearrange your priorities?
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