Wisdom from Proverbs

Scripture: Proverbs 22:1-4 (NIV)

A good name is more desirable than great riches;

to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.

² Rich and poor have this in common:

The Lord is the Maker of them all.

³ The prudent see danger and take refuge,

but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.

⁴ Humility is the fear of the Lord;

its wages are riches and honor and life.

 

Devotion:

           

            The proverbs gathered above seemingly are disjointed. However, verse four sums up the other three nicely. As I have written before, it bears repeating here. Pride is the sin of the age. Certain kinds of pride are acceptable. Pride in a job well done, for example, is perfectly legitimate. However, this kind of pride is scarce these days. And the humility advocated in verse four is often looked down upon as a sign of weakness.

           

            The other verses offer their witness to wisdom. Verse one speaks of a good name as being desirable. On the other hand, keeping a name good requires self-control and discipline. Nothing is more appalling than a fool who dishonors the good name of his ancestors. Still better than having an earthly good name is, however, having one's name written in the book of life in heaven. Those who achieve that are more blessed than anyone with a good name here on earth but no heavenly inheritance.

 

            The writer then points out that God makes some people wealthy in worldly goods and allows others to be poor. Since the Lord made them all, they are all image-bearers of their creator. All people have nothing to boast about other than the fact that God created them and will one day judge them on how they used the talents and treasures God in His sovereignty allotted to them. It is helpful to remember that nothing we have done or will do makes us any more or less God’s beloved children. Our pride and boasting are all for naught in the sight of a perfectly Holy God.

           

            Verse three contains essential wisdom. We are wise to consider our ways and what danger lurks therein. The times in which we live are full of hazards—dangers both to our physical well-being and risks to our spiritual and emotional well-being. New dangers are being invented every day. It takes a cautious and wise person to avoid the traps Satan has laid in our way. We must be careful consumers of TV news programs. We are searching for facts amid the opinions. We must resist the culture's constant push to make us outraged at some person or group. Relying on God and His word must be our standard.

 

Prayer:

            Lord God Almighty, help us seek a good name in heaven where it counts. Teach us your ways that lead to life everlasting. Help us resist pride and seek humility. May we honor all people as your image bearers. May we be wise to avoid the traps Satan has laid for us. May we genuinely fear and respect your Holy Name. All glory be to you, our Savior and Lord. Amen