The 8th chapter of Proverbs is a pæan to wisdom. Any time material prosperity is mentioned in Proverbs—or elsewhere in the Bible, for that matter—I take note. These verses jumped off the page to me (italics mine), with Wisdom speaking in the first person:
I love those who love me,
and those who seek me diligently find me.
Riches and honor are with me,
enduring wealth and prosperity.
My fruit is better than gold, even fine gold,
and my yield than choice silver.
I walk in the way of righteousness,
along the paths of justice,
endowing with wealth those who love me,
and filling their treasuries. (Prov 8:17-21, NRSV)
The books of Job and Ecclesiastes notwithstanding, the Bible often equates material prosperity with a life of faith, truth, perseverance, etc. This is personified in some sources as Lady Wisdom.
Forget the Bible for now. What does “wisdom” mean to you? This is perhaps a more important question than what wisdom means intrinsically. The promise is that if we pursue wisdom we are rewarded with peace and prosperity. What do you see yourself pursuing that would result in peace and prosperity? I invite your comments below.
And having defined wisdom for yourself, what are you waiting for? Go for it!
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