Good Morning,

I hope you are all well and rejoicing in your walk with the Lord.  God's saving grace is remarkable enough, but His daily provision and protection are things to bring joy into your heart. Please pray for those who are lost needing Jesus as their Savior, pray for those who need to be revived spiritually, pray for those who need physical and/or emotional healing.

This morning we begin a new short section of the book (chapters 8 & 9) which speaks about the virtues of wisdom. 

Throughout chapter eight, Solomon describes wisdom as personified, and this personification concerns the person of Christ alone.  1 Corinthians 1:24 states, "...Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God."  1 Corinthians 1:30, "But of Him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption."  As Solomon speaks of wisdom, think of it as being personified in Jesus Christ.

Let's focus our attention on Proverbs 8:10-11:

Proverbs 8:10-11, "Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold. 11 For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it."

THE VALUE OF WISDOM

The writer in today's passage speaks about having a readiness to receive instruction and knowledge.  As matter of fact, he places a value upon instruction, knowledge, and wisdom that is greater than silver, choice gold, and rubies.  It has been said, "In America, we know the price of everything and the value of nothing."  Dr. Paul Chappell wrote in his March 8, 2013 "Launch out" email: 

"In May of 2012, a 32-carat Burmese diamond ring—that was part of the collection of Lily Safra, one of the richest women in the world—was sold at an auction in New York City. The pre-auction estimate for the sale was $3–5 million, but the final sale price ended up at $6.7 million. It is believed to be the most expensive ruby ever sold.

As valuable as rubies are, the Bible tells us that wisdom is far better and more valuable. No earthly treasure can compare to wisdom because nothing else offers the same protection, benefits, and blessings that wisdom does."

Notice a few other verses in which the Word of God should impact our value system:

• Psalm 119:72, "The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver."
• Proverbs 16:8, "Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right."
• Proverbs 28:6, "Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich."

I simply ask how is your value system?  Would you value wisdom, instruction, and knowledge of greater value than a 6.7 million dollar Burmese diamond and ruby studded ring?  Think about it, and I hope you choose wisdom.

Have a good day walking in God's infinite wisdom.

Your Friend and His,

Pastor Abbott