Wisdom is the principal thing, says the wise king and teacher, Solomon. Throughout his collection of pithy sayings in the Book of proverbs, he emphasizes the cruciality of this one ingredient for life: its source, its essence in creation and life in general, its proceeds for those who pursue it as well as the perils it secures one's life against. Now, in yet another writing, he expands on the observations he's made among people who had shown qualities of possessing wisdom and makes special mention of the character of our study today - a poor wise man. What struck him was a contradiction to the assumptions He had laid out in earlier writings so he wanted his students, including us, to pay heed.
Many a times, we come across people who offer insights to turn situations around for good. Like the wise man in our anchor text, they give timely counsel or strategies to avert a harmful situation or open doors for big wins for a team or community. However, few months or years afterwards, no one even remembers or acknowledges their crucial inputs. Perhaps, you or an acquaintance have found themselves in a similar 'unfair' situation. What can we glean from Scripture to avoid such outcomes?
According to King Solomon, the wisest and richest man in his days, wisdom alone does not command respect, honour or influence. It is not surprising then that when the young Solomon asked God to equip hm with an understanding heart to rule the kingdom of Israel, God replied: "... Behold, I have done according to your words; see, I have given you a wise and understanding heart, so that there has not been anyone like you before you, nor shall any like you arise after you. And I have also given you what you have not asked: both riches and honor, so that there shall not be anyone like you among the kings all your days." (1 Kings 3:12-13, NJKV)
Beloved, there are dimensions of influence and impact we cannot access without wealth. We cannot fully express our mandate to be blessings when we lack resources that meet our own needs, let alone address other people's needs. This is why it is crucial we understand that the God kind of wisdom must not be devoid of its complementary riches and honour. Yes, wisdom is better than precious jewels but it is not repellent to or unassociated with wealth.
13 Joyful is the person who finds wisdom, the one who gains understanding. 14 For wisdom is more profitable than silver, and her wages are better than gold. 15 Wisdom is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her. 16 She offers you long life in her right hand, and riches and honor in her left.
Proverbs 3:13-16, NLT
We often hear accusations about the church talking too much about money. Obviously, there are cases where this subject is stretched to the point of abuse. But, would we rather want the focus on poverty? Let us not throw the baby out with the bathwater. Money and wealth are important subjects we must address as people of faith. Who is responsible or well positioned to teach us about these? If the ministers of the Gospel teach us how to pray, fast, study the Bible and fail to teach about the power to make wealth, then we know that we will die and go to heaven poor, with no inheritance for posterity. Is that possible? Oh, yes!
Loving and fearing God does not necessarily translate into riches. One can die a poor man who genuinely loved God like this man Solomon observed. Take the Lazarus in Jesus' parable in Luke 16:19-31. Even though he made it to Abraham's bosom, he was a poor man on earth. While we can safely conclude from the story that he was righteous there is no indication that he secured a better place in the after-life on account of his poverty. Thus, referencing such stories to excuse poverty is wrong and unscriptural.
There is another sad account of a prophet in 2 Kings 4:1 AMPC: “now one of the wives of a man of the sons of the prophets cried out to Elisha [for help], saying “Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that your servant [reverently] feared the Lord; but the creditor is coming to take my two sons to be his slaves [in payment for a loan].” This man was a prophet who feared the Lord yet creditors had come to take away his children? Didn't David write that "he had not seen the righteous forsaken nor his seed begging for bread? So what happened here?
I have seen some people who are very prayerful, with great wisdom and understanding of the Word but with something amiss in their lives. I've also observed eloquent and powerful ministers of the Gospel whose words and influence do not go far. These are all reading the same Bible that has helped others become wealthy yet the signs of poverty are evident in their lives. Why these contradictions?
Imagine a life with so much lack to the point that what to even eat or drink or wear is a constant challenge; bills are always never paid on time; bank cards are being declined during transactions in public places. Can we sincerely say that this is God's will for us? Many Christians today have capped their prayers to requests on their daily needs when we could instead be asking God to make us a blessing to others. Because we have not perceived the vision that we can rise beyond being blessed to being a blessing, we have not asked or positioned ourselves for the power to make wealth.
Money is a tool, a weapon without which we are limited in our output and impact on this side of life. When Job lamented his predicament, he made a profound statement in Job 30:11 (NLT), “God has cut my bowstring. He has humbled me, so they have thrown off all restraint.” The Hebrew word, yether, translated as bowstring or cord is related to superiority, abundance, excellency, plentifulness or excess in the Strong Hebrew Dictionary. So when Job lost his children, wealth and influence, he was rendered ineffective like a hunter having a bow without a string. How can we fulfill our dreams and vision without wealth? There is no one who claims to be good and doesn’t provide some form of food, clothing, shelter or service that comes at a financial cost for another.
God is not against wealth gained and stewarded in His way and for His glory. In Deuteronomy 8:17-18 NLT, God said, “he did all this so you would never say to yourself, ‘I have achieved this wealth with my own strength and energy.’ Remember the Lord your God. He is the one who gives you power to be successful, in order to fulfill the covenant he confirmed to your ancestors with an oath.” God gives mankind the power to make wealth as well as the wisdom to steward the wealth.
A gentleman once asked Pastor Russell Conwell, "Don't you think there are some things in this world that are better than money?" Of which Russell responded in his book, Acres of Diamond , “Of course there are some things higher than money. Oh yes, I know by the grave that has left me standing alone that there are some things in this world that are higher and sweeter and purer than money. Well do I know there are some things higher and grander than gold. Love is the grandest thing on God's earth, but fortunate the lover who has plenty of money. Money is power, money is force, money will do good as well as harm. In the hands of good men and women it could accomplish, and it has accomplished, good.”
1 Which is your choice?
God did not call us to live a life of poverty, misery and lack. Jesus paid a high price to destroy the works of the enemy so that we can live a rich and satisfying life (see John 10:10). But we have a choice in this matter whether we rise to the full potential of our calling to be a blessing or settle for less. In the course of this week, we'll address different topics that can equip us to rise to the potential of our calling in this regard. We will engage God's Word and discover nuggets to unlock the power to make wealth so that we can be a blessing to our generation and posterity.
Scriptures
Ecclesiastes 9:13-16, 1 Kings 3:12-13, Proverbs 3:13-16, 2 Kings 4:1, Deuteronomy 8:17-18