In Praise of Wisdom

Wisdom is greater than foolishness. One might go, “But the wise and fools both die, so who cares how you live?” Well, the foolish often die earlier if they don’t curb dangerous lifestyles. And if you understand theology, different people have different outcomes in the afterlife. Just as we’re not all the same now, we will not all be the same in the next life. So be good and loving to all through Jesus and invest in Heaven.

Ecclesiastes 2:16 No one remembers the wise, and no one remembers fools. In days to come, we will all be forgotten. We must all die—wise and foolish alike. (GNT).

In Praise of Wisdom (Job)

Job 28:1 There are mines where silver is dug; There are places where gold is refined. 2 We dig iron out of the ground And melt copper out of the stones. 3 Miners explore the deepest darkness. They search the depths of the earth And dig for rocks in the darkness. 4 Far from where anyone lives Or human feet ever travel, They dig the shafts of mines. There they work in loneliness, Clinging to ropes in the pits. 5 Food grows out of the earth, But underneath the same earth All is torn up and crushed. 6 The stones of the earth contain sapphires, And its dust contains gold. 7 No hawk sees the roads to the mines, And no vulture ever flies over them. 8 No lion or other fierce beast Ever travels those lonely roads. 9 Miners dig the hardest rocks, Dig mountains away at their base. 10 As they tunnel through the rocks, They discover precious stones. 11 They dig to the sources of[b] rivers And bring to light what is hidden. 12 But where can wisdom be found? Where can we learn to understand? 13 Wisdom is not to be found among mortals; No one knows its true value. 14 The depths of the oceans and seas Say that wisdom is not found there. 15 It cannot be bought with silver or gold. 16 The finest gold and jewels Cannot equal its value. 17 It is worth more than gold, Than a gold vase or finest glass. 18 The value of wisdom is more Than coral or crystal or rubies. 19 The finest topaz and the purest gold Cannot compare with the value of wisdom. 20 Where, then, is the source of wisdom? Where can we learn to understand? 21 No living creature can see it, Not even a bird in flight. 22 Even death and destruction Admit they have heard only rumors. 23 God alone knows the way, Knows the place where wisdom is found, 24 Because he sees the ends of the earth, Sees everything under the sky. 25 When God gave the wind its power And determined the size of the sea; 26 When God decided where the rain would fall, And the path that the thunderclouds travel; 27 It was then he saw wisdom and tested its worth— He gave it his approval. 28 God said to us humans, “To be wise, you must have reverence for the Lord. To understand, you must turn from evil.” (GNT).

I love this verse so much because it holds true even today. How much do people fight and struggle for money? We know wisdom is more valuable than money. If you don’t believe me, for one thing, wisdom helps you spend your money more efficiently so you live easier and better.

Victor adds: “Wisdom leads us to desire to obey God and essentially extend our lives through obedience. It helps us guard our hearts against those who desire to hurt us. It even encourages us to restrain our tongues in heated discussions before we get into trouble or offend loved ones. These are only a few of the numerous reasons behind the value of wisdom.”

Wisdom is more valuable than money, but how many people struggle and search for wisdom more than money? How many people mine for wisdom as people mine underground for gems? The Bible holds wisdom and should be mined for it. Read it often, and you can learn things that people who have been living for longer than us have not even found out yet. You can find out how to be a truer friend and even find friendship with God.

Solomon Prays for Wisdom Selflessly

1 Kings 3:3 Solomon made an alliance with the king of Egypt by marrying his daughter. He brought her to live in David’s City until he had finished building his palace, the Temple, and the wall around Jerusalem. 2 A temple had not yet been built for the Lord, and so the people were still offering sacrifices at many different altars. 3 Solomon loved the Lord and followed the instructions of his father David, but he also slaughtered animals and offered them as sacrifices on various altars.4 On one occasion he went to Gibeon to offer sacrifices because that was where the most famous altar was. He had offered hundreds of burnt offerings there in the past. 5 That night the Lord appeared to him in a dream and asked him, “What would you like me to give you?”6 Solomon answered, “You always showed great love for my father David, your servant, and he was good, loyal, and honest in his relation with you. And you have continued to show him your great and constant love by giving him a son who today rules in his place. 7 O Lord God, you have let me succeed my father as king, even though I am very young and don’t know how to rule. 8 Here I am among the people you have chosen to be your own, a people who are so many that they cannot be counted. 9 So give me the wisdom I need to rule your people with justice and to know the difference between good and evil. Otherwise, how would I ever be able to rule this great people of yours?”10 The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this, 11 and so he said to him, “Because you have asked for the wisdom to rule justly, instead of long life for yourself or riches or the death of your enemies, 12 I will do what you have asked. I will give you more wisdom and understanding than anyone has ever had before or will ever have again. 13 I will also give you what you have not asked for: all your life you will have wealth and honor, more than that of any other king. 14 And if you obey me and keep my laws and commands, as your father David did, I will give you a long life.” (GNT).

This prayer was huge! Solomon’s prayer was the king’s prayer over the dedication of the Temple of God! It was a tremendous moment, and God does it big in these moments. So God wanted him to pray.

Solomon, searching himself and possibly guided by God, prayed for wisdom. He did this not for himself, but to be a better ruler for the people. How many people today want political power, bribes, and money just for their own good rather than caring for how people will wind up? Well, Solomon was a good guy here and prayed for the benefit of others. God wants us to care about other people over ourselves. So if you ever become a person in political power, you should be selfless too, not always doing what the campaign contributors want you to do. Do what is right.

God answered his prayer by giving him the wisdom he asked for. God also gave him all the selfish things a king could ask for too. So we should model our prayer mostly selfless. If God wants to throw us bonus blessings in the process, great, but we should all be out for others in prayer and act.

Go help people today! We don’t really lose anything by dying to self. The act of living for others and giving up our claim on this Earth is how we get a real grip on Heaven through Jesus. Think, “How can I selflessly help others? “. Then follow through by helping them, especially the poor and those who can’t help you back.