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Wisdom Is Profitable
"The one who has wisdom in his head and heart does not need to shout at others." - Spiros Zodhiates
Wisdom is profitable.
Matthew Henry, the renowned Bible commentator, said - "Heavenly Wisdom is better than worldly wealth, and to be preferred before it."
He also said - "It is better to get wisdom than gold. Gold is another's, wisdom is our own; gold is for the body and time, wisdom for the soul and eternity."
Ecclesiastes 10:10 says - "...wisdom is profitable to direct."
What does this mean?
It means that wisdom is preeminent, excellent, and right at all times and in every place. It is proper, suitable, and advantageous to give success.
Ecclesiastes 10:10, in its entirety, says - "If the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct."
Here we see that Solomon used the image of a blunt iron to illustrate the grave importance of wisdom in our everyday lives. The "iron" pertained to an axehead. If the axe lost its edge, the owner would need to sharpen it. Otherwise, he would be required to apply more strength to make it cut.
The point of this illustration is to teach us that wisdom in our lives saves us from a great deal of labor and prevents danger...causes us to work cleanly, clearly, smoothly, and easily...sharpens us and helps to put an edge upon ourselves and those with whom we work. Without it, we simply cannot have success in our endeavors.
Just as it is wise to keep our tools in good shape if we intend to conserve strength and accomplish every task at hand, even so it is wise for us to apply wisdom and understanding in even the smallest concerns of life in order to find success and advantage.
In Colossians 4:5, the Apostle Paul instructed us to - "Walk in Wisdom..."
In other words, we must act wisely and prudently "toward them that are without" - walking circumspectly and cautiously, not following any of their ways or customs, nor giving them any advantage against us.
In Matthew 10:16, it is recorded that the Lord Jesus exhorted us to - "...be ye therefore wise as serpents..." The serpent has always been considered as an emblem of wisdom and cunning. The reason why is because it never unduly exposes itself to attack. It manifests rapidity and skill in escaping danger. In the same respect, we are to use great caution in avoiding danger in the midst of our enemies.
In Romans 16:19, the Apostle Paul exhorted us to be - "...wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil."
We are to -
...be knowledgeable of the truths and ways of God
...carefully discern good from evil
...be free from guile and not be disposed to do wrong by yielding to the allurements of evil.
Jeremiah 4:22 - The Prophet Jeremiah prophesied to a people who were "foolish," did not know God, were "sottish" or senseless children, and without understanding. They were "wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge."
Imagine prophesying to such a people. They were skilled in drawing up the indulgence of their lusts and then concealing or excusing them.
It sounds like the times in which we live, doesn't it?
In 1 Corinthians 14:20, the Apostle Paul exhorted us - "...in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men." "Malice" includes ill-will towards others, envy, improper passion, and the desire to injure. In "malice," we are to be as infants who cannot even speak. However, in "understanding" - the wisdom and knowledge of the word of righteousness - we are to be full-grown men - mature, of full age, perfect, and complete.
Lastly, in Ephesians 5:17, the Apostle Paul charged us - "...be ye not unwise..." In other words, because of the evil times in which we live, he tells us not to be senseless, foolish, rash, egotistical, without reason and reflection, or mindless. We are not to be ignorant of our duty nor negligent about our soul.
The questions we must ask ourselves are -
Are we -
...wise in the way we act toward outsiders?
...alert and shrewd as serpents in avoiding danger?
...discerning when distinguishing right from wrong?
...mature in our thinking?
Possessing wisdom will cause us to be sharp, save labor, and prevent danger.
How many times in the past have we said - "If only I would have handled that matter wisely...If only I would have made the right choices - it would have saved me much time, energy, and agony."
Oh! How important it is that we seek God for Wisdom.
It definitely is profitable - profitable to bring great success and prosperity.
May God Bless His Word.
Connie
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