November 3

Nov 3- Today from Proverbs 3 we look at verse 16
"Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor."

This verse is to be placed in proper context of the attributes of wisdom, as it is referenced to verse 13 which begins, "Blessed is the man who finds wisdom." We use the simple definition for wisdom as, 'understanding life the way God meant it to be'.
It seems that wisdom has something to offer; long life, riches and honor. But, no where in this passage, nor in the narrative of the entire Bible, do you see believers instructed to pursue these things. Jesus clearly lays out the Kingdom principles in His Sermon on the Mount. In Matthew 6:25-34 He addresses the pursuit of things - and reveals that it is the wrong pursuit all together. In verse 33 He speaks the very familiar quote, "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." Jesus Christ was not yet revealed in the day when Proverbs was written, but there was a clear focus of pursuit. Throughout the book of Proverbs the Teacher admonishes the student to pursue wisdom. Long life, riches and honor are benefits of finding and applying wisdom, just as they are benefits of living in a relationship with Jesus Christ.
It is important that we do not use these benefits as indicators of wisdom or of living in a right relationship with Jesus. If we use the benefits as indicators, we will fall into the error of pursuing the benefits, and of judging others according to how many benefits they apparently have. Christians seem to be very prone to fall into this trap. It is short-sighted and temporal thinking. I have met believers living in destitute third-world circumstances who had little more than the clothes on their back and a roof over their head. Yet, they displayed far more wisdom than most believers I know in our culture who drive nice cars, have beautiful homes, keep full cupboards and closets, play golf in their leisure time, go out to restaurants to eat a couple of times a week, and hold fat retirement portfolios. In addition, the life expectancy of the believers in many third-world countries is from 10-20 years less than that of believers in our country. Because we apply world values as indicators of wisdom and ability, we often treat our third-world family members as spiritually inferior people. Perhaps not consciously or purposely, but we do. I have spoken to scores of believers in third-world countries who have told me so. They are not angry or bitter about it - just puzzled. There is no third-world in the Kingdom. The church must not adopt world values in kingdom work.
This principle can also be adopted right in our own culture. We have 'class systems' here in the cities and towns where we live. We can tend to apply the same values in these situations. We use long life, riches and honor as indicators of spirituality. Shame on us! That is temporal thinking. In the Hebrew text the word used for long in this verse most often means forever. People may have shorter life spans because of inferior conditions, but this is nothing in light of eternity. We must not place temporal values on eternal things. Riches means to accumulate. Jesus expands on this thought in His Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 6:19, 20; "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth . . . but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven." Our temporal wealth will mean nothing when we stand before God. We must not place temporal values on eternal things. Honor carries the thought of weight. There is substance to a person who grows in wisdom. They are not easily moved or shaken in even the most difficult circumstances. We must not place temporal values on eternal things.
Wisdom has much to offer, but she only gives as we pursue her and not her benefits. Jesus has much to offer, but He only gives as we pursue Him and not His benefits. What is the greatest indicator of all? It is a servant's heart. That is what we were created for. That is understanding life the way God meant it to be. That is the life Jesus modeled for us. That is the true meaning of love. If you see a person who appears to have health, riches, and honor, but does not display a servant's heart, you can pretty much guess that he is in a wrong pursuit.
How about you? For what are you expending your efforts of pursuit today? Are you pursuing Jesus, or only what Jesus has to offer?