A Compelling ROI

Invest With An Eye On Eternity

Think of what would happen if you and I would sink as much blood, sweat and tears into the pursuit of Biblical wisdom as we do money, possession and fame! We would attain the kind of enduring wealth that earns the applause of heaven. By far, that is a great ROI!

Enduring Truth // Focus: Proverbs 8:19

My benefits are worth more than a big salary, even a very big salary; the returns on me exceed any imaginable bonus.

A friend of mine used to quip, “They say that money isn’t everything—but I’d sure like to prove them wrong!” Of course, most of us who live with an eternal perspective would agree with that money-isn’t-everything bromide, but my guess is most of us are secretly like my friend: We would sure like our shot at proving the theory wrong!

Solomon is simply refreshing us with truth we already embrace but periodically need reminded of to pull us back out of the gravitational lure of money and all the temporal stuff it provides. Let’s not forget what the Bible says: The love of money is the root of all sorts of evil. (I Timothy 1:6) Likewise, Jesus himself warned us that we cannot love and serve both God and money at the same time. (Matthew 6:24) Frankly, as much as we’d like to dispel Jesus’ platitude, it is impossible!

Rather than money, Solomon implores us to seek after wisdom. It is far better, buys much more, lasts infinitely longer than anything money affords and provides the best return on investment you will ever see in this life. Frankly, five minutes after your death, your money, power and fame will not even be worth the paper they were recorded on. In fact, it could be that your misuse of money, possessions and fame will put your account in the deficit when you reach eternity. Wisdom on the other hand, is an investment that will pay ever-increasing dividends throughout eternity. And maybe, just maybe, it will lead you to the proper attainment and stewarding of money, possessions and fame in this life, too.

Think of what would happen if you and I would sink as much blood, sweat and tears into the pursuit of Biblical wisdom as we do money, possession and fame! We would attain the kind of enduring wealth that earns the applause of heaven. By far, that is a great ROI!

Thrive: Read the parable of the rich fool and the commentary on money that follows in Luke 12:13-24. Write out a one paragraph prayer in your journal that incorporates Jesus’ teaching.

A Compelling ROI

Read: Proverbs 8

“My benefits are worth more than a big salary, even a very big salary; the returns on me exceed any imaginable bonus.”  (Proverbs 8:19, MSG)

A friend of mine used to quip, “They say that money isn’t everything—but I’d sure like to prove them wrong!”  Of course, most of us who live with an eternal perspective would agree with that money-isn’t-everything bromide, but my guess is most of us are secretly like my friend: We would sure like our shot at proving the theory wrong!

Solomon is simply refreshing us with truth we already embrace but periodically need reminded of to pull us back out of the gravitational lure of money and all the temporal stuff it provides.  Let’s not forget what the Bible says: The love of money is the root of all sorts of evil. (I Timothy 1:6)  Likewise, Jesus himself warned us that we cannot love and serve both God and money at the same time. (Matthew 6:24)  Frankly, as much as we’d like to dispel Jesus’ platitude, it is impossible!

Rather than money, Solomon implores us to seek after wisdom.  It is far better, buys much more, lasts infinitely longer than anything money affords and provides the best return on investment you will ever see in this life.  Frankly, five minutes after your death, your money, power and fame will not even be worth the paper they were recorded on.  In fact, it could be that your misuse of money, possessions and fame will put your account in the deficit when you reach eternity.  Wisdom on the other hand, is an investment that will pay ever-increasing dividends throughout eternity.  And maybe, just maybe, it will lead you to the proper attainment and stewarding of money, possessions and fame in this life, too.

Think of what would happen if you and I would sink as much blood, sweat and tears into the pursuit of Biblical wisdom as we do money, possession and fame!  We would attain the kind of enduring wealth that earns the applause of heaven. By far, that is a great ROI!

“Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.”
~Jesus Christ, Luke 12:21

Winning At Life:

Read the parable of the rich fool and the commentary on money that follows in Luke 12:13-24.  Write out a one paragraph prayer in your journal that incorporates Jesus’ teaching.

What’s Better Than A Boatload of Money?

Read: Proverbs 8:19

My benefits are worth more than a big salary, even a very big salary; the returns to me exceed any imaginable bonus.

A friend of mine used to say, “They say that money isn’t everything—but I’d sure like to prove them wrong!” Of course, most of us who live with an eternal perspective would agree with the “money isn’t everything” bromide, my guess is that most of us are secretly like my friend—we’d sure like our shot at proving that theory wrong!

Solomon is simply reminding us of something we already know, but need a periodic refresher to pull us back out of the tractor beam pull of the lure of money and all the earthly, temporal things it provides.  Let’s not forget what the Bible says: The love of money is the root of all sorts of evil. (I Timothy 1:6)  Likewise, Jesus himself warned us that we cannot love and serve both God and money at the same time. (Matthew 6:24)  Frankly, as much as we’d like to dispel Jesus’s platitude, it is impossible!

Rather than money, Solomon implores us to seek after wisdom.  It is far better, buys much more, and lasts infinitely longer than anything money affords.  Five minutes after your death, your money, power and fame will not even be worth the paper they were recorded on.  In fact, it could be your misuse of money, possessions and fame will put your account in the deficit when you reach eternity.  But wisdom on the other hand, it is an investment that will pay ever-increasing dividends throughout all eternity.  And maybe, just maybe, it will lead you to the proper attainment and stewarding of money, possessions and fame in this life, too.

Think of what would happen if you and I would sink as much blood, sweat and tears into the pursuit of Biblical wisdom as we do money, possession and fame!  We would attain the kind of enduring wealth that earns the applause of heaven.

“Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth
but not have a rich relationship with God.”
~Jesus Christ, Luke 12:21

Your Assignment, Should You Choose To Accept It:

Read the parable of the parable of the rich fool and the commentary of money that follows in Luke 12:13-24.  Write out a one paragraph prayer in your journal that incorporates Jesus’s teaching.

The Source of True Life

Read: Proverbs 8:1,5

Does not wisdom call out? Does not understanding raise her voice? … You who are simple, gain prudence; you who are foolish, gain understanding.

Nobody sets out in life to be a fool.  No kid ever says, “You know, when I grow up, I want to be an idiot!” As far as I know, there has never been a college student who majored in stupidity (although some parents may wonder). We are just not geared that way.

Have you noticed the booming market for self-help books and personal coaching? Just about everybody wants to improve their lot in life and will spend countless hours and untold dollars to educate themselves in order to have a better shot at successful living.

But wisdom doesn’t reside in do-it-yourself manuals or personal coaching programs. Wisdom isn’t even found in the classroom or in the university library. The true book of wisdom, the Bible, says wisdom starts with “the fear of the Lord.” That is the key.  Solomon says the beginning of the process for gaining knowledge, living wisely and being successful begins with the fear of the Lord.

So just what does that mean?  Well, what it doesn’t mean is to huddle in the corner in abject terror of the Almighty.  Only those who have no relationship with God do that.  Only those who have a jaded or limited view of God live in that kind of fear.  Only those who are, in fact, enemies of God, are the ones who rightly cower in terror.

The fear that Solomon is talking about is simply a loving reverence for God.  It is respect that evidences itself in submission to God’s will, obedience to God’s Word, awe of God’s power and love for who God is.  That is what it means to fear the Lord.

That kind of healthy fear leads us to grow in knowledge—the absorption of God’s Word.  It keeps us from living as a fool—one who is morally deficient and lives with no regard for God.  It allows us to develop wisdom—the correct application of Biblical truth.  It causes us to appreciate discipline—that which moves us to say no to temporal pleasures and immediate gratification in order to grow in wisdom, knowledge and understanding.  And the fear of the Lord leads to life itself.  That’s what Proverbs 8:35 says,

“For whoever finds me finds life and receives favor from the Lord.”

Do you desire to be a wise person?  Understand, then, that the attainment of wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord.  And the fear of the Lord recognizes that wisdom comes from God.  God is true wisdom and the source of all wisdom.

And God will give wisdom to all who fear him.  Proverbs 2:6 says, “For the Lord gives wisdom.”

Why not ask him today for some of it!

“The fear of the Lord is the convergence of awe, reverence, adoration,
honor, worship, confidence, thankfulness, love, and fear.”
~Robert B. Strimple

Your assignment, should you choose to accept it:

Commit Proverbs 8:35-36 to memory,

“For whoever finds Wisdom finds life and receives favor from the LORD.
But whoever fails to find Wisdom harms himself; all who hate it love death.”

People, This Is Not Rocket Science!

Pick up a newspaper, turn on the radio, observe the conversations at the water cooler, listen to the needs of people who seek your counsel, and you will quickly come to the conclusion that something is desperately lacking in our world today:  Good old fashion horse sense.

Read: Proverbs 8:4-6
(The Message)

“You—I’m talking to all of you, everyone out here on the streets!
Listen, you idiots—learn good sense! You blockheads—shape up!”

We live in the most advanced, sophisticated time in human history, yet we may be remembered in history for our foolishness rather than our wisdom.  For instance, how dumb must we be to need these warnings spelled out on these everyday products?

“Do not use while sleeping.” The product?  A hair dryer.

“Fits one head.” Really!  So that’s why that hotel shower cap was so hard to get on both kid’s heads at one time.

“Do not drive or operate machinery.” This one was found on some children’s cough medicine.

“Instructions:  Open packet, eat nuts.” This was on a package of nuts served by a major airline. Makes you wonder who the real nuts are?

Those are some of the more comical examples, but each day we see far more serious examples of wisdom that is missing in action in our government, in church leadership, and in our homes.  That’s too bad, since God has made his common wisdom as plain as the nose on our face:

“Listen up people!  This thing called wise living is not rocket science.  You don’t have to be extremely intelligent, well educated or culturally sophisticated to get it.  It isn’t hidden for the select few or the avant garde.  It is pretty simple really, available to anyone who will open their eyes and ‘just get it.’” (The Message)

Let me restate what Solomon is saying:  First of all, wisdom is obvious and available to all.  He’s saying that God has not made wisdom the sole property of the super intelligent and the well educated; it’s there for the taking for one and all: “Does not wisdom call out?  Does not understanding raise her voice?  She has taken her stand at First and Main, at the busiest intersection. Right in the city square where the traffic is the thickest.” (Proverbs 8:1-3)

Second, though wisdom is ripe for the picking, we must do our part to intentionally pick it:  “Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold, for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her.” (Vv. 10-11, NIV) Wisdom won’t grab you; you’ve got to grab it.

And third, Solomon says that when we pursue this common sense wisdom we will have found the very essence of life itself.  But if we ignore God’s wisdom, we have no one but ourselves to blame:  “For whoever finds me finds life and receives favor from the Lord.  But whoever fails to find me harms himself; all who hate me love death.” (Vv. 35-36, NIV)

Too often we assume that wisdom is hard to find and harder to grasp, but it’s not rocket science! As Solomon would say, God has purposely made it so blockheads like me can get it. Where and how?  As Solomon has already said throughout Proverbs: One, we must go to God and ask for it. Two, pursue it daily by getting into God’s Word. Three, we must stay alert for opportunities to intentionally apply it.  And four, it doesn’t hurt to hang around those who’ve already mastered it because their wisdom will start to rub off on you!

“The next best thing to being wise is to live in a circle of those who are.”
~C.S. Lewis

Your assignment, should you choose to accept it:  Who is the wisest person you personally know? Invite them out to coffee—your dime—and ask them to share their philosophy of living.