Page 91 - The Prosperous Way _ (APRIL 2024 v3)

CHAPTER 10

WALKING IN WISDOM

W
hatever field of endeavour we determine to walk in, we will
need day to day wisdom to guide us if we are to succeed.
Good decisions go hand in hand with good success, and good
decisions are only achieved through wisdom and understanding. This is
why the Scriptures urge: “Get wisdom, though it costs you all you have,
get understanding.” (Proverbs 4:7)

THE BENEFITS OF WISDOM AND UNDERSTANDING

From Proverbs 8:18, we learn that riches, honour, enduring wealth and
prosperity come from wisdom. In addition, the Bible teaches that there
are many other benefits to gaining wisdom and understanding: Those
who find wisdom and understanding enjoy long lives, paths of peace,
ways of pleasantness, happiness, safety, and even sweet sleep at night
(Proverbs 2 to 4). Therefore, wisdom and understanding are the
foundation not only of material prosperity but also of prosperity in the
fullest and truest sense of the word. This is why so many passages in
Proverbs and other Scriptures (such as Job 28) extoll the value of
wisdom and understanding as being far greater than gold or silver or
precious jewels. What then is wisdom? And what is understanding?

WHAT IS WISDOM?

According to Proverbs 2:9, wisdom is the ability to determine what is
“right, the fair and just—every good path .” That means knowing in a
given situation; (a) What is the ethically correct thing to do (what is
right), (b) how to decide a controversy between persons, for example to
determine who is accountable or responsible (what is just), and (c) how
to arrive at an equitable arrangement that settles the matter (what is
fair). When we know these three things, we can determine the best way
to proceed (every good path). Wisdom is following that good path.

The New Testament expands on this by describing heavenly or godly
wisdom, as follows:

But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace
loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full
of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favouritism

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