Proverbs 17:16

The book of Proverbs gives us a lot of instruction on a lot of different subjects. One subject that can keep us in God’s wisdom is Godly Follower-ship. Who we follow; where we follow; how we follow are all spoken about in Proverbs. Here is one of them about buying money. 

Proverbs 17:16 (ESV)

Why should a fool have money in his hand to buy wisdom

when he has no sense?

Some people think they can buy anything. They can buy help; they can buy support. But, if you have no heart that desires wisdom, even if you had the money, you couldn’t buy it. In this word-picture proverb, Solomon is telling us that even those who have great wealth (money in their hand) can’t buy wisdom if their heart isn’t ready for wisdom. You can’t buy what you can’t handle. If our hearts, minds and souls are not prepared for wisdom (the Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom) than even if we have money in our hands we can’t get it. Wisdom is available on every street (Proverbs 7) but won’t allow itself to be sold to someone with a foolish heart. If you want wisdom it is not about what you possess, but if you will allow it to reign and possess you, through Christ, the wisdom of God (1 Corinthians 1:24).  See also Proverbs 23:17.  We are to buy wisdom.  But, the fool has no sense of the worth of wisdom so why would he purchase it?