Proverbs 8:18

The book of Proverbs gives us insights into so many different areas of life. The book gives us instruction on how to live our lives for God. Here is a proverb that gives us insight about wisdom’s benefits:

Proverbs 8:18 (ESV)

Riches and honor are with me,

enduring wealth and righteousness.

Wisdom is boasting.   Some people boast and can't deliver.   Wisdom boasts and can deliver.   In this section she is telling us that with her are "riches and honor" but the riches and honor are "enduring" in their wealth and prosperity.   When we first read the proverb we may conjurer up vision of bank accounts and material possessions.   But, those type of wealth are not "enduring."   Those things are where moth and rust corrupt.   We are told by Jesus to lay up treasures in a way and place were moth and rust can't corrupt.   That is what wisdom provides.   God is in the business of giving us wisdom so we make wise choices to obtain heavenly treasures.    We can expect Wisdom to deliver long lasting and eternal riches.    Don't lower yourself to earthly blessings as a sign of Godly wisdom.   God is in the business of blessing us with heavenly, enduring, riches.   That is what wisdom provides us.   When we lower ourselves to think of only earthly blessings we fail to see that God really wants.   He is not going to tell us on one hand to avoid moth and rust treasures and then on the other provide them as a way to show our wisdom.   Now, wise living will give us the ability to invest, work and be honored in this world with material things.   That is not wrong.  God gave Job twice the possessions he had in the beginning.   God blessed Abraham so much he had to separate from his nephew Lot.    So, God will provide that type of thing.  But, that is not enduring riches and prosperity spoken of here.    God blesses us with crowns we will eventually cast at His feet.   God gives enduring wealth.