My fruit is better than fine gold; what I yield surpasses choice silver.

Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway.

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.

(Proverbs 8:19, 34-36)

Fruit better than gold. A yield that surpasses silver.

Sounds pretty good, huh? It gets even better.

There’s also life and favor from the Lord. Real life. Life as it was meant to be. And the hand of God guiding and directing us into His best for us.

So who’s speaking here? Who’s making such bold claims?

It’s wisdom.

Does not wisdom call out? Does not understanding raise her voice? On the heights along the way,  where the paths meet, she takes her stand… (Proverbs 8:1-2)

Wisdom. It’s more than knowledge. You can be knowledgeable, but not wise. You can be very intelligent, but be a fool.

Wisdom is more than information. It’s possible to know a lot, but make stupid decisions.

Wisdom is skillfully applying the knowledge God supplies to our everyday lives. How we make decisions. How we resolve conflicts. Who we choose as friends. How we go about our work. How we control our desires. The list goes on.

Just knowing principles isn’t enough. The key is application. I must put into practice the right things I know to do.

I know I should regularly change the oil in my car. I exhibit wisdom when I actually do it.

I know I should spend time in God’s word. I display wisdom when I set aside time to read it and let it soak into my life.

Whoever fails to find wisdom harms himself. Those who hate wisdom love death.

Failing to seek God and apply His ways to our lives is the same as loving death. Sounds harsh, doesn’t it? It’s true though. If life is found in living skillfully according to God’s principles and commands, then choosing the principles of the world or simply going our own way would be death.

God is the Author life. He knows how it’s to be lived. Wisdom is living life God’s way.

When we do that, we find life, favor, blessing and a return that’s better than gold.

Wisdom is calling out to you. Will you respond?