The Most Valuable Thing In The World Series

A. The story is told about an angel that appeared at a faculty meeting and told the dean, “In return for your unselfish and exemplary behavior, the Lord will reward you with one of the following: infinite wealth, wisdom, or beauty. Which one will you choose?”

1. Without hesitation, the dean declared: “Give me infinite wisdom!”

2. “Done!” said the angel and then disappeared in a cloud of smoke.

3. The faculty members all stared at the dean who stood there surrounded by a faint halo of light.

4. One of the professors broke the silence and said to the dean: “Please say something brilliant.”

5. With the poise of Socrates, the dean said: “I should have taken the money.”

6. I am here to tell you that that was the most foolish thing that dean could have said.

7. Infinite wealth and beauty cannot compare with the power and value of the wisdom of God.

B. I’m so excited to tell you that today’s sermon is the first in a sermon series about God’s wisdom that is found in the book of Proverbs.

1. Throughout this series on the book of Proverbs, we will be learning that there is nothing more valuable than God’s wisdom.

2. Proverbs 16:16 says: Get wisdom—how much better it is than gold! And get understanding—it is preferable to silver.

a. Do you believe that? If God were to appear to you and say: “I will give you this 10 ton pile of gold and silver or I will give you My wisdom,” which would you choose?

b. Although it would be hard to turn down the gold and silver, the more valuable thing is the wisdom of God.

3. That’s what we heard in our scripture reading for today: 13 Happy is a man who finds wisdom and who acquires understanding, 14 for she is more profitable than silver, and her revenue is better than gold. 15 She is more precious than jewels; nothing you desire can equal her. 16 Long life is in her right hand; in her left, riches and honor. 17 Her ways are pleasant, and all her paths, peaceful. 18 She is a tree of life to those who embrace her, and those who hold on to her are happy. (Proverbs 3:13-18)

a. Do you hear the truth that God is revealing through King Solomon?

b. Getting wisdom and understanding leads to happiness.

c. Wisdom and understanding are more profitable and valuable than silver and gold and more precious than jewels.

d. Wisdom and understanding lead to long life, riches, honor and peace.

e. Wisdom is a tree of life that offers happiness.

f. Pretty powerful stuff, wouldn’t you say?

4. King Solomon returned to the same theme in the next chapter: 5 Get wisdom, get understanding; don’t forget or turn away from the words from my mouth. 6 Don’t abandon wisdom, and she will watch over you; love her, and she will guard you. 7 Wisdom is supreme—so get wisdom. And whatever else you get, get understanding. 8 Cherish her, and she will exalt you; if you embrace her, she will honor you. 9 She will place a garland of favor on your head; she will give you a crown of beauty.” (Proverbs 4:5-9)

a. Are we picking up on the theme? Are we getting the point?

b. God’s wisdom is supreme! God’s wisdom is the most important and valuable thing.

c. It’s something we need to pursue and embrace and never let go of.

d. God’s wisdom will guard us and will exalt us, bringing us honor and favor.

C. Those promises from God about the value and effectiveness of God’s wisdom are true and are backed by God Himself and they are backed by the testimony of those who throughout the centuries have put God’s wisdom into practice and have been blessed because of it.

1. How many of us are interested in learning things that we may never use or need? Not many.

2. But here’s the fantastic thing about learning from the book of Proverbs, we can benefit from it from the moment we read it and learn it.

3. Studying the book of Proverbs is like getting a Ph.D in how to live the best life.

4. The content of Proverbs is as up-to-date as the latest issue of People magazine or Vogue.

5. Here’s a sampling of the subjects that are addressed in Proverbs:

a. What are the consequences of self-indulgence?

b. How can a person avoid moral erosion in an X-rated culture?

c. What effect do my friends have on my character?

d. How should I respond when I’m criticized?

e. Why is pride considered “Public Enemy #1”?

f. What’s the best way to use and invest my money?

g. In what ways can my tongue get me into trouble?