The Reward Of Godly Wisdom

The Reward of Godly Wisdom

(Proverbs 3:1-12)

1. My son do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments;

2. For length of days and years of life, and peace they will add to you.

3. Do not let kindness and truth leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.

4. So you will find favor and good repute in the sight of God and man.

5. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean to your own understanding.

6. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

7. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and turn away from evil.

8. It will be healing to your body, and refreshment to your bones.

9. Honor the Lord from your wealth, and from the first of all your produce

10. So your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine.

11. My son do not reject the discipline of the Lord, or loathe His reproof,

12. For whom the Lord loves He reproves, even as a father the son in whom he delights.

INTRODUCTION

Many people today question the merits of living a godly life, of submitting to the Word of God and the principles it contains. They question if it merits the sacrifice and self-denial that godly living would require of them. To be totally honest we would have to concede that one couldn’t live godly, cannot live the Christian life as described in the bible without sacrifice, self-denial and discipline of life.

Does it truly merit the effort required? It is a legitimate question to ask. In fact Jesus even encourages those who inquire and consider becoming one of His followers to first "count the cost." Luke 14:28

When one considers the cost he does much more than look at his expenditures. He must way the value of the benefit received against his costs. If the value received is greater than the expenditure it is considered to be a good investment.

I believe that an honest individual after considering the benefits received and the costs involved that s/he will conclude it to be a worthy investment, one that pays great dividends both on the short term and in the longer term of things.

A LIST OF SOME BENEFITS AS FOUND IN PROV. 3:1-35

Length of days, long life and peace - vs. 2

Favor and a good reputation with both God and man - vs. 4

Divine guidance in every area of life - vs. 6

Health and healing for your physical body - vs. 8

Abundant financial & material provision - vs. 10

Gain wisdom & understanding - vs. 13

Vitality in your soul - vs. 22

Security and assurance in every area of life - vs. 23

Protection and deliverance by divine providence - vs. 24

Your home will have the blessing of God - vs. 33

Receive the abundant grace of God - vs. 34

Inherit honor and glory - vs. 35

Today we will only focus on only the first three in this list

II. Benefit # 1 - Length of days, long life, and peace (vs. 1 - 2)

The Benefits Are Conditional

„h they do not come automatically just because "I believe"

„h they are received as I accept and commit to the responsibilities that God requires of the believer

„h to live godly is to live according to His Word

"My son, do not forget my teaching, but let our heart keep my commandments;"

„« I must be aquainted intimately with the Word

1. This implies Study (teaching/learning)

2. This implies Review (forget not)

3. This implies that I appropriate the Word (my teaching, my commandment)

„Y As a believer this should not be a burden or some loathsome chore

„Y Ps. 1:2 "His delight is in the Law of the Lord"

„Y It is not sufficient that I listen to someone else’s study on Sunday morning (though helpful)

„Y I must, study, review and appropriate the Word myself

„« It is not just a matter of the head, but of the heart

"¡Klet your heart keep my commandments"

1. What you commit to in the heart becomes your conviction

2. It must be more than a creed, more than a theology, more than a bible teaching

3. You must be convicted in heart, that it is the Word of God, the very foundation of your being, the bread of your soul

4. If you are convicted in heart¡K. You will keep it! Guard it! Defend it! Proclaim it! And Live it!

5. "Thy word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against thee"

6. What you commit to heart is not soon forgotten