August 11

Receive my instruction instead of silver, and knowledge rather than pure gold. For wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire compares with her. — Prov 8:10-11 BSB

It’s hard to convince people today that anything can be better than silver, gold, or rubies. But the best way to understand the true value of things is to consider the deeper needs of life and ask what earthly treasures can do to meet them.

One writer tells a story of a group of emigrants shipwrecked on a desert island, far from civilization. They have food to last for a while, and the soil is fertile. Soon they discover gold, and they all begin searching for more, gathering large amounts of the precious metal. Yet, in their quest for riches, they neglect to plant any seeds, and the time for sowing passes. When famine comes, their gold cannot feed them.

This illustrates the true value of godly wisdom. In the great needs of life, wealth and jewels are worthless. Only the grace of God can meet our deepest needs. In times of great sorrow, no one turns to gold or diamonds for comfort. In life’s struggles, temptations, trials, and perplexities, these earthly riches do nothing to satisfy the soul. When death comes, they are utterly useless—mere mockeries. What we truly need in these solemn experiences is something far greater than material wealth.

“But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs!” (1 Timothy 6:8-10)