Better to Have Wisdom Than Gold

Proverbs 16:12–22
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Dishonesty and injustice often cause great leaders to topple in shame. Think of what happened a few years ago to Richard Nixon, President of the United States. It was because he tolerated evil thoughts and tried to cover up for the bad deeds of others that he was forced out of of … More

Leadership

Rulers should hate wrongdoing and value honesty in themselves and in others (v. 12). Honesty and fairness are not always easy, but they are what God demands. Right and just lips are the delight of a king, and he loves those who speaks what is right (v. 13). Wisdom is more desirable than gold, and understanding than silver (v. 16). The person who has wisdom and understanding has the best of this world and the world to come. Therefore, he should guard himself from desires and appetites that lead him into sin (v. 17). Often it’s our Anger that gets us into sin, but it’s our pride that keeps us there (vv. 18-19). Pride blinds and humility opens the eyes. It is easy to tolerate in ourselves what, when we see it in the life of someone else, fills us with disgust.

The man of wisdom sees more reality in the smallest promises of God’s Word than in the greatest demonstrations of what this world has to offer (v.20). The condition of the heart is of prime importance. If the heart is right, the words of the lips will bring to pass an ever-widening circle of listeners (v. 21). Unless our preaching and teaching comes from the heart it will be only words going from our lips to their ears and accomplish nothing more. Speaking from the heart means sharing things in such a way that others will want to listen and as a result they will be motivated to take action on what we have shared. For centuries people have talked about a fountain of youth. The fountain of youth was only a dream, but the wellspring of life is reality (v. 22). The choice is yours. You can be encouraged by God’s wisdom, or you can be dragged down by the weight of your own foolishness.

Application

I want honesty and humility to characterize my life. It is so easy for dishonestly and pride to creep into my life. I need to ask close friends to hold me accountable in these areas. If I am truly humble, I probably will not know it.

Proverbs 16:12-22 (English Standard Version)

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