Proverbs 8:18-20, A Prosperity Pledged!
March 27, Proverbs 8:18-20
Luke 16:8-22; Rev. 1:6; 3:18 “Godliness with contentment is great gain” (1 Tim. 6:6).
A Prosperity Pledged!
- A Munificent Deity: A double contrast is implied. First, Wisdom bestows wealth with honour, and because gotten by righteousness it is durable, unlike the sinner’s wealth. Wisdom’s fruit is better than the finest gold, and her revenue (endowment-Alden) is better than choice silver (Pr. 16:16). This sets spiritual wealth over against the material (2 Cor. 4:18). Second, the former is better because it enriches man himself, while all the world cannot fill the aching void in the human spirit. The one is substance (what is); the other is mere shadow (Ps. 107:10), a feeding on ashes, a deceived heart (Is. 44:20).
a. How Enduring! Durable is a rare word meaning proceed, grow old, therefore, to continue. The Lexicon gives eminent wealth for durable riches. It may look back to what is old and thus ancient, or forward to what abides, and will, therefore, continue to grow old. The word durable combines both of these thoughts (Perowne). “The special idea conveyed is that of a treasure piled up for many years, ancient wealth” (Plumptre). Now while the one is permanent, the other fleeting and slips from one’s grasp (Pr. 11:4,18). They make themselves wings; they fly away (Pr. 23:4-5; Isa. 55:2). This substance means something that parallels Eternity. It is Christ who causes the soul to inherit this heavenly treasure (Heb. 10:34). That which we use well as good stewards of God, will accrue interest in the Bank of Heaven, and that is durable indeed (Pr. 8:19; Mt. 6:19-21). Thus Wisdom is said to bestow true riches, the wealth that is your own, inseparable from you and which you can take with you (v.21). The riches of the world would, in reality, make us poorer, because they can never satisfy the inner heart. What is worse, they often diminish the need for, or the enjoyment of, God, a loss nothing can recompense! The generation of the faithful shall be blessed for this is the promise of love.
b. How Enriching! Righteousness and Revenue are promised (vs.18b-20). Wealth and prosperity procured by righteousness (vs.20-21) are durable, because acquired honestly and used honourably. On the other hand, the wealth of the sinner, gotten by foul means, is the wealth of the mammon of unrighteousness. Wisdom leads in the way of righteousness by implanting sincerity and uprightness in the heart, and by guiding through the dangers and pitfalls of life. How could we find our way to the Celestial City unless led by the Captain of our Salvation? Those that He leads are happy and have the safest Guide too (Pr. 3:6). What Wisdom promises here, and in future, will be fully made good out of the loving heart of Christ (Mt. 25:34; 1 Pt. 1:4-5). This wealth has been, by a double figure, called “the Silver Springs of Grace, and the Golden Springs of Glory.” The world passeth away, but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever (1 Jn. 2:17). “High born! We are all low born, until we are born again, and then we are the children of a King… Handfuls are gotten on the ground, but a soulful is not to be had except in Christ” (Arnot).
Thought: “Glory and glitter are not synonymous terms” (J. McIlmoyle).
Prayer: Lord, that I might strive sincerely for spiritual substance, not silly shadows.