Buy Wisdom for All Your Goods

Buy Wisdom for All Your Goods

Many people pray to God in their need, but once the danger is passed they forget about God. A few of them get converted to God and conduct themselves according to the gospel, hoping for God’s blessing. When they hope for a blessing, they think of an earthly state of well-being. But they fail if God leads them into tribulations and difficulties. Mal. 3:14. Then they think that it is futile to serve God. Then there are others who enjoy a life of prosperity here on earth and have everything they need, yet they still feel that they lack content in their life—wisdom—and they get converted to God so they can receive it. Now when God begins to work with them, it is possible for them to lose everything just as Paul did. Then the temptations come, and many ask: “What is the advantage in seeking God? Just look at how it is going with you. When you do good and you have to suffer for it, what is the advantage?” 1 Pet. 2:18. When a servant sacrifices himself and is faithful to his employer, yet the employer is difficult and doesn’t appreciate his employee, what benefit does a person derive from his goodness? The benefit is that by keeping God’s commandment he receives wisdom—the wisdom that is part of God’s kingdom. By denying himself and blessing people—the evil as well as the good—he gains a clear vision of (insight into) and knowledge of people, as well as of the wiles of Satan. It affects his possessions, health, and honor, but he gains wisdom instead. Buy wisdom for all your goods. Do not fear for your earthly prosperity and possessions if only you can receive wisdom.

“Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.” 2 Cor. 4:16.

After a long life, many people have acquired the wisdom of this world—how to gain honor and money, and enjoy themselves in the flesh; but none of this counts in the resurrection. Then they will be poor and naked. Jesus says, “Sell what you have . . . and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” Matt. 19:21. By following Jesus, the rich young man would have received the wisdom that belongs to God’s kingdom. He would have become poor in the world, but rich in the resurrection.

Why is it so difficult to keep God’s commandments? It is because people look at the visible things, and then they think that they will suffer loss. However, let us live in such a way in all circumstances that we gather wisdom for eternity—that is what it means to gather treasure in heaven. Buy wisdom, and in all your buying, sell all your goods and buy understanding!