BETTER THAN GOLD
Proverbs 16:16 and 20
16 How much better to get wisdom than gold!
And to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.
20 He who heeds the word wisely will find good,
And whoever trusts in the Lord, happy is he.
The man who wrote Proverbs had experience with gold and silver. Solomon was so wealthy, and the nation of Israel was so prosperous during his reign that silver was considered almost worthless. It was not that silver was no longer precious; it was that silver was in such abundance it was as common as stones. Solomon had so much gold that silver was accounted as nothing (1 Kings 10:21).
So, when Solomon writes that obtaining wisdom is better than obtaining gold, he is not speaking from theory or waxing lyrical. He knows what he is talking about. Solomon recognized that there were problems and situations that gold and silver could not solve. And because Solomon had so much wealth, he could speak as an authority.
Solomon, growing up in King David's household, was not a young man that ever lacked for any material goods. David was quite wealthy himself. Early on, Solomon must have gained an insight that wisdom and understanding were high value propositions. When the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream and asked the young king what he wanted, Solomon requested wisdom in order to be a good leader of God's people. Solomon felt the weight of responsibility that came with being king, and so wisdom was the request he made of the Lord. And Solomon's request pleased God. God commended Solomon for not asking for riches, long life, or the death of his enemies. Solomon's request for wisdom opened the door for the Lord to give him not just wisdom, but riches and honor as well (1 Kings 3). This may be one of the reasons that Solomon says to get wisdom and understanding first. Pursue the wisdom and understanding because it comes with blessings.
Verse 20 gives us one of the ways that wisdom is beneficial. Paying attention to God's Word, in a wise way, produces good in life. And the person who trusts in the Lord before he trusts in money (my add) will be happy. Happiness is a product of paying attention to God's Word and trusting in the Lord. Happiness is not obtained by pursuing happiness. Happiness is always a byproduct, not an end goal.
APPLICATION
Pursuing wisdom and understanding instead of money is not an either-or scenario. In other words, an individual does not have to be poor in order to have wisdom. This proverb is about priorities. What is our greatest pursuit? God's wisdom for our life or money for our life? The good news is that God's wisdom will answer situations and problems that money cannot speak to. Money gives us options and some solutions. Wisdom gives us solutions. And wisdom often saves us money.
So, go after God's wisdom and understanding. Pursue God's Word and trust in Him. And still endeavor to make good money and good investments. Just understand what holds the highest value.