Wisdom and Understanding Are Better than Wealth: Sunday Devotion

Psalm 49: 16-20 (NIV) Do not be overawed when others grow rich, when the splendor of their houses increases; for they will take nothing with them when they die, their splendor will not descend with them. Though while they live, they count themselves blessed—and people praise you when you prosper—they will join those who have gone before them, who will never again see the light of life. People who have wealth but lack understanding are like the beasts that perish.

The fascination with wealth is nothing new. The era of the Robber Barons in the late nineteenth century and early twentieth century was a time of great wealth differences across social classes. Today, the wealth of men seems to be measured by the length of yachts, with Jeff Bezos’ 415 feet, $500 million Koru as the largest sailing vessel ever built.

It is easy to dream of having this type of wealth, but today’s Scripture reminds us that wealth is a fleeting pleasure because, just as we come into the world with nothing, we leave it with nothing. Wisdom and understanding are more important, with understanding as the capacity to discern the differences between the actions and behaviors that are good or evil, what is temporary or eternal, and what makes the soul glad or what kills the soul.

Certainly, wealthy people are praised because so many believe that money leads to happiness, and the man who dies with the most toys is putatively the overall winner in the gift of life. But the Bible teaches us that it is individuals with understanding who are truly winners, for they know that what constitutes real happiness is being wise and understanding that things of God which are eternal are much more important than the temporary wealth that cannot save one’s soul.

Proverbs 4: 7 states, Wisdom is the principal thing. Therefore, get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding.” Let’s be more awed by the people who live a life of service to others, wise enough to understand that their actions will last long after they die. That is the calling on our lives as people of God.

Amen.