DCLM Daily Manna 5 January 2021 – Priceless Possession
Text: Proverbs 8:9-14 (KJV)
9 They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge.
10 Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold.
11 For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.
12 I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions.
13 The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.
14 Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength.
Key Verse: “Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold” (Proverbs 8:10).
MESSAGE:
An ancient proverb says, “If you drop gold and books, pick up the books first, then the gold”. The stand of this saying speaks to the infinite superiority of the written word and knowledge over silver and gold. There should be greater urgency in the quest for knowledge than a dash for riches. The wise person must not be in a hurry to find fleeting fame and ephemeral money at the expense of the limitless power books confer on the diligent seeker of knowledge, wisdom and understanding.
The Bible, God’s word, tells us what to pick after dropping “gold and books”. The inspired writer of the Book of Proverbs declares authoritatively that we must look for the word of God among the collection. God Himself issues the counsel: “Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold. For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it”.
Over the centuries, man has sought solution to his challenges in wanton wealth and mindless material acquisition, not in the word of God. We amass riches to give us joy, security and peace of mind. But we are farther away from these goals, because the pursuit of these worldly objectives has opened the floodgates to suffering, wars, violence, unrest and a general atmosphere of insecurity and anxiety.
Man has been boxed in by this worship of gold and fame since he fled from God in the Garden of Eden. He will continue to run in circles until he opts for the way of his Redeemer: “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you”. When we effect a re-prioritisation of our needs to put heaven before material acquisition, heaven too will step into our affairs with the “peace that passeth all understanding”.
Thought For The Day: Drop your gold and go for God.
DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.
1. Admit that you are a sinner. "For all [humans] have sinned, and comes short of the glory of God....[and] the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 3:23)
2. Repent now. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...[for] if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness " (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9)
3. Believe that God loves you and Jesus died for you. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet Sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
4. Invite Jesus into your life through prayer of faith. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)
