Seek wisdom in Book of Proverbs
“The wise are those who seek knowledge and understanding, heeding instruction and growing in wisdom.”
— Proverbs 1:5 (NIV).
The Bible book of Proverbs is known for its practical wisdom regarding values and moral conduct. If we need financial guidance, relationship advice or simple common sense, we can find answers written within these pages, mostly penned by Solomon, the wisest human who ever lived.
Proverbs begins with the invitation to attain wisdom, and introduces wisdom as a lady, whom God commends for her role in creation. God praises wisdom for her part in bringing order out of chaos. She informs us we are to seek her out whenever we are making a decision.
The beginning chapters instruct us through a conversation of a father speaking to his son. The father educates the son with a metaphor for temptation, calling it an adulterous woman. This instruction can also be taken literally as a warning against the temptation of falling for the allure of an actual adulterous woman.
In the final chapter, 31, it showcases a mother who bears a burden for her son, a king, to find a good woman. She goes through a series of verses describing what those qualities are. It displays admiration and regard for maternal wisdom. (Ever hear of woman’s intuition? This book is full of it.)
Many women who read this chapter find it exhausting to do all the Proverbs 31 woman does. But take heart; I believe this example models a lifetime of achievements and virtuous character to strive for in different seasons of our lives.
It is not for women only, for it is full of advice for anyone building a business, desiring personal development or working in leadership.
I share with you some practical insight, and a fascinating story about an author named Steven Scott, who applied the wisdom in this book to his troubled life.
For six years, Steven failed at multiple jobs. He was frustrated and discouraged. Sharing his frustration with his best friend, the friend offered him one simple suggestion that transformed his life. He instructed him to study one chapter of Proverbs each day.
Within a few years, he gleaned from the strategies and hidden treasures of King Solomon, categorizing them according to finances, relationships and healthy living. He shares them in his book.
After diligently applying them to his life, he achieved greater success than he’d ever known — restoring his relationship with his alienated wife, becoming a millionaire many times over, and building a satisfying and productive life with God at the center.
Who knew all of this was possible from humbling oneself to one small book of the Bible?
I’m not saying that there’s a guarantee for each of us to achieve the same level of success, for there is God’s sovereign will. But I believe applying these principles can help us to achieve some level of success.
• Annettee Budzban is a Christian author of the book “Letters To A Friend,” speaker, life and writing coach and nurse. She can be contacted at annetteebudzban@aol.com.