Treasuring Wisdom (Proverbs 2:1-10)

When I was younger I collected baseball cards (Topps were my favorite!). It was more than just a hobby; it was a passion. I spent hours seeking cards I was missing in a set. I spent countless hours reading, studying, and organizing cards. I worked hard at it – very hard – but it never felt like work because I loved it.

Have you ever had a similar experience? Have you ever worked extremely hard at something but it did not feel like work? When we value something, work can feel like play. When we treasure something, spending large amounts of time on it can seem to fly by like minutes.

It would be great if we could pursue wisdom the same way – with all-out effort that did not feel like effort at all.

Proverbs 2:1-10 focuses on treasuring and pursuing wisdom.

“My son, if you receive my words

    and treasure up my commandments with you,

making your ear attentive to wisdom

    and inclining your heart to understanding;

yes, if you call out for insight

    and raise your voice for understanding,

if you seek it like silver

    and search for it as for hidden treasures,

then you will understand the fear of the Lord

    and find the knowledge of God.

For the Lord gives wisdom;

    from his mouth come knowledge and understanding;

he stores up sound wisdom for the upright;

    he is a shield to those who walk in integrity,

guarding the paths of justice

    and watching over the way of his saints.

Then you will understand righteousness and justice

    and equity, every good path;

for wisdom will come into your heart,

    and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul;”

We all want to be wise, and we all know it is good. But, do we truly treasure it? Do we pursue it with joy like it is a valued jewel or a prize like silver?

When we pursue good grades, we pay careful attention to our teachers, we take copious notes, and we study for hours. When we actively pursue a league championship, we listen closely to our coach, we watch hours of game tape, and we practice long and hard. When we desire a particular career goal, we watch leaders in the industry, we faithful sharpen our skills, and we build our resume.

If we love it, all of this effort is a joy. If this prize is valuable enough, every minute is worth it.

May this be true in our pursuit of wisdom. May we value wisdom greatly, joyful pursue it, and excitedly expect God to fill us with his wisdom.

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