You can find this week’s reading here –
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs+8%3A8-14%2C+17-21&version=NRSV

V.
Wisdom encourages us to –

Take my instruction instead of silver,
and knowledge rather than choice gold;
for wisdom is better than jewels,
and all that you may desire cannot compare with her.
(Proverbs 8:10-11)

And a bit later she tells us –

Riches and honor are with me,
enduring wealth and prosperity.
(Proverbs 8:18)

And then –

endowing with wealth those who love me,
and filling their treasuries.
(Proverbs 8:21)

But she also cries out –

My fruit is better than gold, even fine gold,
and my yield than choice silver.
I walk in the way of righteousness,
along the paths of justice,
(Proverbs 8:19-20)

VI.
What can happen if we take verses 18 and 21 out of the full context of these verses?

We could hear this as the foundation of what many call the “health and wealth gospel.”

“Follow God’s word and you will be wealthy. You will have perfect health. Nothing will stop you.”

Wisdom does call our attention to silver and gold and jewels. Things we seem to naturally associate with wealth as it is usually counted.

But she also asks us to –

“Take my instruction instead of …. Rather than …. My fruit is better … My yield … all that you may desire cannot compare to her.”

Wisdom is wise enough to know what can tempt us.

Can the call of Wisdom offer enough encouragement for us to –

… walk in the way of righteousness,
along the paths of justice…
(Proverbs 8:20)

Will we ever know what true wealth and treasure is?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}