What is the Principal Thing? #19
by Joseph Prescia
Is making money the most important thing I can learn how to do? How about a successful marriage and family as a principal thing? Am I to learn how to properly live with my spouse and children? The religious and political communities say that the breakup of the family is what’s wrong with America today. There are thousands of self-help books on these two subjects alone yet we don’t seem to be getting any better. In fact things continue to get worse based upon the 2000 US Census figures which show a decline in family households. If I were taught all of my life that one thing is most important and I that need these self-help aids to get there wouldn’t it be nice to have a reliable source? Otherwise I can spend 20, 30, 40 years of my life or more and totally miss the mark. What a waste of precious life!
The thing that I need most is a standard upon which to base all answers. I should be able to go to this source and KNOW that if I apply what’s written, positive results are guaranteed. Such a system would have to be priceless. But could I really afford it? Could I afford to pay for a system with guaranteed results? Wouldn’t it be great if the Creator of the heavens and the earth guaranteed it? And yet that’s exactly Who does guarantee this way; God Almighty. His way is the Word of God, the Bible. The Bible has the priceless information to instruct about life. And within that written Word of God is wisdom, which is the principal thing. In Proverbs wisdom is referred to as a “she”.
Proverbs 4:7-13 Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her. She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee. Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of thy life shall be many. I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths. When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble. Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is thy life. (KJV)
Solomon was known as the wisest of all men and had all that a heart could long for. He was inspired by God to write Proverbs. Solomon had a great example to follow, his father David, “a man after God’s own heart.” He and his father David got wisdom from the scriptures. Why is wisdom more important than learning how to make money or to build a successful family? Because when you have the wisdom of God success naturally follows. You can make the right decisions with wisdom. The only reason people are lacking in anything is because they have not made the right decisions. Wisdom is knowledge in application. If you have this God-given wisdom then you will know how to apply the soundest course of action. You will have a successful marriage. You will be healthy and prosperous. So, “wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom.” |
