Written by Peter Blanch
Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom.
Though it cost all you have, get understanding.
Proverbs 4:7
This is clear a directive from God to us all about wisdom. God wants us to know that wisdom is supreme. It is a matter of first importance in life to get wisdom. As proverbs keeps telling us, wisdom is far more precious then silver or gold, life in all its fullness is only found in being wise [Proverbs 3:13-18, 8:10-11, 16:16]. Therefore the directive is to get wisdom.
Now as God gives this clear directive, He is upfront about cost. God says, “though it costs you all you have, get understanding”. That is a high price to pay and God in speaking this way with you is persuading you to see the value of wisdom as so that you will be prepared to pay the price to get it.
It is important to understand the costs when it comes to wisdom, because the costs are not just what you need to be willing to pay to get it They are also the price you will pay if you don’t get wisdom. In the book of proverbs the only alternative to wisdom is folly and the problem with folly is that it is cheap and easy. It takes no self control and careful thought, folly needs no discipline or preserving in godliness. It is easy and cheap, and therefore attractive to all us us. But it is only easy and cheap in the short term, for in the long run, it leads only to disaster. Therefore get wisdom.
Our Church weekend away this year is on this critical topic of wisdom. It would be great if everyone could be there. Though it may cost you a weekend, and though it may cost you some cash for food and accommodation, the investment will be well worth it. Particularly because the benefits of coming to our church family weekend away are not just limited to growing in wisdom. It really is a church family weekend away and it a great to be able to spend significant time together away as a family.
Being away tighter without the hustle and bustle of life brings lots of good opportunities to get to know each better which really matters. It matter because in the gospel Jesus is saying to us; “you belong to me and I want to know you”. And at the same time, he also in the gospel tells us; “you also now belong to each other as well”.
The truth is that through our adoption into God’s family, we now bothers and sisters in Christ – and this family relationship we share in, is so secure that even the gates of hell will not over come it. We belong to each other and we will belong to each other as family for all eternity.
This belonging to each is true even if we don;t feel like we belong. You belong you even if you haven’t found a best friend at church yet. You belong even if you haven’t found your a ministry to serve in yet. You belong even if you are relatively new to our church family. You belong because Gods says you belong.
That is why I have always loved it when people who are new or relatively new to our church family take the plunge and come along to our weekend away together. It can feel like a bit of a risk to come away with people you don;t know particularly well yet, but it is a great way to get to know members of God’s family that you will spend eternity with.
So if you are someone who is new to our church family and haven’t been on a weekend away with us yet, please come along. We’d love to have you. You can register today at the back of church [see Rob and Belinda Owers] or anytime by going to our church website and filling in the registration form at: www.waggaevchurch.org.au/camp
Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding, for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold. She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honour. Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace. 18 She is a tree of life to those who embrace her; those who lay hold of her will be blessed.
Proverbs 3:13-18
Peter Blanch
