Its easy to get caught up in the pursuit of stuff. You may think that if you made the football team, life would be perfect. Or if you could just wear the right clothes, people would really see how great you are. Maybe you think that if you had a car then you’d be set because you could at least get away from your parent’s house and their rules.
Its crazy how easy it is to get trapped in the pursuit of stuff. Stuff really rules our lives a lot of the time. We make choices many times based on stuff. For example, you may choose to study to be a doctor at college because it pays more. Or maybe you choose hang out with certain friends and ignore others at school based on the stuff they have.
If most of us were honest, we would probably have to admit that stuff plays a huge role in our lives. It affects the job we take, the friends we have and many times it interferes with our happiness. We’re happy when we get a new thing, or mad because we don’t have enough stuff.
The book of Proverbs talks about something that is way better than stuff. Proverbs talks about wisdom and how wisdom is way better than stuff.
For wisdom is better than jewels, and nothing desirable can compare with it. – Proverbs 8:11 (HCSB)
The thing that is better than stuff is wisdom. Proverbs 8 talks a lot about how great wisdom is. But what really is wisdom?
According to Merriam-Webster wisdom is: knowledge that is gained by having many experiences in life. The natural ability to understand things that most other people cannot understand. Knowledge of what is proper or reasonable : good sense or judgment.
All of those things sound great. Being able to understand things that most other people can’t understand sounds awesome. And having good sense or judgement would be great too. The Bible encourages us to not seek stuff but rather seek wisdom. Its when we seek God and ask Him for wisdom that we can be truly rich and truly happy.
Decide this week to not just be consumed with getting stuff, but rather choose to ask God for wisdom. Ask God for wisdom in dealing with that tough teacher at school. Ask God for wisdom to understand your chemistry assignment. Ask God for wisdom when trying to decide which car to buy or what job to take. Getting God’s wisdom and help in life will make you a success.
Pray: God, I ask you for wisdom. I need your help and guidance in making decisions. I ask you to give me wisdom this week. I choose to not go after stuff but to go after wisdom. I know that as I do that, you will help me to become a success at life. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.