Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness.
Proverbs 8 reveals what true wisdom is, and that wisdom is understood when true faith takes in the whole person and lifts the soul out of an imperfect, undeveloped state. Wisdom brings honor with it, together with lasting riches and righteousness, meaning riches joined with right character and not wealth alone. The durable riches are heavenly treasure, not material possessions, enduring without failing or perishing and unable to be taken away. They are precious and lasting, distinct from earthly riches and secured as wisdom's own treasure.
Earthly wealth is different from this treasure, for it leaves its seekers unhappy and unsatisfied, passes away, can be turned to selfish indulgence, and cannot satisfy the claims of God or the needs of others. The enduring riches are found by turning from worldly treasure and the vanity of earthly possessions to God. They are gained by using earthly wealth, means, and influence to serve God, relieve suffering and human need, and benefit the poor, thereby laying up treasure in heaven. In that use they are gained through wisdom and a right use of material possessions in service to others, with learning the joy of giving and working with God to uplift others.
Those who so use their means and influence accept their responsibility to God and, drawn away from selfish interests, may surrender themselves to Christ. Those who so use their earthly means to serve God and relieve human need become God's representatives. The durable riches point to Christ, who accepted humanity and became sin for the human race, so that with His help people could attain what sinful people could not attain without Him: lasting happiness, riches that endure, and life everlasting.
Proverbs 8 reveals what true wisdom is, and that wisdom is understood when true faith takes in the whole person and lifts the soul out of an imperfect, undeveloped state. Wisdom brings honor with it, together with lasting riches and righteousness, meaning riches joined with right character and not wealth alone. The durable riches are heavenly treasure, not material possessions, enduring without failing or perishing and unable to be taken away. They are precious and lasting, distinct from earthly riches and secured as wisdom's own treasure.
Earthly wealth is different from this treasure, for it leaves its seekers unhappy and unsatisfied, passes away, can be turned to selfish indulgence, and cannot satisfy the claims of God or the needs of others. The enduring riches are found by turning from worldly treasure and the vanity of earthly possessions to God. They are gained by using earthly wealth, means, and influence to serve God, relieve suffering and human need, and benefit the poor, thereby laying up treasure in heaven. In that use they are gained through wisdom and a right use of material possessions in service to others, with learning the joy of giving and working with God to uplift others.
Those who so use their means and influence accept their responsibility to God and, drawn away from selfish interests, may surrender themselves to Christ. Those who so use their earthly means to serve God and relieve human need become God's representatives. The durable riches point to Christ, who accepted humanity and became sin for the human race, so that with His help people could attain what sinful people could not attain without Him: lasting happiness, riches that endure, and life everlasting.