Wisdom Over Money

I know you may think you need money more than wisdom but the truth is you don’t! Stop wasting your time praying for the Lord to give you money and ask for something better, wisdom! As a Christian wisdom has way more value than wealth and I’m going to tell you why. 

Ecclesiastes 7:12 says, “For wisdom is a protection even as money is a protection, But the [excellent] advantage of knowledge is that wisdom shields and preserves the lives of its possessors.” Here Solomon speaks to the benefit of both wisdom and money, but highlights wisdom as more superior - having the ability to persevere the lives of those who have it. 

First, let’s address money. In our society, money is a high ranking tool, it’s pretty important and needed for everything. Without money, we do not have access to our basic needs which can seem pretty unfair. Money is a tangible that is pursed by many and it can be accumulated, managed, and utilized for our benefit. Money itself is not evil. It is only when we look at it as our god, and love it more than life itself does it become a problem.

Proverbs 13:11 says, “Wealth obtained by fraud dwindles, But he who gathers gradually by [honest] labor will increase [his riches].”

When people go to the great lengths of doing anything for money, especially illegal things, they are gaining their wealth in a fraudulent and dishonest way. This is to the detriment of their souls. Money has become their ruler and destruction will soon follow.

On the other hand, someone who increases their wealth through hard work and honesty will maintain their increase longer and prosper in their way. When you seek money and wealth in a wholesome way, this is not sin. It’s not sin to desire wealth, if you are going about it in an integral way and if you are doing so with a pure heart.

You must do an internal heart check when you are seeking or praying for wealth. What are your motives? Do you want this money for vanity reasons or is there a bigger picture? Are you trying to impress people and get luxury items or do you just want to be able to live comfortably and care for your family? These are important questions to address. If you want money for vanity reasons, it can intertwine with the lines of evil intent. 

Money is a great thing to have and it can protect you in some ways, but it is not better than wisdom!

Wisdom is a true prize and a great gift from Yah. It is one of the most important things we can have and it supersedes money.

Proverbs 9:10 says, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”

Wisdom gives us an advantage over those who are ignorant. And when I say ignorant, I do not mean it in a derogatory way or that someone is stupid. Ignorant simply means lacking knowledge and as children of Yah, we have an advantage in this world over anyone who does not know Him. To truly know Him is to fear Him with a holy reverence and that gives us wisdom and understanding.

Proverbs 4:7 says, “Wisdom is the principal thing; Thereforeget wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding.”

Wisdom is what we should really be seeking, not money. With all our heart we should be desiring to know Yah and have an understanding of Him, which in turn gives us understanding of all things because He knows all things.

I want to challenge you to think, when was the last time you asked Yah for wisdom. Now think about the last time you asked Him for money. Evaluate that and consider what is really important to you.

I also want to remind you that in 1 Kings, Solomon asked Yah for wisdom and understanding, in return he was blessed with just that and great riches. Now I’m not telling you to ask for wisdom just so you can get riches like Solomon, but I want to encourage you on what can happen when your heart is more focused on heavenly things. 

Just in case you aren’t convinced of wisdom’s advantage over money I want to compare how they both can be used for our protection. Money can be used to protect us tangibly from storms, danger, or scorching heat. It only helps in appearance or in earthly things.

Proverbs 18:11 says that a rich man’s wealth is his strong city and like a high wall in his own imagination and conceit.

Many people who are wealthy think that money can solve all their problems and that because they are rich they can get themselves out of any bad situation. And while on earth it may be true because we do see people buying their way out of things, it is not so in Yah’s eyes. They cannot escape His judgement.

On the other hand, wisdom delivers protection of our soul and spirit. It guides our choices, helps us restrain our destructive impulses, and leads us away from sin’s traps.

Proverbs 14:16 says a wise man fears Yahuah and shuns evil but a fool is arrogant and careless.

Wisdom is to be valued over money because it can protect in spiritual matters that money cannot. When we pray for wisdom, we should also ask for knowledge as well. Knowledge expands wisdom’s reach and gives facts and understanding to what wisdom is applied to. Together wisdom and knowledge produce discernment which overrides having wealth.

Proverbs 24:3-4 says, “Through wisdom a house is built, And by understanding it is established; By knowledge the rooms are filled With all precious and pleasant riches.”

Wisdom, knowledge, and understanding are a valuable combination that guards us from deceit and equips us for every good work, something that money cannot do. Money may give us to power to get things and it can possibly extend life through medicine or comfort but wisdom adds many years to our life because it keeps us within spiritual and moral boundaries to foster our well-being and it points us to Christ which not only gives us an advantage on the earth but access to eternal life. 

I want to encourage you that even though money is a necessity for life on earth and it seems it can make all our problems go away, consider asking for wisdom first. Ask Yah to give you wisdom, knowledge, and understanding of His Word and His will for your life. Ask Him to purify your heart and remove all bad intentions you may be harboring towards having wealth. Then when you have received an answer move on to monetary means.

I won’t discourage you from praying about your financial situation but I do want you to phrase your prayers differently. Instead of asking for more money, ask Yah for the wisdom to build wealth. Ask Him for  a plan and to help you be more disciplined in stewarding the money He already gave you. Ask Him for a business idea that you can implement as a means of building wealth. Be willing to put forth hard work and be obedient to what He says. Look for a way to glorify Him as you put your hands to work. Most importantly, don’t just seek Yah for what He can give you, seek Him for who He is.

Matthew 6:33 says seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, then all things will be added onto you. 

I want you to know that I understand what it is like to struggle financially and any words I speak is not just for you, it is also for me. My husband and I have recently moved out of my mom’s house and we have been struggling with money. We have enough to pay our bills and for food but not really for anything else. We go into the negative every month and have built up a substantial amount of credit card debt.

We want to have a baby but I am fearful that we will never be able to afford one because we barely have enough money for ourselves. Sometimes I catch myself worrying but then I remember who my God is. He is a provider and I have to trust Him.

I have began to pray that He would help me to steward the money we already have and I thank Him daily that we have enough for bills and food. I’ve also been praying that he would give me some ideas of a business I could do to make more money for my family. I really just want to stop going into the negative every month.

Since I have been praying this he has given me a peace and it’s actually been about a month since I last asked Him for anything financial. I am choosing to trust Him and just continue working on deepening my relationship with Him. I truly believe Matthew 6:33 and that if I focus on Him wholeheartedly all the other things will come.

So please know I do not give you this message with judgment but as someone who is walking the same journey. I want you to know that your financial lack does is not indicative of Yah’s love. It rains on the just and the unjust. We all go through difficult times but trouble won’t last always. He still loves you and cares for you in the midst of your storm. 

Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father, we come to you right now in Yahshua name. We give you the glory praise and honor and we lift your name on high. We repent for every time we have put money in front of you and held it to a higher esteem than your word.

Please forgive us and cleanse our heart of those wicked ways and desires. Father we thank you for this Word and for meeting us where we are. Thank you for gently reminding us on where our focus should be and that is your kingdom. Father we ask sincerely that you would give us wisdom that we may know you and have a holy reverence for you.

In James 1:5 you said that anyone who asked for wisdom that you would give generously. Please give it to us that we may know you and serve you according to your will. We also ask that you would give us knowledge and understanding along with it that we may be able to have discernment and walk on the straight and narrow path knowing the difference between good and evil.

Please help us to seek you first at all times and to not worry about our financial situations. Please help us to believe your word and trust in you. In Psalms 37:25 it said you will not forsake the righteous or leave their seed begging bread. Yah we pray that you would do the same for us. Please find us righteous on the account of us taking up the image of Christ and living a holy life before you and please extend your hand to care for us at all times.

We thank you in advance for answering our prayers. Thank you for your provision of wisdom. Thank you for keeping us on the straight and narrow path. Thank you for filling us with your spirit and thank you for providing in our times of need. We pray that your will be done and your way be had in our lives at all times by your grace and for your glory in Yahushua name amen. 

Thank you for reading! I pray this blessed you. Take this message back to Yah and ask Him how you can apply it to your life. Let me know if He gives you any further revelation. If you made it all the way to the end comment “wisdom over money” down below. Remember faith isn’t just something you hear, it’s something you live. I love you with the love of Christ and I will see you in the next post!