I had planned a different post for today, but as I read the book of John this morning, God directed me to write something different. Which probably means one or more of my readers needs to hear this.
So let me ask you a question: What’s worth more than $970.50 an ounce?
If you follow the financial markets, you probably already know I’m making a comparison to gold. As of this morning, $970.50 is the price of gold per ounce in U.S. dollars. With the exception of perhaps a near-perfect diamond, I can’t think of anything that would rival the price of gold, ounce for ounce.
Well, I can think of one thing that not only rivals the price of gold, but exceeds it by far. I’ll get to that in a minute.
But first, let me make an observation. Whether you are employed in a job or self-employed, I’m willing to bet that you’re literally slaving away to achieve greater success, maximize your earning power, and (ultimately) become wealthy and well-known (a.k.a. “rich and famous”).
I hate to burst your bubble, but…
You’re seeking the wrong thing.
Success, wealth, and fame come and go. They are transient. Here today, gone tomorrow.
In a sense, we are all a bit like Sysiphus. We toil and strain to push an enormous rock up a long incline. When we are close to the top, we are ready to rejoice… only to witness the rock slip and roll down to the bottom of the hill.
Then we start all over again.
So the question arises: What should we be seeking?
The things of this world serve a purpose. But they don’t deserve our passionate pursuit. All the gold in the world can’t buy love, happiness… or immortality.
Rather than gold, seek wisdom.
I offer this advice because of this…
How blessed is the man who finds wisdom and the man who gains understanding. For her profit is better than the profit of silver and her gain better than fine gold. She is more precious than jewels; and nothing you desire compares with her.
Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are pleasant ways and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, and happy are all who hold her fast. (Proverbs 3:13-18)
This is such a beautiful picture. In the pursuit of wisdom we also find riches, honor, peace, long life, and happiness.
Do you remember when you were a kid? Remember the game we used to play where we imagined holding a magic lamp that contained a genie? We used to say:
“If you had three wishes, and you could wish for anything in the world, and the genie had to give you whatever you wished… what would you wish for?”
This was always a fun mental exercise.
I remember as a young boy trying to “game the system.” I’d usually use my first wish to wish for unlimited wishes.
The reason I bring this up is because this really happened to a man. Except instead of three wishes, he got only one. Here is the story…
In that night God appeared to Solomon and said to him, “Ask what I shall give you.”
Solomon said to God, “You have dealt with my father David with great lovingkindness, and have made me king in his place. Now, O Lord God, Your promise to my father David is fulfilled, for You have made me king over a people as numerous as the dust of the earth.
“Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people, for who can rule this great people of Yours?”
God said to Solomon, “Because you had this in mind, and did not ask for riches, wealth, or honor, or the life of those who hate you, nor have you even asked for long life, but you have asked for yourself wisdom and knowledge that you may rule My people over whom I have made you king, wisdom and knowledge have been granted to you. And I will give you riches and wealth and honor, such as none of the kings who were before you has possessed nor those who will come after you.” (2 Chronicles 1:7-12)
This is what I felt I needed to write to you this morning:
Wisdom trumps wealth.
Therefore, seek wisdom.
Oh, and one last thing: All wisdom comes from God. If you desire wisdom (as you should), you’ll have to make friends with your Maker. ;-)
Have a great weekend.
-Ryan M. Healy
About Ryan M. Healy
Ryan Healy is a direct response copywriter. Since 2002, he has worked with scores of clients, including BoostCTR, Alex Mandossian, Terry Dean, and Pulte Homes. He writes a popular blog about copywriting, advertising, and business growth, has been featured in publications like Feed Front magazine, and is a regular contributor to WordStream.com, BoostCTR.com, and MarketingForSuccess.com.
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{ 13 comments }
Thanks so much for sharing that, Ryan.
That’s always been one of my favorite Bible stories, too.
I really like the way you applied it to business. Helps keep things in perspective.
Ben
Thanks for the comment, Ben. Glad you enjoyed the post. I write things like this for my own benefit as well as my readers. I need to be reminded of lessons like this on a regular basis. ;-)
Ryan
Thank you for this wonderful post Ryan. I love when the Bible is brought in to illustrate business principles. Yes, as Ben mentions it keeps things in perspective. When we are racing around in our daily lives, this brings us back to center.
I have found this to be very true. I’m constantly in learning mode, and don’t worry much about how much income is showing up. It always seems to take care of itself.
I actually wrote a book, years ago, called The Penny-Pinching Hedonist: How to Live Like Royalty with a Peasant’s Pocketbook–all about how money is only one means to the end of a happy life, and exploring a few hundred of the others. Choosing between abundance and prosperity, I choose abundance. And my life is abundant in its blessings.
Hi Ryan,
This is right on target. Indeed, one of my favorite verses is James 1:5 …
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives to all men generously and without reproaching, and it will be given him.
What more proof does one need that God wants man to have wisdom than by this free offer of it, to all that seek it (and by inference, rely on him)?
This post felt directed personally at my life and me and maybe it was. God speaks to us in different ways and he was very present as I read your words reminding me where I need to place my efforts most.
Thank you!
Fantastic post Ryan.
Thank you.
Wisdom without money will take care of you much better than money without wisdom. In fact, without wisdom, you’ll soon be without money….ask any fool.
Proverbs 17:16 Of what use is money in the hand of a fool, since he has no desire to get wisdom?
You can’t go wrong listening to Divine Guidance by whatever name you use for it/him/her/them.
Ryan,
I’m on the spiritual path in my life. Though I’m not religious, I can nevertheless apply the exact same lesson to myself, and my relationship to my Source.
Thanks so much for all the excellent comments! I appreciate your feedback and adding to the discussion.
Best blog post I’ve read in a month or more… Ryan, thank you for this. A good reminder for all of us.
You’re welcome, Ray. Thank you for the compliment. Means a lot.
Just read this thoughtful post a second time. As I read, I thought many things:
–I thought about Ralph Waldo Emerson, an American essayist who’s been a great teacher
–I remembered my mom telling me that I should start reading the Bible (I used to a lot, but…what happened was a long story…)
–I wondered, “What is wisdom? How are we defining it?”
I think I’ve heard that wisdom is the understanding you gain with experience. But that’s a bit limited, because if wisdom comes from God, then you don’t necessarily need the experience. Which is good, because if you had to have the experience to have wisdom, we might have to live several lifetimes to gain all the wisdom we need to nobly live one life.
–Can you gain wisdom from someone else who shares their life experiences, or insights, with you?
For example, I’ve been blessed with some neat intellectual insights by reading about the experiences of others. These people, who have shared their experiences with me, have helped me make my own guided decisions. They’ve given me a “2nd hand” wisdom, if you will.
–In my desire to become successful (acutally, I already am; I just need to make it an outer reality) I hope I don’t get too caught up with my ego and it’s worldly, material desires. Some of that is good, and I believe it’s good to have a little bit of ego. I just hope that I can keep it in check, and not let it get out of control.
Just as we need checks and balances to make sure that one party, person, government, country, or side doesn’t become too powerful, we need wisdom to balance our “sinful” human nature with our spiritual, destinational natures.
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