Proverbs 16:16 How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver! There are two things implied in this verse. 1. That material wealth is a good thing. "Gold and silver" are not to be despised. These are good — (1) As the creatures of God. All the silver and gold found locked up in the chests of mountains He made. He created nothing in vain. (2) As the means of good. How much good can be accomplished by material wealth. Intellectual, social, moral, religious good. 2. That the pursuit of material wealth is a legitimate thing. I. IT IS "BETTER" IN ITS POSSESSION. 1. It is better because it enriches the man himself. The wealth of Croesus cannot add a fraction of value to the man. Millionaires are often moral paupers. But moral wealth, the wealth of holy loves, great thoughts, Divine aims, and immortal hopes enrich the man himself. 2. It is better, because it creates higher enjoyments. Money has no necessary power to make men happy. 3. It invests with higher dignities. 4. It is destined to a longer endurance. II. IT IS BETTER IN ITS PURSUIT. It is better in the getting, the choosing. 1. The pursuit is more ennobling. The mere pursuit of material wealth whilst it develops certain faculties cramps others and deadens the moral sensibilities. Often in the pursuit of riches we see souls that might have expanded into seraphs running into grubs. Not so with the pursuit of true spiritual wisdom. All the faculties are brought into play, and the soul rises in might and majesty. 2. The pursuit is more heavenly. Amongst the millions in the hierarchies of heaven not one soul can be found pursuing material good. Their "excelsior" is for a higher assimilation to the Infinite. 3. The pursuit is more successful. Thousands try for material wealth and fail. The ditches along the road of human enterprise are crowded with those who ran with all their might in the race for wealth, but who fell into the slough of pauperism and destitution. But you will not find one who ever earnestly sought spiritual wealth who failed Every true effort involves positive attainment. (D. Thomas, D.D.) Parallel Verses KJV: How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver! |
    |