(2) “You can receive true wealth” (vv. 10-21). This passage deals with enrichment, not riches in the material sense. Wisdom isn’t promising to put money in the bank for us; she’s urging us to seek eternal wealth instead of gold, silver, and precious stones (see vv. 18-19 as well as 2:4; 3:13-15; 1 Cor. 3:12). This is an Old Testament version of Matthew 6:33: “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (nkjv).

Some Israelites during the Old Testament era had the idea that wealth was a sign of God’s blessing while poverty and trouble were evidences that you were out of His favor. Beca,use Job’s friends held to a “prosperity theology,” they concluded that Job was a great sinner or he wouldn’t be suffering so much. When Jesus said it was hard for a rich man to enter God’s kingdom, His astounded disciples asked, “Who then can be saved?” (Matt. 19:23-26). If rich people don’t make it to heaven, who will?

But Wisdom has better gifts to offer than perishable riches–blessings like prudence, knowledge, discretion (“witty inventions” Prov. 8:12), the fear of the Lord, humility, godly speech, wise counsel, understanding, guidance on life’s path, strength for the journey, and “durable riches.” A life that’s enriched by God may be poor in this world’s goods, but it is rich in the things that matter most. It’s good to enjoy the things that money can buy, provided you don’t lose the things that money can’t buy. What Wisdom has to offer can’t be purchased anywhere, no matter how rich you are.

How do we secure this satisfying and enduring wealth? Hear the Word of God (v. 6), receive instruction (v. 10), love truth and wisdom (vv. 17, 21), and seek God and His wisdom daily (v. 17). Many of God’s people have discovered how important it is to start each day with the Lord, meditating on His Word, praying, and worshipping Him. (See Ps. 57:8 and 63:11; Gen. 19:27; Ex. 24:4; Mark 1:35.)