Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honour. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.
Proverbs 3:16–17
Here are three things that wisdom brings to us:
1. Long life
Long life is in her right hand (3:16). If you eat a proper diet, you will enjoy better health than if you live on junk food. That doesn’t guarantee you will never have cancer, but the general principle is true.
The same is true for your soul. Peter says, “Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit; let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it” (1 Pet. 3:10-11). There is a healthy and an unhealthy way to live. Wisdom will show you how to live a healthy life.
2. Riches and honour
In her left hand are riches and honour (3:16). This is a proverb, not a promise. It is not saying, “Give money to God and He will make you rich.” But would it surprise you that when a person honours God with their money, God often trusts them with more? Matthew Henry says, “Those who do good with what they have shall have more to do good with.”
3. Joy and peace
Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace (3:17). If you pursue wisdom, you will have greater joy and greater peace. Are you looking for greater joy and peace? Study the book of Proverbs. You will gain wisdom as you walk with Jesus in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Long life. Riches and honour. Joy and peace. No wonder Proverbs says, “Get wisdom. She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her; those who hold her fast are called blessed” (3:18).
Which of these benefits of wisdom are you most longing for today?
