MORE THAN SILVER AND GOLD

MAR. 2ND.   

TEXT: Proverbs 2:1-8King James Version (KJV)
2 My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee;
2 So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding;
3 Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding;
4 If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;
5 Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God.
6 For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.
7 He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly.
8 He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of his saints.

“When people come to the end of their personal achievements and pursuits, it suddenly dawns on them that there is something much more. They have gotten all they set out to achieve, yet they are not fulfilled. By the time they got to the pinnacle of their obsession, it only reveals to them how empty the whole thing has been, and like a mirage, it disappears just when it seems to be within their reach.” (p. xvii)
CONTEMPLATION
There is more to life than money, fame and accolades. Some things only have seasonal value, but there are a few that should be highly sought after because they are relevant in and out of season. Our preoccupation in life depends on what we hold dear in our hearts.
“Any accomplishment devoid of the true longing of our spirit will always leave in us a feeling of dissatisfaction and vainness.” (P. Xviii.) The latest car, fashion, building design, electronics, etc will soon loose its glamour and fame.   But a heart continually flooded with the glory of God is always the envy of all because it dwells in true peace and prosperity (see Isaiah 26:3).
Whatever decision of life you are contemplating, it is an error to jump to conclusion without asking if it will help fulfill the purpose of God in your life. When the heart of a man is very desperate for fame and fortune, it will often ignore the various warning signs flashing before him, as he will only want to listen to just what he wants to hear (Proverbs 16:25).
PRACTICAL ISSUES
Is it true that at the end of your present pursuit you will feel fulfilled?
How many people do you know that has true fulfillment at the end of a similar pursuit?
At the end of this pursuit, do you think anybody will still see God glorified?  If all that will be noticed is your fame, fortune and accolades, please think again.