Wisdom? I need it!

I’m looking at Proverbs in a different light. A new friend of mine is a very successful architect who counts among his clients the world’s largest retailer, Walmart. He has designed buildings for them for over 20 years. Raymond Harris is also a man who seeks to run his business God’s way. A few years back he wrote a book called The Heart of Business: Solomon’s Wisdom for Success in Any Economy. As I read through the book, I quickly saw what great application it has for those in the business world.

What about those in ministry? Whether nonprofit or for profit, could those who lead ministries also apply these principles with the assurance that it will make a difference in their organization and in their lives? My short answer?

YES!

Raymond Harris (who is no relation to me) did an extensive three-year study of Proverbs. He synthesizes some of the promises in the Old Testament book this way.

God promises that he will:

• Bless
• Protect
• Provide
• Thwart

Our responsibilities are to:

• Seek after these things
• Do these things
• Develop these things
• Avoid these things
• Become these things

In other words, says Harris, we should fulfill our responsibilities of seeking, doing, developing, and becoming the things God loves, and avoid the things he condemns. That will keep us on a path of righteousness.

As you might guess, what Solomon gives us in Proverbs is counter to what the world says we need to do in order to be “successful,” whatever that word may mean for you.

Again, Raymond Harris nails it down.

[blockquote author=”” link=”” target=”_blank”]In the world’s economy, people are defined by what they have accomplished. In God’s economy, they are defined by who they have become as a result of God’s transformation of their hearts…. God wants us to be fully devoted to His instruction. He wants our heart, not simply our actions.[/blockquote]

Knowing God’s Word and seeking to live by its truth is the key to the blessings God has for you in your ministry work. How can we apply His Truth as a pattern for our lives? We ask God’s Holy Spirit to grant us His wisdom.

[blockquote author=”James 1:5-6 NLT” link=”” target=”_blank”]If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind.[/blockquote]

Seek His wisdom today.