Profitability of Wisdom in Decision Making in Scripture
The Profitability of Wisdom in Decision Making in Scripture
The concept of wisdom being profitable in decision making is rooted in various biblical passages. The book of Job asks, "Can a man be profitable to God, as he that is wise may be profitable to himself?" [1]. This rhetorical question highlights the personal benefit of wisdom. Similarly, Ecclesiastes 7:12 states, "Wisdom with riches is more profitable, and bringeth more advantage to them that see the sun" [2].
The biblical understanding of wisdom is multifaceted. According to Torrey's Topical Textbook, wisdom is an attribute of God, described as perfect, mighty, universal, infinite, unsearchable, and wonderful [3]. The wisdom of saints is derived from God, and all human wisdom is ultimately derived from Him [3]. In the context of decision making, wisdom is closely tied to prudence, which is exhibited in the manifestation of God's grace and exemplified by Christ [4].
The book of Proverbs emphasizes the importance of wisdom in decision making. John Gill comments on Proverbs 24:13, stating that the knowledge of wisdom is "pleasant, useful, delightful, and profitable" for the soul [5]. This wisdom is not just intellectual but also practical, guiding individuals in their daily lives. The wise are characterized by their ability to foresee and avoid evil, and they are preserved by their knowledge [4].
In the biblical narrative, wisdom is not limited to human understanding but is also associated with the fear of the Lord. The Tyndale House commentary on Proverbs 15:16 notes that a healthy fear for the Lord counteracts inner turmoil and brings inner peace [8]. This fear is not about being afraid but rather about having a deep reverence for God's power and majesty.
The profitability of wisdom is also highlighted in the context of adversity. According to Tyndale House on Ecclesiastes 7:11, wisdom and money are powerful means to bring benefit, but only wisdom can save one's life [9]. This underscores the idea that while material wealth can provide temporary advantages, wisdom offers long-term benefits that can be life-saving.
The biblical concept of wisdom is not just about individual benefit but also has communal implications. The wise are encouraged to seek God earnestly, as seen in Jamieson, Fausset & Brown's commentary on Job 8:5, which advises seeking God "betimes" or early, making it the first and chief anxiety [6].
The Reformed tradition, as represented by Calvin's commentary on Philippians, Colossians, and 1-2 Thessalonians, defines Christian wisdom as knowing what is advantageous or expedient [7]. This understanding emphasizes the practical application of wisdom in daily life, focusing on what is profitable for the believer.
Sources
- Job “Job 22:2 (Webster) — Can a man be profitable to God, as he that is wise may be profitable to himself?”
- Ecclesiastes “Ecclesiastes 7:12 (DRC) — Wisdom with riches is more profitable, and bringeth more advantage to them that see the sun.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Wisdom of God, The — Is one of his attributes -- 1Sa 2:3; Job 9:4. Described as Perfect. -- Job 36:4; 37:16. Mighty. -- Job 36:5. Universal. -- Job 28:24; Da 2:22; Ac 15:18. Infinite. -- Ps 147:5; Ro 11:33. Unsearchable. -- Isa 40:28; Ro 11:33. Wonderful. -- Ps 139:6. Beyond human comprehension. -- Ps 139:6. Incomparable. -- Isa 44:7; Jer 10:7. Underived. -- Job 21:22; Isa 40:14. The gospel contains treasures of -- 1Co 2:7. Wisdom of saints is derived from -- Ezr 7:25. All human wisdom derived from -- Da 2:1. Saints ascribe to him -- Da 2:20. Exhibited in His works. ”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Prudence — Exhibited in the manifestation of God's grace -- Eph 1:8. Exemplified by Christ -- Isa 52:13; Mt 21:24-27; 22:15-21. Intimately connected with wisdom -- Pr 8:12. The wise celebrated for -- Pr 16:21. They who have Get knowledge. -- Pr 18:15. Deal with knowledge. -- Pr 13:16. Look well to their goings. -- Pr 14:15. Understand the ways of God. -- Ho 14:9. Understand their own ways. -- Pr 14:8. Crowned with knowledge. -- Pr 14:18. Not ostentatious of knowledge. -- Pr 12:23. Foresee and avoid evil. -- Pr 22:3. Are preserved by it. -- Pr 2:11. Suppress angry fee”
- Proverbs (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Proverbs 24:13: So shall the knowledge of wisdom be unto thy soul,.... Or let it be taken in as greedily and with as good an appetite; as pleasant, useful, delightful, and profitable; even the knowledge of Christ, the Wisdom of God, which is preferable to all things else, and more desirable than the most pleasant and profitable things in the world; and of the Gospel of Christ, the wisdom of God in a mystery, than which nothing is more sweet and comfortable to a truly gracious soul; it is like Ezekiel's roll, which was in his mouth as honey for sweetness, Eze 3:3; when thou hast ”
- Job (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Job 8:5: seek unto God betimes--early. Make it the first and chief anxiety (Psa 78:34; Hos 5:15; Isa 26:9; Pro 8:17; Pro 13:24).”
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Philippians, Colossians, 1-2 Thessalonians, section 5.6: ye may approve the things that are Here we have a definition of Christian wisdom — to know what is advantageous or expedient — not to torture the mind with empty subtleties and speculations. For the Lord does not wish that his believing people should employ themselves fruitlessly in learning what is of no profit: From this you may gather in what estimation the Sorbonnic theology ought to be held, in which you may spend your whole life, and yet not derive more of edification from it in connection with the hope of a h”
- Proverbs (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Proverbs 15:16: 15:16 A healthy fear for the Lord counteracts inner turmoil and brings inner peace. • Better to have little: See also 16:8.”
- Ecclesiastes (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ecclesiastes 7:11: 7:11-12 Wisdom and money are powerful means to bring us benefit. • but only wisdom can save your life: See 7:17; Prov 10:2; 11:4.”