BETTER is...Wisdom than Gold (3)

(S1) —Series: Choosing BETTER

Let go of the GOOD to grab hold of the BETTER—There is GOOD and there is BETTER

Week 1 — BETTER is...a day with God than a day without God!

(S2) — Memory verse #1 — Psalm 84:10

Practical steps—Constant Communion—Instant Obedience—Daily Desperation

Week 2 ~ Better is one handful

BETTER is…having LESS of what matters little, and MORE of what matters most!

(S3) — Memory verse #2 — Ecclesiastes 4:6

Practical steps —Let go of what matters little (cut back, throw out, turn off)—Fight for what matters most?

Today’s BETTER verse comes again from King Solomon, third king over Israel, who had obtained both wisdom and wealth, like no other. Learned some lessons along the way.

(S4) —Memory verse

Proverbs 16:16

Better is...get WISDOM, choose understanding over anything else!

There is GOOD ~ there is BETTER—Young couple on their date.

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(S5)

Throughout our lives, we are faced with making decisions — From childhood to our last days, we are confronted with a multitude of choices, ranging from simple to extremely difficult

Daily decisions—This morning you have had to make several decisions to be here—congratulations, you all have passed the test for week one, in choosing BETTER, making the decision to be here.

Some decisions are just a part of life, we give them little thought, while others require more investment of our time and consideration. Having great impact on ourselves and family.

Melissa/End of life paperwork

Certain seasons bring with them pivotal moments of decision

— Students are faced with ~ classes, sports, or academics, and career path. College ~ private or university, community or trade school, or not at all.

— Decisions about relationships: Dating relationaship—getting married or not—embracing singlness

(S6)

“Two in five young adults think marriage is an outdated tradition. A staggering 85 percent don’t think you need to get married to have a fulfilling and committed relationship. More women (52%) than men (41%) have this view of marriage.” Thriving Center Of Psychology

So much for saying yes to the dress!

—We make decisions on housing; rent or buy, having kids; now or latter or not at all. Moms stay at home or work, part-time or full-time. Teens ~ deciding whether to trade them in or not?

—Decisions like paying off debt, saving more, invest more. Buying a car; new/used, buy or lease Taking a vacation, or saving for college education.

— Having a dog, cat, bird or (tarantula)

— Aging parents/ourselves— faced with life decisions: Retire now, next year, move to warmer climate or pay the neighbor kid to shove our snow.

Our lives are filled with choices to be made, each and every day, from the simple to the more complicated. Chances are, someone here today who is feeling anxious about a decision to be made.

(S7)

“Life is a matter of choices, and every choice you make makes you.” John C. Maxwell

Who you are today, is a result of the decisions you made yesterday and, who you become tomorrow, is a result of the decisions you make today.

In Solomon’s experience, he learned there is a BETTER way to BETTER decisions—WISDOM from God.

6 How much better to get wisdom than gold, to choose understanding rather than silver!

Solomon had just inherited the royal throne over all of Israel/Judah—A man who sought after God (David)

(S8)

2 Chronicles 1:1 “Solomon son of David established himself firmly over his kingdom, for the Lord his God was with him and made him exceedingly great.”

Who made him great? Even with God on his side, he faced major challenges that made his decisions more difficult.

First, his age

1 Kings 3:7 But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties.

A young man maybe twenty...given great responsibility; to raise up a godly people in an ungodly world, and with it would come difficult decisions to be made. The task before young Solomon was great.

1 Kings 3:8 Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number.

We could say that the younger are less wise due to less life experience—Not always the case—

1 Timothy 4:12 “12 Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.”

With little life experience, his second challenge—Carrying the weight of measuring up to his predecessor (father)—Great King

Anyone ever had to follow a sibling ~ great athlete or extremely smart…

Solomon knew that alone he would not prevail in leading God’s people— It was custom that a sacrifice to God was in order—Tradition when a new leader was to take the throne.

(S9)

“3 and Solomon and the whole assembly went to the high place at Gibeon, for God’s tent of meeting was there, which Moses the Lord’s servant had made in the wilderness.” 6 Solomon went up to the bronze altar before the Lord in the tent of meeting and offered a thousand burnt offerings on it.”

King Solomon’s sacrificial gift was a most extravagant one!

Exodus 29:36 “Sacrifice a bull each day as a sin offering to make atonement. Purify the altar by making atonement for it, and anoint it to consecrate it.”

Not one, two, ten, but, 1000 bulls to the Lord—Was God pleased with his offering? Later that night he appeared before Solomon, to offer him in return anything his heart desired.

7 "What do you want? Ask, and I will give it to you!"

Make a choice Good or Better—What do you want from me? Anything is within your reach!

What if God came to you…ask me for whatever you want? What would you ask for? Good or better?

Fortune/abundance? Lottery tickets in hopes of having anything we desire ~ if only we were rich, life would be better….

Fame/a good name? ~ Many young people are drawn to the desire of a Hollywood life ~ American idol, big brother, gaming etc...

Power and praise/Purpose in your work? Climbing the corporate ladder or be content on the rung of a better life.

Would better be; a woman’s prayer answered after years of longing for a child—The healing of a loved one, a broken marriage restored, or a prodigal child returned home? Would you ask for good or better?

God is not a genie in a bottle

Solomon faced with the decision of a lifetime, chooses BETTER.

(S10)

1:10 Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of yours?"

Not riches, honor, long life, a powerful army...He simply asked for WISDOM—His response must have so moved God

(S11)

vs. 11-12

Gd intrusted Solomon with much! Because he sought BETTER, God’s blessing was greater than any other. No man would again receive such great earthly reward, all because he chose the BETTER, over wisdom over gold.

He went on to write more about wisdom than anyone else in all of scriptures. “Wisdom is better than strength, better than weapons of war, better than folly…

Proverbs 4:5, Get wisdom, get understanding .4:7 The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.

A King unlike Solomon, would have asked for things that would bring him power and strength over his people. Solomon’ asking for wisdom, reveals his desire to walk in faithfulness to God’s ways not his own, and to humbly lead his people as a man of God.

(S12)

Better is...get WISDOM, choose understanding over anything else!

He uses two most valuable commodities of the day; Gold and silver; to contrast the importance of having the eternal directive of god’s wisdom, over the temporal influence of worldly desires.

Who could use some of Gods wisdom in your life right now? In your relationships, finances, or in parenting in these difficult times. Who could use some eternal directive over health concerns or making life-impacting choices?

(S13)

Ever find yourself at a cross of decision? Ever made good decisions? Foolish ones? —Each time, I learned more and more of my need for God’s wisdom….

Left Granger for my own business

Solomon’s message summed up—Don’t be a fool, get wisdom (22 times)—Define one who is foolish

(S14)

1. FOOLS ACT BEFORE THEY THINK.

Wise people think before they act; fools don't—and even brag about their foolishness. Prov 13:16

The one who makes quick important decisions without thinking out thoroughly the consequences; Good or bad, is a fool.

James 1:19 You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to get angry.

Some decisions require a more thought out process ~ Job or career change. While others require an immediate response ~ Car, deer, brake or swerve. We can seek wisdom in short bursts or with longer prayerful consideration.

Either way, wise people seek counsel with the one who grants wisdom generously, before they act…

Elvis—Wise men say only fools rush in...

(S15)

2. FOOLS SPEND ALL THEY EARN

Proverbs 21: 20 The wise store up choice food and olive oil, but fools gulp theirs down.

The fool lives only for today, the wise prepare for the future. Jesus, “don’t store up what moth and rust destroy

(S16)

3. FOOLS HURT THOSE THEY LOVE.

The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down. Prov 14:1

She belittles, nags’ controls, ~ He is aggressive, angry, and self-seeking. Both, who lack wisdom, hurt those they love.

Matthew 7:26 But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand.

(S17)

4. FOOLS THINK THEY KNOW IT ALL.

Proverbs 12:15 Fools think their own way is right, but the wise listen to others.

Some refuse to change, to seek agreement or to take good direction from those who get wisdom from above. The wise listen well, always considering the ideas of others, even if they disagree. (LAR?) If we do or have done any of those things, Solomon in his Godly wisdom says we are foolish.

If wisdom is about choosing better, if Solomon is even half right than...HOW DO WE GET WISDOM?

3 things for our consideration and practice in our decision making.

(S18)

1. FEAR God

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy one is understanding. Prov 9:10

Wisdom and understanding come in our reverence for God. It doesn’t mean we walk around afraid, but that we have a HOLY AWE or view of God.

We fear many things ~ we fear consequences, what people think, failure, rejection and death—but do we fear God in all he is? Or, have we become too familiar with God, too relaxed in what it means to submit to his will and follow jesus

If god showed up here in his full glory, right now, would we be fall to our knees in adoration? Would we sing How Great Thou Art like never before? Would we see more clearly, how amazing his grace is…that saved a wretch...

If we truly feared God, asking for wisdom would be our first desire of each and every day, we rise. Then every decision we made, right or wrong, would bare an eternal weight, and have heavenly significance, that God can use for his glory.

My morning prayer ~ ‘God, grant me the WISDOM to handle each situation I encounter with grace so that my speech will be pleasing and my thoughts pure as I follow your direction.’

How do I get wisdom? Fear god

(S19)

2. ASK God

If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. James 1:5

God offered, and Solomon asked, only to receive wisdom over prosperity.

Do you ask? Do you ask, “God, not just for things, like a list on a check list, but for God to give you wisdom in specific areas of your life?

Matthew 7:7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.

When someone asks you a question, don’t you try to answer? Wouldn’t our loving God do the same for us? Open doors await, only our asking.

Solomon’s advice: Ask God! don’t seek wisdom in the tabloids, ask God. Don’t seek wisdom in your horoscope, ask god! Don’t search for hope in a fortune cookie. We only need to ask God…who so generously offers to all, and without judgement.

“Wisdom is never denied to any who have sincerely sought it out. Great peace have those who love wisdom.” MH commentary

How do I get wisdom…..ASK!

(S20)

3. Seek Godly COUNSEL from the WISE

Proverbs 13:20 Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble.

Be careful in seeking wisdom from those who don’t walk under God’s directive. You want to be wise, hang out mostly with people who walk by faith, not by sight.

Why, because our decisions make us and when we are influenced by people whose choices don’t line up with God’s ways we can get in trouble.

Parents, isn’t it our big concern, of our children, friends they are hanging with? Shouldn’t it be same for Christian adults, in seeking wisdom?

I’m not saying to dump all your misguided friends, but we must consider the problem of CONTINUAL contact with bad company, and how it can corrupt our character and lead us astray.

1 Corinthians 15:33 Don’t be fooled by those who say such things, for “bad company corrupts good character.”

Get wisdom? By being around godly people who seek wisdom from above.

I cherish all my friendship, but the wise godly people who love Jesus, I know or have known, have had the most Influence on my life.

What about your friendships? Who do you hang with most? Do they walk under God’s directive? If so, how much time are you spending with them?

(S16)

FEAR GOD—ASK GOD—Seek godly COUNSEL from the wise

I am not saying we are all fools and either is Solomon, but we should admit that we probably act in foolish ways at times…

Like riding bike with bell bottoms….shooting at each other….dug forts in sand hills…..stole cool-aid

How much better to get wisdom, to choose understanding over anything else!

God has already offered the question to us, by the sending of his only son to live as we live, to show us the path of life and choosing wisdom.

Matt. 7:24 “Therefore…. everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.

Even Jesus knows the wisdom of his heavenly father (Luke 12)

Do not worry about your life…30 For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31 But seek his kingdom, his WISDOM, and all these things will be given to you as well.

And because Jesus died and rose conquering death, a gift he left us, the wisdom of God in the Holy Spirit, to teach us until his return.

1 Corinthians 1:27-31 “27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28 God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, 29 so that no one may boast before him. 30 It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. 31 Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.””

We will have choices to make, even as we leave this place, the question is, will we FEAR God, ASK God and seek Godly COUNSEL from the wise?

Choose BETTER...Get wisdom….it’s yours for the asking!