Proverbs 19:8

He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul: he that keepeth understanding shall find good.

Introduction

Proverbs teach us about life

Proverbs teach us practical lessons

I. The Soul is Precious

He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul...

The verse is not telling us to be narcissistic or selfish

Question: What happens when a person does not appreciate what they have? (wasted, broken, unused)

Life is a precious gift from God, that we should not take for granted!

What does the Bible tell us about our soul and our life?

And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

The soul is the essence of life

When the soul departs the body, the body dies

And it came to pass, as her soul was in departing, (for she died) that she called his name Ben-oni: but his father called him Benjamin.

How valuable is a Soul?

Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: 28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. 29 And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. 30 And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.

Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh! 8 Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire. 9 And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire.

Compared to your soul, your body parts are not valuable!

People appreciate vision and hands, but the soul is more valuable

life itself is precious and it should not be wasted

He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul...

People waste their life with drugs and alcohol

People waste their life by not doing anything meaningful

People waste their life by not thinking of the next generation

II. Spiritual Procrastination

He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul: he that keepeth understanding shall find good.

For many, “getting wisdom” is just not a high priority...

A prominent attitude in society is that i’ll do it later… I know “church is important”, I know the Bible is important, but I am kinda busy right now…I am too busy living my life to be bothered by spiritual matters.

Too many people procrastinate when it comes to spiritual matters, they simply have the wrong priorities in life!

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, 3 And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come. 4 Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage. 5 But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise: 6 And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them. 7 But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. 8 Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy.

Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. 2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: 4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. 5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. 6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. 7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. 8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. 9 But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. 10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. 11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. 12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. 13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

Put God First

Daily - make it a routine

Financially - Exercising your faith

Before Family - Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

III. Solution to the Problem

He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul: he that keepeth understanding shall find good.

There are many things that are wrong all around us, what can we do?

Many just complain, complaining does really solve anything...

We can do something

The Solution is to Get Wisdom

He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul: he that keepeth understanding shall find good.

Learn it

Acquire Wisdom

Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.

Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. 8 Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her. 9 She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee.

Live it

In Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, Scrooge was changed after being visited by the three spirits.

Some one said, ‘It not the things we don’t know that bother us, it is the things we do know that we are not willing to do.”

If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.

IV. A Simple Promise

He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul: he that keepeth understanding shall find good.

He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he.

The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward.

Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

Conclusion