Reading With the People of God #14 ProverbsSample

Wisdom & Life!

Wisdom isn’t just about knowing what to do. It’s about choosing the path that leads to life.

In Proverbs 21, Solomon contrasts the foolish and the wise. The foolish trust in power, pride, deceit, and self. But the wise pursue righteousness, justice, and integrity—even when it costs them. Verse 21 gives us a powerful promise: "When you pursue righteousness and kindness, you don’t just find morality—you find life."

“Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness, and honor.” — Proverbs 21:21 (ESV)

Paul echoes this in 2 Corinthians 4. He’s not talking about survival or physical health. In fact, he says plainly that the outer self is wasting away. Yet his inner self is alive, renewed by the Spirit daily. Why? Because he’s not living by what is seen but by what is unseen. He’s walking in the wisdom of eternity, not the short-term logic of comfort or reputation.

“So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.” — 2 Corinthians 4:16 (ESV)

Let’s connect the dots. How do we live a life of wisdom in light of Proverbs 21 & 2 Corinthians 4:

• The wise live with eternity in view. (2 Corinthians 4:18)
• The foolish live for now, for the next gain, the next nod of approval. (Proverbs 21:6, 24)
• The wise seek righteousness and mercy. (Proverbs 21:21, 2 Corinthians 4:1)
• The foolish plot, deceive, and pretend to be strong. (Proverbs 21:2, 7–8)

In God’s economy, wisdom always leads to life. Not just breath in your lungs, but the kind of life that has the power to endure hardship, glows with hope and reflects the character of Christ.

Is your life founded on the wisdom of God in Christ?

*Primer contributed by Doug Drainville, Pastor of Care, Cornerstone Community Church of Chowchilla.