"I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently find me. Riches and honor are with me, enduring wealth and righteousness" (Proverbs 8:17-18).
Even though wisdom has called out to everyone in the city streets, she is only acquired by those who love her. The benefits of her love are described in terms of riches and wealth as well as honor and righteousness. Linking these four things together tells us that she offers the kind of riches and wealth that are not of this world.
The Hebrew word for "enduring" means "surpassing" or "eminent." The wealth that comes to the one who loves wisdom is the real thing. The riches she offers are not the worldly substitutes that come with gold and silver. As we have been told several times, wisdom is more valuable than those earthly minerals.
To truly be honored in one's community, it will take a life lived well by the loving instruction of wisdom. Superficial honor is gained by a big bank account. Those who spend their life pursuing gold and silver are chasing after the kind of honor that is fleeting, never enduring.
Today's passage reminds us that the real treasure we seek is found in godly living. It is our love for wisdom that will lead us to that real treasure, for it is wisdom that offers us our only chance at a godly life.
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