The Defense of Wisdom and Money - Ecclesiastes 7:12

In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon said, “Wisdom is good with an inheritance: and by it there is profit to them that see the sun”, and in chapter seven and verse twelve of his book Solomon said, “wisdom is a defense, and money is a defense” where we read,

For wisdom is a defense, and money is a defense: 

but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom gives life to them that have it.

The verse reads, “For wisdom is a defense, and money is a defense:” Solomon began with the words, “for wisdom” or “because, since and on account that skill, shrewdness and prudence” “is a defense” which means “exists as a shade and shadow”, “and money” or “and silver metal, shekels or talents” “is a defense” which means “exists as a shade and shadow”. Solomon shared how skill and prudence as well as silver have a protective element to them.

The verse continues, “but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom gives life to them that have it.” Solomon added the words, “but the excellency of knowledge is” or “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover the advantage, gain and profit pertaining to perception, skill, discernment and understanding”, “that wisdom gives life” which means “that skill, shrewdness and prudence grants, bestows and assigns sustained living, quickening and preservation” “to them that have it” or “to the people whether male or female who possess and own it, wisdom”. Solomon said the advantage belonging to people who have discernment and understanding reveals that skill and prudence grant sustained living to the people who possess them.

When we consider Solomon’s words in this verse, we see how he valued “wisdom, money and knowledge” in a person’s life. Even though “wisdom and money” have their advantages, Solomon said “wisdom” or the use of knowledge puts a person in an advantageous condition. God wants to be in a personal intimate relationship with us through His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the dead after three days. When we put our faith and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and give us His Holy Spirit who will provide “wisdom and money” to us as well as the “knowledge” of how to employ “wisdom” in an advantageous manner in keeping with His purpose and will for ou.

Next time Solomon says, “consider the work of God”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".