The Principal Thing

Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding. 

Proverbs 4:7 

… in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 

Colossians 2:3  

Knowledge is good, but wisdom is better. Our text identifies wisdom, as ‘the principal thing.’ What does that mean? It means that wisdom is supreme. We prize knowledge and rightly so. Knowledge is vastly superior to ignorance. Ignorance is inherently dangerous. Knowledge is good and more knowledge is better. Above these is wisdom. Wisdom is understanding. Wisdom uses knowledge rightly. If a person has knowledge without wisdom, they become arrogant and thereby foolish. Paul remarks in Corinthians, ‘Knowledge puffs up.’ We want knowledge, but we must have wisdom with it. Where can we go to acquire both? According to the second portion of our text the treasures of knowledge and wisdom reside in Christ. If we gain knowledge it will be through Christ. If we find wisdom, it will be in Christ. This means if we want these things, we will pursue Christ. To know Him and the Father Who sent Him is eternal life. Therefore, we make much of Christ. He gives what we cannot acquire anywhere else. Through Him we gain knowledge and the wisdom to understand.  

Our Holy and Wise God, 
we rejoice that You do not leave us in our ignorance. 
We praise You that You point us to the One 
in Whom resides wisdom and knowledge. 

Tomm Tice
Where the Bush is Burning