| The Way of Victory |
Chapter 1 |
Page 6 |
The use of wisdom yields larger and better returns than does the use of silver or gold. Men may lend their money and get a certain percentage of gain. They may put it into business and it will yield them a certain return, great or small. Men get rich ofttimes in a few years. That is the kind of gain most people of the world think the best worth striving for. To get rich is the idea of success that is most common. But here is a secret for those who want to get rich-a secret well worth knowing. There is something that gives better returns than silver or gold in the world’s markets. It is wisdom. What does this mean? Is it that it is better to be wise than to be rich? Yes; but that is only part of the truth. What is said here is that a proper use of wisdom yields larger and better gains than the best use of money. Wisdom increases continually in the life of him who possesses it. Begin with a little and put it to practice, and it will multiply. One talent soon becomes two. A child goes to school, and if he is diligent his knowledge increases. Or take the wisdom of trusting and how experience enlarges it. The timid faith of to-day becomes the heroic confidence of to-morrow. Or take the wisdom of loving others. Only begin it and practise it, and your heart will expand and your hand will acquire new skill in ministering. Many a commonplace life, by simply using its plain gifts and opportunities, and beginning in a very small way to help others and do good in the world, has at length attained a measure of usefulness and helpfulness simply amazing. There is no other kind of life that brings such returns as the practice of wisdom. Then beyond this world the rewards will be eternal.
We are told that in Wisdom’s right hand are length of days, while in her left hand are riches and honour. Long life is not in itself a blessing. There is a legend of one who had a promise that the thing he asked for, whatever it might be, he would get. He prayed that he might not die, and his request was granted. He lived on and on and on. But he had forgotten to ask that he might not grow old, that the advance of the infirmities of old age might be arrested, and so he became older and older and feebler and feebler. Length of days like this would not be a blessing. No doubt true living tends to longevity. Sin shortens life. Some kinds of sin consume life as fire burns up wood. But those who live according to God’s laws will live out their allotted days. Besides, one year of wise and Christlike living, earnest and faithful, is better than ten years of selfishness and sin. Again, he who lives wisely lives for ever in the spiritual sense. “Whosoever liveth and believeth in Me shall never die.” “Riches and honour,” too, are part of wisdom’s portion. It may not be this world’s riches and honour. True riches are those which we can carry out of this world with us, and which we can keep always. Wisdom teaches us how to use even money so that it shall enrich us in eternity; how to lay up our treasures in heaven so that we shall find them there when we reach home. What we keep and spend on ourselves we really lose. What we give away in Christ’s name is all we really make our own for ever.
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