“He who gets wisdom loves his own soul,
he who cherishes understanding prospers.”
Proverbs 19:8

The writer of this Proverb was keenly aware of human nature: we tend to love our own soul and we desire prosperity.

Appealing to that gritty part of our nature, he then makes us see that if we truly love our soul, we will chase after wisdom, and if we truly desire prosperity, we will cherish understanding.

Wisdom doesn’t just expand our minds, it nourishes our souls. If I love my mind and my soul, I will intentionally seek after wisdom.

Wisdom is the best prescription for soul care.

So often we think of money when we hear the word “prosperity.” But defining prosperity with dollar signs is shallow, temporal and certainly unsatisfying. Prosperity is more about meaningful relationships than amassing resources. And the key to strong, meaningful relationships is understanding.

Thinking of relationships, several life connections come to mind: family, marriage, work, church committees, small groups, political parties, community organizations, and a myriad of others. When disagreements arise in those relationships, what is the goal? Is winning and getting my way the chief aim? Is the conversation about me – and only me – making my preferences and opinions heard? While the other person is speaking, am I listening … or planning what I will say next?

It seems easy to cherish understanding when everyone agrees. But when conflict arises, we’re presented with a true opportunity to demonstrate a heart of wisdom that cherishes understanding. In that moment, listening trumps talking, and understanding triumphs over winning. Prosperity looks like unity, collaboration, and even compromise. It means the person across from me is more valuable than getting my way. The relationship matters. Understanding the other person’s perspective matters.

If winning is my goal, then unavoidably, by its very definition, someone else loses. Who wants to be a part of a family, a team, a committee, or a workplace with ONE winner and a whole bunch of losers?

The writer of Proverbs doesn’t just say to walk in understanding, or to practice understanding, or to seek after understanding. Instead, he challenges us to cherish understanding.

The writer of Proverbs doesn't just say to walk in understanding, or to practice understanding, or to seek after understanding. Instead, he challenges us to CHERISH understanding. Click To Tweet

As I learn to cherish understanding, relationships will be transformed. People become important. I’m letting go of managing behaviors or manipulating people to persuade them to agree with me. I acknowledge the inherent value of the other person, and want to honor and respect this individual whether he or she is my child, spouse, co-worker, co-laborer, or even my enemy.

If I want to nurture my own soul and if I want prosperity, I will cherish understanding.

Lord, would you transform our hearts? Forgive us for the selfish ways of our past. Forgive us for seeing getting our way as the only way. Give us hearts that truly cherish understanding. Holy Spirit, work in us to be peacemakers, problem solvers, and people lovers. Make us prosperous in the ways that matter for eternity.

The woman of God cherishes understanding.

 

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