Wisdom is a Choice

Proverbs 9:12 “If thou be wise, thou shalt be wise, for thyself: but if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it.”

I’m always amazed at the choices people make when it comes to food. Sometimes the greasiest, most unimpressive food joints are the ones that stay in business the longest! Food is a daily choice we all live with. For instance, do I want to have something nutritious today; or do I want something bad for me?

Here in Proverbs 9, Wisdom is offering a nutritious table to anyone who will partake. Verses 5 and 6 say, “Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled. Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding.” The question is, are you willing to choose what is best or will you settle for second-rate?

Verse 12 reminds us of the personal nature of our response to wisdom. Simply put, if you are wise, you will benefit; if you are foolish, you will bear it! It is true that what we do affects other people, but the person affected most is you. There are higher motivations for making wise choices, but one motivation for doing right is living with the consequences, whether good or bad.

Your response to wisdom is not like communism, where everyone is treated the same. Rather, wisdom is more like the free enterprise system. Proverbs 16:26 says, “He that laboureth laboureth for himself; for his mouth craveth it of him.” In other words, you will get out of life what you put into it. If you choose to walk in wisdom, you will see good things happen. If you choose to be foolish, you will see bad things happen. It is that simple.

Notice also our personal responsibility to wisdom. Wisdom is a choice. Verse 12 starts by saying, “If thou be wise. . . .” This implies that wisdom is a choice. It is not that some people are just born wise and others are born foolish. The invitation given by Wisdom to partake of her food is given to all. While some people are born with a higher I.Q. than others, wisdom is knowing what to do with the smarts God gave you.

The question is simple: what will you do with Wisdom? Do not scorn her invitation! Your choice will greatly affect the happiness of your life. Have enough wisdom today to ask the Lord to make you wise. This is a request God longs to fulfill! So choose today to eat at Wisdom’s table-you’ll be glad you did!