Better Than Houses And Money!

A worthy wife is a crown for her husband, but a disgraceful woman is like cancer in his bones.

PROVERBS 19:14 SAYS, “Fathers can give their sons an inheritance of houses and wealth, but only the LORD can give an understanding wife.” The NIV uses the word prudent for understanding, and other Bible translations use the word wise or worthy. If being wise or prudent or worthy is better than inherited wealth of homes and money, how does the Bible define this concept?

• Proverbs 12:16: “A wise person stays calm when insulted.”
• Proverbs 12:23: “The wise don’t make a show of their knowledge, but fools broadcast their foolishness.”
• Proverbs 13:16: “The wise don’t think before they act.”
• Proverbs 14:8: “The prudent understand where they are going.”
• Proverbs 14:15: “The prudent carefully consider their steps.”
• Proverbs 22:3: “A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions.”

A common thread seems to run through these verses: The prudent person thinks it through.

Notice that prudence or wisdom isn’t a feeling. How many of your decisions are made out of emotions? Do you buy something because the person selling it is sweet or is your cousin or you owe your aunt some favor? (The favor is now a guilt offering!) Do you spend when you feel depressed or eat treats because you feel entitled?

For a week, track how you make decisions, and see how much emotion might be influencing your thought process.