Wisdom makes a remarkable claim about itself. It says: wisdom produces sustainable abundance!
Moreover, that abundance is of ultimate value to a leader because it’s better than material wealth.
In fact, the abundance of wisdom brings a leader honor.
Also, wisdom produces in a leader good judgment. Wherefore, wisdom produces sustainable abundance.
The Precept Explained:
Listen! Wisdom is available to everyone. Fact is, wisdom does bring wealth. But, more importantly, it brings that which has eternal value. Specifically, honor, right-standing with God, good judgment, and true, lasting life treasure! All that for loving wisdom! Proverbs 8.17-21 paraphrase
The Precept Applied:
What’s driving you?
In other words, what’s the motivation for your personal growth?
How about your spiritual growth?
For a few minutes, let’s set aside career development as a goal. Also, let’s set aside the motivations of power and influence. Or, that next promotion.
Instead, let’s spend some time looking at who we are as leaders. Specifically, ask yourself where you’re intentionally growing right now.
What personal traits are you purposefully developing?
What Is Sustainable Abundance?
Wisdom encourages us to seek her early (Proverbs 8.17). Thus, a top priority should be our personal growth.
Similarly, “early” can also indicate that a leader makes a precept-driven life an early-career priority.
Interestingly, finding wisdom doesn’t produce greater intelligence. Likewise, it doesn’t make me famous or politically powerful.
Instead, wisdom brings me honor, lasting wealth, and righteousness (Proverbs 8.18).
First, the honor or respect of others is one of those payoffs that exceeds anything of monetary value (Proverbs 8.18).
Second, the wealth produced by wisdom is durable or lasting (Proverbs 8.18). Thus, it’s not quickly expended.
Third, wisdom brings me righteousness, Proverbs 8.18 and 8.20. In other words, right standing with God. See Genesis 15.6 for the first usage of the word righteousness.
Simply put, I recognize the truth as expressed to me by God.
Fourth, wisdom enables me to to use good judgment that, in turn, produces decisions that are just and fair (Proverbs 8.20).
Lasting Treasure
Fifth, wisdom is an inheritance. Specifically, it opens to me the treasures of true existence (Proverbs 8.21).
In other words, I recognize what’s of real and lasting value.
The same word “treasure” that’s used in Proverbs 8.21 is also used in Deuteronomy 28.12 – “The Lord will open to you His good treasure …”
Therefore, God’s treasure for me, and to me, is literally the blessings He brings me!
It’s better to have little and be reverent than to have great treasure and be troubled by that wealth. Proverbs 15.16 paraphrase
Truly, wisdom produces sustainable abundance.
What’s Not Sustainable?
The true wealth produced by wisdom is lasting.
Conversely, quick fixes and get-rich-quick schemes are not lasting. Instead, those are the practices of the shallow-minded and the hardheaded!
What’s worse, according to Proverbs 1.32, those two practices are ultimately destructive. Thus, it’s foolish or complacent to think that ease and prosperity last forever.
Moreover, the turning back or lack of focus of the simple could very well indicate no learning at all from life experiences. Instead, it’s the same mistakes over and over!
Thus, no new insight. In fact, no personal growth!
Ultimately, not growing personally is destructive. Why? Because conditions around the leader are constantly changing.
Wherefore, no personal growth means the leader is increasingly out of touch with changing conditions.
Conversely, wisdom produces sustainable abundance. Actually, wisdom is the foundation for strong leadership; see Proverbs 8.14-16.
A good reputation, and the grace of God on my life, are more desirable than great wealth. Proverbs 22.1 paraphrase
Leadership Insights
Proverbs 1.7
For a leader, a desire for personal growth is critical. Likewise, the desire to build experiential insight is of great value.
Actually, personal growth through building self-awareness is a vital aspect of a leader’s preparation for professional advancement.
Additionally, “seek me early” speaks to not only desire, but also to clear focus. Where should I focus?
Well, on that which is of greatest long-term value, the growth of a just character.
You can work hard, become rich, but still have nothing! Conversely, you can give away all of yourself and have abundant riches! Proverbs 13.7 paraphrase
Personal Growth Benefits
Several traits are spin-offs from investing in personal growth. For example, greater discernment.
And, the ability to use good judgment to form sound decisions. Also, fair treatment of others because of a just character.
Of greatest value as a leader grows, I believe, is the recognition of that which is most critical. And, likewise, that which is most essential. My eternal nature.
What Matters Most
For a leader, it’s great to leave a legacy of significant accomplishment. Or, to overcome significant challenges. Also, to be viewed as inspiring and motivating.
Similarly, it’s commendable for a leader to be honored by peers and direct reports for being equitable in how he or she treats others. Finally, a legacy of ethical behavior is highly desirable.
All that said, in eternal terms, righteousness is the ultimate career reward for any leader.
Riches are of no value whatsoever when I must give account for my life. Hence, my need for right-standing with God! Proverbs 11.4 paraphrase
A Personal Observation
Right now, personal growth is having a compounding effect in my life. Thus, it’s not simply linear. Like growth through compounding of interest, intentional growth is compounding across multiple areas of my life.
For me, as I have purposefully developed my personal capabilities, I’ve seen improvements in my relationships, professional accomplishments, and sense of self-worth.
For me, this growth is tied deeply to a multi-year study of the precepts in Proverbs. Thus, this growth process is deeply spiritual for me.
Of all the growth investments I’ve made during my career, nothing has returned the payoff that I’m seeing through a study of the universal precepts in Proverbs.
Plug This In Today!
Personal growth is a deliberate choice I make.
Personal growth is an especially high-return activity for someone just starting their career.
Practically, personal growth is valuable at any stage of your professional career.
Growth that has the greatest impact is the result of a willingness to change. Also, a leader must identify reliable sources for guidance on how and where to grow.
The universal precepts of wisdom are a vital tool for leadership growth.
The precepts of wisdom yield priceless and lasting benefits such as honor, good judgment, and clear focus.
Therefore, wisdom produces sustainable abundance.
The Source of This Precept:
Proverbs 8.17-21
8.17-21 I (wisdom) love those who love me, and those who search for me find me. With me are riches and honor, lasting wealth and righteousness. My fruit is better than solid gold, and my harvest than pure silver. I walk in the ways of righteousness, along the paths of justice, giving wealth as an inheritance to those who love me, and filling their treasuries. Christian Standard Bible
Thanks for visiting. If you have any questions or comments, please contact me: larrydaleyoung@gmail.com
