WWW = Worship Wisdom Wealth
Now you are probably wondering what the connection is between worship, wisdom and wealth? Proverbs reveals a link between all three!
“The starting point for acquiring wisdom is to be consumed with awe as you worship Jehovah-God…Unending wealth and glory comes to those who discover where I (wisdom ) dwells…” (Proverbs 9:10, 12 The Passion Translation)
We all desire long life, success, increased effectiveness, contented living and even wealth. Governments and business are built and driven by society needing these. But wealth is not necessarily gold and silver. The wealthiest person may have no money in the bank but to be loved and have a contented life is wealth money cannot buy. And did you know these actually come from wisdom?
“To live in the worship and awe of God will bring you many years of contented living…Wisdom will extend your life, making every year more fruitful than the one before.” (Proverbs 10:27 9:11 TPT)
But it is not the wisdom of governments or business savvy. The wisdom that produces a long contented life and wealth actually begins and start with the worship of Almighty God!
Traditionally Proverbs 9:10 reads, “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom”. The word often translated fearactually means to revere reverence and be in awe of.
When we read fear we think of the negative kind which paralyses you, stops you from being yourself and from living your dreams. But the fear of the Lord is totally different. It is good. It means to respect, admire, look up to, and be in awe of. It is a healthy, clean, positive, life giving and life changing fear. It may be a kin to having a fear of sticking a knife into a live electric socket is a healthy fear that gives life. Having fear of a rip current in an ocean is out of respect for the force of nature. The fear one would have in having an audience with a member of the royal family is out of reverent fear for who they are.
Worship and “fear of the Lord” are very close in meaning. The Greek word used in the New Testament for worship is proskuneō and it means to prostrate oneself in homage in respect and reverence (even flat on the face) and to adore. Worship is about responding in awe to the splendour and majesty of God who is beyond our comprehension. We respect Him because He is so big, so powerful. He holds the whole universe in the span of His hands. Holding planet earth in your hand would be amazing…but the whole universe? (Isaiah 40:12) Yet we similarly love and adore Him because His love, mercy and kindness are also beyond our comprehension. What Father would allow His Son to die for millions of ungrateful and rebellious people?
Wisdom begins with worship. Worship has a triple A rating – it begins with awe, amazement and adoration.
The real wealth from worship and wisdom is not measured in a blessed life but the privilege that the Creator of the universe loves us and provided a way for us to have an intimate relationship with Him.
Now that is awesome!