But, What's In It For Me?
The Pursuit of Biblical Wisdom
The Universal Question
A critical question that often drives our thoughts and actions in life is, "What's in it for me?" I have been amazed at how quickly this comes up with my kids. I am often met with "why?" and "how come?" when it comes to anything from cleaning their rooms or asking them not to punch their brothers in the face! In all honesty, I find myself asking the very same questions when it comes to eating better, or hitting the gym instead of sitting on the couch.
This question isn't inherently selfish—it reflects our God-given desire to understand purpose and meaning. We were created as rational beings who naturally seek to comprehend the value and consequences of our choices. The beauty of Scripture is that it doesn't shy away from this fundamental human tendency; instead, it provides compelling answers that satisfy both our hearts and minds.
Proverbs 8 allows us to answer that question in regard to wisdom: What is the benefit for a believer to pursue wisdom? In this chapter, we find two primary reasons that encourage us to be in constant pursuit of God's wisdom, along with a profound revelation about the nature of wisdom itself that points directly to Christ.
(Source: Horne, Charles, and Julius Bewer. The Bible and Its Story: The Prophets, Isaiah to Ezekiel. Vol. 7. New York, NY: Francis R. Niglutsch, 1909.)
Wisdom Guides Us Into Godliness (Proverbs 8:1-5)
It's fascinating to see how verse 2 orients us around the accessibility and relevance of wisdom. It says wisdom calls out at the crossroads and beside the gates in front of the town (Proverbs 8:2-3) but then extends all the way to the heavens (Proverbs 8:22). This geographical imagery is significant—the crossroads represent the decision points of daily life, while the city gates were the centers of commerce, justice, and community interaction in ancient Israel. Wisdom isn't relegated to ivory towers or academic institutions; she positions herself where life happens, where ordinary people make consequential choices.
The Hebrew word for "calls out" (קָרָא, qara) carries the connotation of a public proclamation or urgent announcement. This isn't a whispered invitation but a bold, authoritative summons. Wisdom demands our attention because she understands the stakes involved in our daily decisions. Every crossroad we encounter—whether in relationships, career choices, moral dilemmas, or spiritual struggles—becomes an opportunity to either embrace or reject divine godly guidance.
Wisdom is relevant and necessary in every area of life, and because of this necessity, God makes wisdom easily accessible (Proverbs 8:5). The word "simple" in verse 5 comes from the Hebrew פֶּתִי (peti), which doesn't imply stupidity but rather refers to those who are inexperienced, naive, or easily influenced. God's wisdom is available even to those who lack sophistication or formal education—a beautiful reminder that divine truth transcends human credentials.
There is such comfort in knowing that wisdom "calls out to us." Wisdom is actively making an appeal for humanity to embrace her. Here we find a beautiful tension: First, that wisdom calls out, and second, that it is up to us to seek it out (Proverbs 8:17). The Hebrew verb for "seek diligently" (שָׁחַר, shachar) means "to seek early" or "at dawn," suggesting the earnestness of someone who rises before sunrise to accomplish an important task. This pursuit isn't casual or convenient—it requires intentionality, persistence, and priority.
The result is an assurance to find this gracious gift God has given humanity to guide them into godliness. This promise isn't contingent on our worthiness but on God's faithfulness to reveal Himself to those who genuinely seek Him.
Wisdom Fuels Our Morality (Proverbs 8:6-13)
We don't pursue wisdom just to gather information or win theological debates. The wisdom of God informs our actions and behavior in the most practical ways. It shapes us from the inside out, and through the power of the Holy Spirit, conforms us into the image of Christ. This transformation isn't merely intellectual but deeply moral and spiritual.
The Hebrew word for "excellent things" in verse 6 (נָגִיד, nagid) can also be translated as "noble" or "princely" things. Wisdom doesn't deal in trivialities or superficial insights; she offers counsel worthy of royalty. When we align ourselves with divine wisdom, we begin to think, speak, and act in ways that reflect our identity as children of the King.
God directs our steps and holds us accountable in our morality and actions when we prioritize and pursue instruction, knowledge and wisdom (Proverbs 8:10-11).
The progression here is significant: instruction leads to knowledge, which culminates in wisdom.
This isn't a linear process but a cyclical one, where each element reinforces and deepens the others.
In Hebrew, the word translated as "instruction" (מוּסָר, musar) can also be translated "discipline." This term encompasses both the positive aspect of guidance and the corrective aspect of rebuke. Our submission to the discipline/instruction of God is a means of refining who we are. Like gold purified in fire, we are shaped through both gentle guidance and loving correction. The Hebrew understanding of discipline isn't punitive but restorative—designed to bring us back into alignment with God's perfect will.
When applied, God's wisdom produces godliness in every sphere of life. As we pursue the wisdom of God, we can see all the good that comes from it: better relationships, clearer decision-making, deeper contentment, and a growing resemblance to Christ. However, what we really find as the best answer to "What's in it for me?" is that when we find wisdom, we find life (Proverbs 8:35). The Hebrew word for "life" (חַיִּים, chayyim) implies not just biological existence but vibrant, abundant, meaningful life—the kind of life Jesus promised when He said, "I came that they may have life and have it abundantly" (John 10:10).
The Christological Heart of Wisdom (Proverbs 8:22-31)
My favorite part of studying Scripture is when I find sections that create anticipation and longing for Christ. Right in the middle of this chapter, we find a section that powerfully alludes to Jesus (Proverbs 8:22-31). We discover that wisdom is older than the universe itself and plays a fundamental role in its very creation (Proverbs 8:22). The Hebrew word קָנָה (qanah) translated as "possessed" or "acquired" has sparked theological discussion for centuries, but the overall picture is clear: wisdom existed before all created things and was intimately involved in the creative process.
How do these details connect us to Jesus? Take a moment and read these New Testament allusions to this section of Proverbs:
Colossians 1:15-17,
Colossians 2:2b-3,
1 Corinthians 1:24; 30,
John 1:1-14,
Hebrews 1:1-4.
Do you see the brilliance of God's Word on display? We find in these verses that Jesus is the very wisdom of God. Jesus is also the power of God. He was the active agent before the foundations of time and space, Who not only took part in all of creation, but today sustains all of creation through His power and might. The Greek word σοφία (sophia) used for wisdom in the New Testament carries the same rich meaning as the Hebrew חָכְמָה (chokmah)—not merely intellectual knowledge but the perfect integration of knowledge, understanding, and righteous action.
In just 10 verses, we are connected to the glories of Christ who redeems, sustains and sanctifies. This connection transforms our pursuit of wisdom from a self-improvement project into an encounter with the living God. When we seek wisdom, we're not just acquiring principles or insights—we're drawing near to Jesus Himself, who is the embodiment of all wisdom.
Conclusion: Scripture's Unified Message
Friends, all of Scripture points to Christ. The Old Testament anticipates His coming. The New Testament declares His arrival. The book of Revelation promises His return. This isn't merely a theological concept but a practical reality that should fuel our daily pursuit of wisdom. When we ask, "What's in it for me?" regarding the pursuit of divine wisdom, the answer is gloriously simple: we get Jesus. And in Him, we find everything our hearts truly long for—life, purpose, transformation, and eternal joy.
The question isn't whether pursuing wisdom is worth it; the question is whether we're willing to rise early, seek diligently, and make the pursuit of Christ our highest priority. Wisdom is calling out at every crossroads of our lives. Will we listen?