The Richest Man Who Ever Lived Ch 15

The Importance of Wisdom

• Wisdom is like a foundation for a building, providing stability in life.
• Without wisdom, personal and business lives lack a solid base for success and resilience.
• Wisdom is not the same as knowledge, which is merely the acquisition of information.
• Understanding is the ability to discern and value practical truths from information.
• Wisdom is applying those valued truths to various life situations.

Benefits of Wisdom

• Wisdom provides a checking account of knowledge for drawing upon in any situation.
• Wisdom helps understand personal behavior and make better choices.
• Wisdom serves as a "fountain of life," bringing joy, fulfillment and creating a positive impact on others.
• Wisdom earns the favor of those in authority, leading to recognition and rewards.
• Wisdom brings value, honor, and riches, both material and spiritual.
• Wisdom offers protection and safety from deception, unethical individuals, and compromising situations.
• Wisdom contributes to a longer life.

Consequences of Not Gaining Wisdom

• A life without wisdom lacks purpose, fulfillment, and happiness, leading to a state of spiritual death.
• Without wisdom, decisions may seem right initially, but lead to negative consequences.
• Self-deception is a common consequence of lacking wisdom, leading to misguided actions and justifications.
• Foolish decisions are a hallmark of those lacking wisdom, with consequences like ruined careers, lost jobs, and broken relationships.

Characteristics of a Fool

• Fools close their ears to instruction and are resistant to guidance.
• Fools speak impulsively without considering consequences, leading to harm.
• Fools repeat the same foolish behavior, refusing to learn from past mistakes.
• Fools fail to respond to punishment and continue harmful patterns.
• Fools trust solely in their emotions and fail to seek wise counsel or look at situations objectively.
• Fools can tear down their own families and relationships through harmful actions and poor choices.

Acquiring Wisdom

• Solomon urges seeking wisdom as one would seek hidden treasure.
• Value wisdom above material possessions and make consistent effort to acquire it.

The Value of Wisdom

• Wisdom should be valued more than material possessions, wealth, or investments.
• Active learning is encouraged; question and actively seek information.
• Wisdom is acquired through external sources and counsel, not solely from within.
• Seeking advice from parents, especially regarding career choices, can be beneficial.

Wisdom From Proverbs

• The author, drawing from his own typing experience, emphasises the value of following parental advice.
• Proverbs 1:5 encourages increase in learning and seeking wise counsel.
• Proverbs 1:8 advises to cherish the teachings of parents.
• Solomon, the author of Proverbs, believed God provided him with the wisdom captured within the book.
• Proverbs 4:20-22 underlines the importance of immersing oneself in the wisdom of Proverbs, seeing it as life-giving.

Receiving Wisdom

• Wisdom, like food and water, requires more than just tasting or awareness.
• Proverbs 4:10 advises to not only "hear" but also "receive" wisdom.
• Applying and integrating wisdom into one's life is essential for it to translate into valuable action.
• Keeping the principles of wisdom at the forefront of thinking and vision is emphasized.

Continued Learning

• Solomon encourages daily reading of Proverbs for two years.
• Proverbs 3:21-24 offers wisdom as a source of life, safety, and peace.
• Proverbs encourages holding on to instruction, as it is life-giving.