Proverbs 3:16
“Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour.”
Continuing in the description of the value of wisdom, we now come to a verse that paints a picture of a win-win situation. Do you know what that is?
A Win-Win
The best example of a win-win in my life, aside from when my wife decided she wanted to marry me, comes from my years in sales. I believe it was Zig Ziglar who said, “You can have everything in life you want, if you will just help other people get what they want.” And that is absolutely true!
Without going into a lot of detail, I used to sell a particular big-ticket item. The potential to make a lot of money was always present, but so was the potential to take advantage of the client. I saw more than a few sales professionals convince a client to spend more than necessary, only to have the sale reversed a day later.
My philosophy was pretty simple – exceed the custormer’s expectations. How did I do that? By being an honest listener who never considered profit until after the client’s needs were met. Did I alway make money? No. But I made more than those who foolishly took advantage of others.
Even when I didn’t make and immediate paycheck, I could still sleep at night. That was truly a win-win.
Wisdom is a Win-Win
Solomon is saying that with wisdom comes both long life and honor. Many are the fools that seek riches, but die young. Many are the fools that seek long life, but die in shame.
Seek wisdom, and you will have not only what you need, but you may live long enough to enjoy it.
“So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.” – Matthew 6:31-33 NLT
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Proverbial Thought 
April 23rd, 2012 at 12:54 am
Win.
I was almost fired from a sales job for doing exactly the same thing. I did not always sell the best and most expensive items, but I did my best to get the customer what they needed. On top of that, I helped my co-workers make sales, and this hurt my numbers (meaning they were not as high as my employers felt they should be even though at least at the minimum). They would even come over from time to time to show me how to properly sell. Most of their sales in my store were returned within the 72-hour no-fault return limit.
As good as I can be at sales, I severely dislike sales. But I sure love people. I made some bad choices during that time, because I allowed the environment and other choices to change me. (Check out my blog tomorrow to find out a little of why!) However, I knew, even in my bad choices and weaking walk with Christ, that people just want to have someone listen … even if just for something they will replace or even return later.
April 23rd, 2012 at 7:03 am
I completely understand. I was really good at selling what I did. I even became a nationally ranked leader in that industry. The biggest problem I had, however, was the ever-increasing desire to just talk with people at the kitchen table, not try to “sell” them.
Later, when I went into the pastorate, I began to have a real conflict of interest. Every time I would look at a potential client, I would see a soul that needed the Lord. Every time I would talk with somebody about God, I could see a potential sale. Something had to give. So I walked away from sales. Now I just give riches away 😉
Anthony Psalm 57:2
Sent from iPhone.
April 24th, 2012 at 1:13 am
[…] Today’s Proverbial Thought continues to show the value of wisdom. We have seen over the past few days that Solomon has said that if we want happiness then we need to find wisdom (Proverbs 3:13-14). He then went on to say that obtaining wisdom is “more precious than rubies” (Proverbs 3:15), and if we obtain wisdom we can have both long life and honor (Proverbs 3:16). […]