“There is gold and a multitude of rubies, but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel…Happy is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gains understanding; for her proceeds are better than the profits of silver and her gain than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies, and all the things you may desire cannot compare with her. Length of days is in her right hand, in her left hand riches and honor. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her and happy are all who retain her” (Proverbs 20:15; 3:13-18).
Gold and jewels have always been esteemed as valuable material assets. Because of their scarcity, they have been used throughout history as a common measuring stick of a person’s wealth. A treasure chest full of gold and jewels is an indication of personal prosperity.
Far greater in value to these indicators of material wealth are lips of knowledge. They—like wisdom and understanding— “cannot be purchased for gold, nor can silver be weighed for their price…Neither gold nor crystal can equal them, nor can they be exchanged for jewelry of fine gold (Job 28:15, 17).
Because knowledge’s starting point is the fear of the Lord (Prov. 1:7), material wealth is immaterial to its accumulation. Therefore, lips of knowledge are greater in value than gold and a multitude of rubies.
