August 17, 2026

Business by the Book

Proverbs 8:21  That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures.

A story surfaced years ago about a man in Europe who purchased an old estate at auction. The house and outbuildings were in poor repair because no one had lived there in many years. Upon the death of the owners, their children had no desire whatsoever to own such a dilapidated homestead. After years of neglect the upkeep of the estate would cost more than its value so they sold it to the highest bidder at an auction.

The person purchasing the property was glad to own such a vast estate. He and his wife began repairing the huge old home making it livable. After months of work on the home the man decided to explore the out buildings in depth. There was a huge barn somewhere on the back of the property and upon entering the old broken down building the man found a barricaded and locked door. It was a huge door, the kind that slides to the side on rollers. It was obvious that the door had not been opened in many years. Finally the man was able to open the door enough to slide into the vast room.

In that room he found an unexpected treasure. Cars! Not just any cars, but collector cars, ancient cars, expensive cars, and cars that had been carefully stored. Upon inspection these cars were valued at many times what the man paid for the estate. He found his treasure.

This will probably not happen to you, but treasure can be yours. Today’s verse guarantees it, but you must do your part. You must love wisdom. This cannot be faked, fabricated, or falsified. A real, genuine, sincere, lifetime love for wisdom will bring lifetime substance and treasures. Just as the man who found the cars did not invest in them but benefited from owning them, you too can benefit in substance and treasures if you grow to love wisdom.

Dr. William Howe