August 19, 2026

Business by the Book

Proverbs 9:10  The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom:

Several times in these devotions we have considered wisdom. Chapter eight of Proverbs is dedicated to the benefits of wisdom. Someone may ask “what is wisdom,” or “how do you get wisdom,” or “where can you learn wisdom.”  According to Proverbs 4:7 wisdom is the principal thing (the word principal means “beginning, first, chief”). Therefore, some thought about the meaning of the word wisdom must be explored.

This devotional series is about business principles, but no discussion of the principles of business, as found in the Word of God, can rightly be explored without touching on the matter of wisdom. Wisdom is a foundational element to success in business as well as life in general.

Today’s verse tells us that the beginning of wisdom is the fear of the Lord. This is not a popular statement today. Many even say that this statement is contradictory to the teachings of the New Testament. However, this term is used in the New Testament. The word fear as used means “terror, awesome, respect, reverence, revered” (Strongs Concordance).

For example, as a boy I loved my mother and father; they were everything to me, but I also feared them in that they had the power to discipline me for improper behavior. Now, as a man that “fear” has been transferred from my earthly parents to my Heavenly Father. I love Him, but also know that he has within his purview the power to discipline me for improper behavior. That “fear” or reverence helps to keep me on that straight path that Jesus spoke about.

Suffice it to say, if any person desires the wisdom the Bible speaks of, the beginning of such wisdom is the reverential fear of God. Years ago individuals that lived by Biblical principles were called “God fearing.”   This is not a totally archaic teaching, it’s good for today too.

Dr. William Howe