Two Keys To Success - Proverbs 3:9-10,13-14,16

"Honor the Lord with your possessions and with the first produce of your entire harvest; then your barns will be completely filled, and your vats will overflow with new wine...Happy is a man who finds wisdom and who acquires understanding, for she is more profitable than silver, and her revenue is better than gold...Long life is in her right hand; in her left, riches and honor."

Contained in the wise and godly advice of Proverbs 3 are two keys for success.

The first key for success concerns how you handle your finances. Before you spend any of your income, first give to God. If you don't know how much to give, then a tithe or 10% is a good starting place.

You may think you will have less to spend if you first give to God, but God has a way of extending what you have left to meet your needs. If you first give to God, the proverb says, then your barns will be completely filled.

You honor God by first giving to Him out of your resources. Your giving demonstrates that you trust God and not your paycheck to supply your needs.

While the first key to success has to do with giving, the second key to success is about getting. The proverb says that while acquiring godly wisdom is more important even than financial success, still wisdom and understanding lead to a long life and riches.

Wisdom is so important to acquire because wisdom is the creative energy of God. Wisdom is what established the universe:

The Lord founded the earth by wisdom
and established the heavens by understanding.
By His knowledge the watery depths broke open,
and the clouds dripped with dew. (vs. 19-20).

Wisdom accompanied by giving can ensure success in your life in this world and the world to come. Because what you are investing in this life, you are investing in eternity.