Crown Me

(Proverbs 14:24 KJV)  The crown of the wise is their riches: but the foolishness of fools is folly.

How you understand this verse depends on what you understand the “crown” (5850) to be.  The modern materialist would think that “riches” (6239) is the crown.  This would fit with the thinking of even that day and the day of Jesus.  Many people think that your wealth and status is a result of God blessing you because you are a fine fellow.  It gives you an excuse to look down your nose at those less fortunate.

That is not the point here.  The wealth that is the focus is the “crown of wisdom” not your bank balance.  Your crown is wisdom, not social standing. 

This is hard for us to embrace because everything around us drives in the other direction.  It is like going up the stairs on the right side in middle school.  They are all coming down on the up side.  The ones who are not coming down are sitting and staring at their phones.  I am in the right but it is very hard to move forward.

So?  Don’t assume that struggles are a sign of failure.  Consider that you might be the only one going in the right direction, not because you are brilliant but because you are obedient.