How much better to get wisdom than gold, to get insight rather than silver! Proverbs 16:16
One of the biggest steps of faith I have taken in recent years has been investing in my education and training as an esthetician. Between tuition, certifications, products, equipment, treatment room décor, and supplies, I have invested far more than I ever imagined. Thankfully I didn’t have to go in debt in this new era as an esthetician (facial specialist).
To be honest though, there have been moments when I have looked at the numbers and wondered, Lord, will I ever recover this investment?
As I prayed, I found myself asking God to bless my business. While that sounds spiritual, if I am honest, I was mostly thinking about financial blessings.
Then God brought me to the story of Solomon.
In 1 Kings 3:5-15, God appeared to Solomon in a dream and said, “Ask what I shall give you.”
Imagine being given that opportunity! Solomon could have asked for riches, success, power, or long life. Instead, he asked for wisdom to govern God’s people well.
God was pleased with Solomon’s request because he had asked for something greater than wealth. He asked for the ability to make wise decisions. God not only gave Solomon wisdom, but He also gave him riches and honor beyond anything he could have imagined.
As I reflected on this passage, I sensed the Lord speaking to my heart:
“Debbie, stop asking Me for financial blessings. Ask Me for wisdom.”
After all, what good is financial success if I do not know how to steward it? What good is a thriving business if I lack the wisdom to truly help the people God sends to me?
Recently, God gave me an opportunity to practice what He has been teaching me.
A dear friend came for a facial. She is walking through a very painful season in her life. One that is causing her to wilt inside almost to the point it is hard for her light to shine at all and it’s apparent her skin tells part of the story. Stress, grief, exhaustion, and worry often leave visible footprints.
As I cared for her skin, I felt the Lord prompting me to be generous because her financial future is very unsure right now. I knew as much as she might realize her need to care for her skin that she would postpone it until her financial situation was more stable.
I cheerfully gave her a full BellaMe skincare regimen, Hydrate and Collagen Boost, along with Immunity dissolvable strips to increase her C and D vitamins and to aid her with headache pain. To help with her constant battle with anxiety I shared BellaMe Exhale dissolvable strips to aid her when she just needed that extra support to find a calmer emotional state. I gave her clear instructions on how to use each product and my hope is she will begin to glow again.
From a business perspective, some might question that decision.
From God’s perspective, I believe it was wisdom.
Wisdom recognizes that people are more important than products.
Wisdom understands that sometimes ministry comes before profit.
Wisdom sees a hurting person instead of a sales opportunity.
I don’t know if that gift will ever return to me financially. But I do know this: wisdom guided that decision, and I trust God with the results.
Perhaps that is the lesson Solomon learned as well. Soon after receiving wisdom, he was tested when two women stood before him, each claiming the same baby as her own. Solomon’s wisdom revealed the true mother and established his reputation throughout the kingdom.
Wisdom is not proven by what we know.
Wisdom is proven by how we use what we know.
Today, I am praying a different prayer:
“Lord, don’t make me wealthy. Make me wise. Give me wisdom to care for people well, steward my business faithfully, make good decisions, and honor You in everything I do. If financial blessings come, let them be the byproduct of wisdom, not the goal of my pursuit.”
Because Proverbs 16:16 reminds us:
“How much better to get wisdom than gold, to get insight rather than silver!”
Prayer
Father, thank You for reminding me that wisdom is more valuable than wealth. Help me seek Your heart before I seek financial success. Give me wisdom in every business decision, every client interaction, and every opportunity to serve. Teach me to steward what You have entrusted to me and to love people more than profit. May my business be a reflection of Your wisdom, generosity, and compassion. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
