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<p>We are tempted to envy those that grow rich, and raise their estates and families, by such unjust courses as our consciences will by no means suffer us to use. But, to set aside that temptation, Solomon here shows that a man, with prudent management, may raise his estate and family by lawful and honest means, with a good conscience, and a good name, and the blessing of God upon his industry; and, if the other be raised a little sooner, yet these will last a great deal longer. 1. That which is here recommended to us as having the best influence upon our outward prosperity is <i>wisdom</i>, and <i>understanding</i>, and <i>knowledge</i>; that is, both piety towards God (for that is true wisdom) and prudence in the management of our outward affairs. We must govern ourselves in every thing by the rules of religion first and then of discretion. Some that are truly pious do not thrive in the world, for want of prudence; and some that are prudent enough, yet do not prosper, because they lean to their own understanding and do not acknowledge God in their ways; therefore both must go together to complete a wise man. 2. That which is here set before us as the advantage of true wisdom is that it will make men’s outward affairs prosperous and successful. (1.) it will <i>build a house and establish it</i>, <a class="bibleref" title="Prov.24.3" href="/passage/?search=Prov.24.3">Prov. 24:3</a>. Men may by unrighteous practices build their houses, but they cannot establish them, for the foundation is rotten (<a class="bibleref" title="Hab.2.9,Hab.2.10" href="/passage/?search=Hab.2.9,Hab.2.10"><span class="bibleref" title="Hab.2.9">Hab. 2:9</span>, <span class="bibleref" title="Hab.2.10">10</span></a>); whereas what is honestly got will wear like steel and be an inheritance to children’s children. (2.) It will enrich a house and furnish it, <a class="bibleref" title="Prov.24.4" href="/passage/?search=Prov.24.4">Prov. 24:4</a>. Those that manage their affairs with wisdom and equity, that are diligent in the use of lawful means for increasing what they have that spare from luxury and spend in charity, are in a fair way to have their shops, their warehouses, their <i>chambers, filled with all precious and pleasant riches—precious</i> because got by honest labour, and <i>the substance of a diligent man is precious—pleasant</i> because enjoyed with holy cheerfulness. Some think this is to be understood chiefly of spiritual riches. <i>By knowledge the chambers</i> of the soul are filled with the graces and comforts of the Spirit, those <i>precious and pleasant riches</i>; for the Spirit, by enlightening the understanding, performs all his other operations on the soul. (3.) It will fortify a house and turn it into a castle: <i>Wisdom is better than weapons of war</i>, offensive or defensive. <i>A wise man is in strength</i>, is in a strong-hold, <i>yea, a man of knowledge strengthens might</i>, that is, increases it, <a class="bibleref" title="Prov.24.5" href="/passage/?search=Prov.24.5">Prov. 24:5</a>. As we grow in knowledge we grow in all grace, <a class="bibleref" title="2Pet.3.18" href="/passage/?search=2Pet.3.18">2 Pet. 3:18</a>. Those that <i>increase in wisdom</i> are <i>strengthened with all might</i>, <a class="bibleref" title="Col.1.9,Col.1.11" href="/passage/?search=Col.1.9,Col.1.11"><span class="bibleref" title="Col.1.9">Col. 1:9</span>, <span class="bibleref" title="Col.1.11">11</span></a>. A wise man will compass that by his wisdom which a strong man cannot effect by force of arms. The spirit is strengthened both for the spiritual work and the spiritual warfare by true wisdom. (4.) It will govern a house and a kingdom too, and the affairs of both, <a class="bibleref" title="Prov.24.6" href="/passage/?search=Prov.24.6">Prov. 24:6</a>. Wisdom will erect a college, or council of state. Wisdom will be of use, [1.] For the managing of the public quarrels, so as not to engage in them but for an honest cause and with some probability of success, and, when they are engaged in, to manage them well, and so as to make either an
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