Everyone wants a better life. It’s become an obsession in the USA - the striving to get ahead, have more, the pursuit of happiness. Most people think of a better life in terms of increased income, winning the lotto, having a better house, newer car, special toys, etc.

Most religions teach that the “next life” will be a better life than this one. Their suffering adherents are told to suffer now but the next life will be a better one. But can we have a better life now and in the future?

The Bible tells us that the way to a better life now is through wisdom (Proverbs 1:1-7). This wisdom is designed to guide us through a maze of decisions and to help us to make beneficial choices that lead to peace, holiness, happy and healthy relationships. This wisdom is from above and is peaceable (James 3:17) and God will grant it to those who seek it (James 1:5f).

The beginning of wisdom is the fear of the LORD and if you are wise it will benefit you personally (Prov. 9:10-12). The values of wisdom are extolled in the Bible-being better than precious metals, jewelry, strength, and even weapons of war, or anything else you could desire (Prov. 3:14-16; 8:11; 16:16; Ecc. 9:16,18; Prov. 8:19).

While wisdom holds out the promise of riches (Prov. 3:14-16), there are times when being poor is better than having riches (Prov. 15:16; 19:1; 16:8; Ecc. 4:6). Wisdom dictates qualities like self-control and kindness (Prov. 16:32; 19:22). Those who have wisdom know the value of peace and avoiding stress and conflicts (Prov. 17:1; 21:9). They know the value of a good reputation over material possessions (Ecc. 7:1).

They know not to forsake their own friends or old family friends of their parents (Prov. 27:10). They know that a close neighbor or friends is better than a relative far away (Prov. 27:10).

Gaining wisdom helps one to know that before honor comes humility and that the formula for exaltation is first to humble oneself (Prov. 25:7). Jesus used this wisdom in advising people in His day against taking the seat of honor at a wedding supper. He told them, “When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited. If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, ‘Give this many your seat.’ Then, humiliated, you will have to take the least important place. But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, ‘Friend, move up to a better place.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all your fellow guests. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted” (Luke 14:7-11 NAS).

The wise person knows that as long as s/he has life there is hope of things becoming better regardless of how bad they are presently (Ecc. 9:4). Therefore, suicide is not an alternative to life’s problems regardless of how bleak things seem to be at the time.

If you get wisdom, you do it for yourself. And if you don’t, you will be the one to pay the price for foolish decisions. Wisdom must be sought after and asked fore (James 1:5f) and if it is God will grant it to you. A gift that you will never regret.

David L. Antion for Guardian Ministries (www.guardian-ministries.org)