The central theme of today's discourse revolves around the profound notion that the fear of the Lord serves as the foundational pillar of wisdom. As articulated in Proverbs 9:10, this reverence is not merely a state of trepidation but rather an alignment with divine principles that guides our actions and decisions. We delve into the significance of prioritizing God above all else, emphasizing that a heart that fears the Lord shall not be ensnared by the fears of this world. Furthermore, we explore the detrimental effects of pride, which obstructs prosperity and leads to cycles of folly. In conclusion, we are called to examine our fears, embrace correction, and place God at the forefront of our lives to cultivate a legacy characterized by peace and stability. The introduction of our new series on Proverbs sets the stage for an exploration of fundamental truths regarding wisdom, fear, and prosperity. Central to this first message is the assertion that the fear of the Lord is not merely a reverential respect but the essential starting point for wisdom, as articulated in Proverbs 9:10. The speaker emphasizes that wisdom, divorced from a proper understanding of God, is futile. This foundational fear serves as a buffer against the myriad fears that plague humanity—fears stemming from financial insecurity, health concerns, and societal pressures. By placing God at the center of one’s fears, individuals can cultivate a sense of peace that transcends worldly anxieties. The discourse transitions to the pernicious nature of pride, which the speaker identifies as an impediment to both personal and spiritual prosperity. Drawing on Proverbs 3:5-7, the message critiques the self-reliance that pride fosters, suggesting that a posture of humility invites divine blessing. The speaker underscores that pride leads to a distortion of values, compelling individuals to pursue superficial gains at the expense of genuine wealth and fulfillment. This warning serves as a clarion call to reject arrogance, which can lead to an impoverished destiny. Finally, the message culminates in the exhortation to seek first the Kingdom of God, echoing the words of Jesus in Matthew 6:33. The speaker elucidates that when God is prioritized, all other aspects of life—financial management, professional endeavors, and interpersonal relationships—achieve their rightful order. This divine alignment not only guards against the chaos of life but also enriches one’s experiences with purpose and significance. Concluding with reflective questions, the message invites listeners to evaluate their priorities and fears, encouraging a transformative engagement with the principles of wisdom found in Scripture.

Takeaways:

• The foundational principle of wisdom begins with a profound reverence for the Lord, as articulated in Proverbs 9:10.
• To genuinely align ourselves with wisdom, we must prioritize fear of the Lord above all other fears that may govern our lives.
• Pride is a significant barrier to achieving prosperity, as it blinds us to needed corrections and perpetuates harmful cycles.
• Biblical prosperity is contingent upon seeking God's kingdom first, ensuring that all aspects of life fall into their rightful order.

Foreign.

Welcome to the Book of Proverbs, God's masterclass in discipline, wisdom and prosperity.

This is not a cute quote for your status updates.

This is scripture with a blade.

Proverbs will confront your laziness, your mouth, your habits, your friendships and your integrity.

Because God doesn't just want to bless you, he wants to build you.

And when God builds you, your life starts producing peace, favor, stability and increase.

So if you're tired of praying big but living sloppy, you're in the right place.

Let's get wisdom and let's let prosperity follow purpose.

As we start our new series of messages.

The Book of Proverbs.

Proverbs 9:10 tells us that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

Proverbs 9:10.

In our first message today, we will cover the foundation.

Fear of the Lord or fear of life.

Now, as we start in this message, the fear of the Lord, we need to understand that if we get this wrong, brothers and sisters, you can read all the wisdom quotes and still live like a fool.

You need to fear the Lord and I'll say it with love for myself and others.

Some believers want prosperity, but they don't want principle.

They want increase, but they reject instruction.

If you don't fear God, you'll fear everything else.

If you don't fear God, you'll fear everything else.

You ever hear someone say, I don't fear anyone?

Then a bank notification hits insufficient funds.

Suddenly they fear the month end or a call comes from the doctor, we need to run more tests.

Suddenly they fear the future.

Or a message comes from the boss, we need to talk now.

They fear Monday.

So let us be brutally honest.

Every human fears something.

The question is not whether you fear.

The question is what sits on the throne of your fear.

Proverbs says, put God first.

Not because God is insecure, but because God is holy and holiness is protection.

The first point of the message is we need to fear that the fear of the Lord is alignment, not panic.

Proverbs 9:10 says, the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.

That means wisdom doesn't start with strategies.

Wisdom starts with reverence.

The fear of the Lord is not you shaking like God is a bully.

No, no, no, it's you living like God is real.

It's alignment.

It's saying, God, you're the standard, you're the boss, you're the judge, you're the reward.

Proverbs 1:7 says, the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.

But fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Catch that.

Fools don't only despise wisdom, they despise instruction.

Meaning they hate being told.

No, they hate correction.

They hate boundaries.

Are you teachable or are you just spiritual?

Because some people pray loud and live loose.

But Proverbs says, reverence first.

A heart that fears God won't need to fear people.

Y' all don't hear me?

A heart that fears God won't need to fear people.

Our second point from the message is Pride is the enemy of prosperity.

Now hear this.

Pride is expensive.

Pride makes you ignore advice.

Pride makes you repeat cycles.

Pride makes you call Correction, hate.

Proverbs 3, 5, 7 says, Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not be wise in your own eyes.

Fear the Lord and shun evil.

Do not be wise in your own eyes.

That's pride.

Pride says, I know.

Wisdom says, teach me.

And let me tell you something about God.

God can bless a humble person fast because humility won't mismanage the blessing.

But pride turns prosperity into poison.

Because pride makes you spend to impress, borrow, to look rich and compete with other people you don't even like.

Pride doesn't just block blessing.

Pride bankrupts destiny.

Our third point from the message is seek first the kingdom.

Because prosperity has order.

Here's the key to biblical prosperity.

Order, order, order.

God's order is him first.

Jesus said in Matthew 6:33, Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Notice it doesn't say, seek money first and hope God joins later.

No, no, no.

It says, seek God first and everything else finds its proper place.

When God is first, your money gets managed, not worshiped.

Your work becomes worship, not slavery.

Your relationships become purposeful, not poisonous.

Your decisions become clean, not compromised.

All because God is first.

And this is where the warning comes in.

Prosperity without the fear of God produces arrogance, lust, greed and destruction.

But prosperity with fear of God produces peace, stability, generosity and legacy.

God doesn't bless disorder, he blesses alignment.

Here are some applicable questions for us today.

So how do we apply this?

Here's the answer.

1.

Audit your fear.

What do you fear most?

God or man?

God or bills?

God or opinions?

2.

Invite correction.

Stop fighting people who are trying to save you from yourself.

3.

Put God first in money.

Honor him.

Plan, budget, give and live with wisdom.

4.

Put God first in decisions.

Ask, will this honor God when nobody sees?

Because wisdom is not what you know.

Wisdom is what you obey.

Wisdom is not what you know.

Wisdom is what you obey.

Let us Be bold, brothers and sisters.

If you fear losing money more than you fear of grieving God, money is already your master.

And Jesus said, you cannot serve both God and money.

But here's the good news.

God is not condemning you, he is calling you higher.

He's saying, come back to reverence and I'll rebuild your life with wisdom.

Here are some questions for reflection.

One, what do I truly fear and how does it control my decisions?

2.

Where have I resisted correction and called it my personality?

3.

If God was truly first, what habit, relationship or spending will change this week?

Let us pray.

Father, in the name of Jesus, put the fear of the Lord in us.

Not terror, but reverence that cleanses us.

Forgive us for living casually with holy things.

Forgive us for pride, for stubbornness, for ignoring destruction.

Lord, make us teachable, make us wise, make us disciplined and lead us to biblical prosperity.

Increase that does not corrupt us, wealth that does not harden us, and success that honours you.

We choose your kingdom first.

We choose your righteousness first.

And we trust you to add what we need in your way and your time in Jesus mighty name.

Amen.

Now that's message one, Brothers and sisters.

Fear of the Lord or fear of life?

And in the next message, we will tackle diligence.

The anointing that looks like hard work.