(1) True sons never forget the teachings of God and their father in faith. They obey their godly commands from the heart. (2) Such commands are really for their own good--for their safety, long life, and spiritual prosperity. (3) For instance, their godly commands stress love and faithfulness as eternal traits to have, worthy to be worn as life decors to please God. Not only that--it's important to carve them into your heart as permanently etched guides. (4) Then you get spiritual favor from God and men.

Here's the Priority

(5) Love and faithfulness really means 100 percent trust in God, entrusting nothing to your own perceptions and ideas--or men's way of looking at things. (6) In every detail of life and ministry always tell God first, and tell God last, and in between, leaving everything to him, and I mean everything, and he will show you clear directions and easy paths.

Here's the Second Most Important

(7) Here's how to really fear God--never trust your human judgment or insight, no matter how educated or smart or proven. (8) The reward here is not just spiritual--your very physical health and even bone nourishment depend on it! See that? Spiritual and physical rewards.

Third Most Important

(9) Then, remember to use your substance, money and all possessions, to honor God. (10) You'd see that your spiritual barns will be richly supplied, even your wine vats will be effervescent with new Kingdom wine!

Just Make Sure You Understand What God is Doing

(11) However, my son, enjoying true sonship in God also means meekly taking his discipline and rebuke, never detesting them. (12) You see, he does that to all he truly loves. That's his genuine fathering style. (13) And only those with true wisdom often gets this. Hence, blessed and happy is he or she who possesses God's mind and way of thinking--the one who has God's mindset.

God's Mind is the Only True Wealth--on Earth and in Heaven

(14) God's wisdom is the only thing truly profitable in this life and in the next. Earthly money is zero, nil, void, pfft! compared to it. It has better ROI than gold has. (15) The most precious stones in the world are second rate to it. In fact, whatever you desire, even good ones like your plans for your family, cannot compare with it. (16) Just look--in wisdom's right hand is long healthy life, and in her left spiritual riches and honor! What more can you ask? (!7) Only by using God's ways and wisdom can you please God; and that always results to his peace.

What True Sons Have in the Spirit

(18) Moreover, God's wisdom is a tree of life to every true son and daughter of God. Those who eat the fruit will be like Adam before the Fall--bearing God's own image and likeness and having dominion over all creation.Wisdom is power.

The Power of God's Wisdom

(19) Consider wisdom's awesome power: God's only tool to create the earth and all universe was his mind, his wisdom. (20) By his mind power the ocean deep, with all its geological and tectonic plates, were put in place and fixed; the atmospheric systems were also established. If you have God's wisdom, you have its power.

Spiritual Discernment and Good Judgment--Among Wisdom's Fruits

(21) True sonship results to good judgment and discernment. So always have them ready and powerful in you. Be mindful of them all the time. They are Life to you, spiritual decors that delight God. (23) Sharp discernment and judgment will keep you safe spiritually, preventing you from falling into the enemy's trap. (24) This is because having God's wisdom means relaxing and resting in God and having a sweet sleep (like what Jesus had in a boat during a fierce storm).

What Resting in God Means

(25) These are times when disasters suddenly strike. But have no fear of them--they're meant for the wicked--those without God's wisdom and are not in God's fathering care. Just be confident in God--he will keep your foot from being trapped.

What to Do with Blessings--Give them Away!

(27) Just make sure you give up all you have so you can give to the needy--especially to those who deserve it--more so if you have the means and authority. (28) Do not give for tomorrow what you are able to give today--God is generous and his true sons and daughters should do the same.

What Godliness Does Not Have

(29) Do nothing evil to people, especially those who have learned to trust you, (30) like accusing them of anything wrong when they are guiltless. (31) Never imitate a man of violence or act or behave like him. Do not even envy how he gets his way and seems to be a success. (32) God rejects such men but approves the upright. (33) Actually, the Lord curses whom he rejects and blesses whom he approves. Remember the Lord's discipline earlier?

(34) There's something more: God even makes fun of those who make fun of him and his faithful; but he doles out grace to those who meekly accepts everything in life.

(35) In the end, those with God's wisdom gets everything while those without God's wisdom gets only shame.