Proverbs 8:20

Midst of the paths. Wisdom leads down the center of the road of life, avoiding all extremes. Man cannot stray to the right hand or the left without her voice saying, “This is the way” (Prov. 4:27; Isa. 30:21). When that voice is heeded, the treasure that awaits in heaven becomes more real and its inheritance more sure with every day’s march.

This passage is equally plain when applied to Christ. Christ has gone before us and marked out for us the path of righteousness and judgment. In the days before the cross He spoke through patriarchs and prophets (1 Peter 1:11). All the symbolism of the Mosaic ritual law pointed to the coming of the One who would cleanse the sinner from his sinfulness.

Even if there were no eternal life to gain, it would still be the part of wisdom to walk in the way of righteousness. Not all men have much substance in the way of worldly possessions, but all good men can possess real treasures of peace and contentment, which are, after all, the greatest gain (1 Tim. 6:6).