What does Proverbs 8:10 mean?

Wisdom (Proverbs 8:1–4) offers a choice between her instruction and silver and choice gold. Which is better? Wealth does not guarantee happiness or benefit anyone beyond the grave. Even billionaires die and leave their wealth behind. Merely having money does not make a person wise enough to keep those riches. However, a person who is truly wise has a better opportunity for success and prosperity (Proverbs 8:18). Wisdom can offer benefits which money literally cannot buy (Proverbs 8:11).

Jesus' story about a rich man who died and went to the place of suffering illustrates this truth (Luke 16:19–31). Paul tells Timothy to warn those who long to be rich that "we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world" (1 Timothy 6:7). He adds, "But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction" (1 Timothy 6:9).

King David understood the truth that the value of God's Word far exceeds the value of silver and gold. He writes: "The rules of the LORD are true, and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold" (Psalm 19:9–10).