What does Proverbs 8:21 mean?

Wisdom, speaking metaphorically (Proverbs 8:1–4), promises to grant an inheritance full of treasures to those who love her. A wise person knows how to save and keep what he earns or reaps. He is not wasteful. This is one of the reasons why wisdom is associated with success and prosperity (Proverbs 8:17–19); though earthly success is never guaranteed, making wise choices more often leads to positive results.

There is also a sense in which believers have received a rich inheritance from Jesus Christ. The apostle Peter describes this inheritance as "imperishable, undefiled, and unfading" (1 Peter 1:4). He adds that it is guarded in heaven for us. Whatever wealth we accumulate or inherit on earth is subject to theft, loss, or deterioration. Further, security measures may fail to keep it, but in heaven our inheritance is stable and secure.

Jesus cautioned: "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal" (Matthew 6:19–20). Wisdom teaches a person to heed Jesus' counsel.