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The Principal Thing

By Pastor Craig Hudgins
Proverbs 4:7 
“Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.”

Introduction

It’s that time of year again—students heading back to school, new routines starting, and fresh opportunities unfolding. But today’s message isn’t just for the kids—it’s for all of us.

Life is filled with decisions, distractions, and demands. Every day, we chase after things—money, success, security, relationships, recognition. But Scripture calls us to chase something far greater. Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived apart from Jesus, writes to his son with heartfelt urgency:

“Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.”

Today, I want to speak on:

“The Principal Thing”

—what should be first in our lives and what God says matters most.

1. Wisdom Is Supreme

“Wisdom is the principal thing”

  • The word principal means chief, first, most important—top of the list.

  • In Proverbs, wisdom is not just knowing facts—it’s godly, skillful living based on reverence for the Lord.

  • Solomon isn’t giving a casual suggestion—he’s giving life-saving direction.

Proverbs 1:7 – “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.”

Wisdom is the ability to navigate life from God’s point of view.
We pursue so many “good things” that we neglect the “principal thing.”

Illustration:
Imagine someone building a house with no foundation. The furniture might be beautiful, the fixtures fancy—but there’s no structure underneath. That’s a picture of a life built without wisdom.

Wisdom is supreme.

2. Wisdom Must Be Pursued

“Therefore get wisdom”

  • Since wisdom is the most important thing, we must go after it intentionally.

  • The word “get” in Hebrew can also mean “buy”—implying cost and effort.

  • It’s not cheap, and it’s not automatic. It must be sought after with diligence.

You won’t drift into wisdom by accident. You must pursue it with discipline.

James 1:5 – “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God… who gives to all men liberally and upbraideth not.”

God offers wisdom freely, but it must be desired more than gold, status, or comfort.

Ask yourself:

  • What are you chasing right now?

  • What are you investing in—financially, emotionally, spiritually?

  • Does wisdom make your priority list?

Wisdom must be pursued.

3. Understanding Must Be Added

“And with all thy getting get understanding”

With all your diligent effort—with all your buying of and buying into wisdom—make sure you get understanding.

  • Understanding is the ability to discern, to see beneath the surface.

  • It’s not enough to know right from wrong—you must know how to apply truth in real life.

Solomon says: “With everything you get—get understanding.”

Illustration:
It’s one thing to have a toolbox full of tools (wisdom)…
…but understanding tells you which tool to use—and when.

Cupcake Illustration – Wisdom vs. Understanding

  • Wisdom is knowing that a cupcake is food.

  • Understanding is knowing you probably shouldn’t eat ten of them at once.

Or maybe in another way:

A little child might say, “Cupcakes are yummy—I want them all!”
A wise person knows cupcakes are a treat.
But an understanding person says, “Too many cupcakes will make me sick. I’ll enjoy just one.”

Spiritually, we too must be wise. We need to get the wisdom of God—but also learn how and when to use that wisdom through understanding, discernment, and maturity.

Best Ways to Gain Understanding:

  • Time in God’s Word

  •  Listening to godly counsel

  • Learning from life’s lessons

  • Remaining teachable and humble

 Understanding must be added.

Conclusion

Solomon could have told his son to “get rich,” “get popular,” or “get ahead.” But instead, he said:

“Get wisdom.”
That’s the principal thing.

You may have many ambitions in life—but if you don’t have wisdom, you’ll misuse the blessings God gives.

Let me ask you today:

  • Are you living with God’s wisdom at the center of your life?

  • Are you seeking it with your heart, your time, your resources?

  • Do you value it more than anything else?

Invitation

If you lack wisdom, the Bible says to ask God, and He’ll give it freely.
But the greatest wisdom is to know Jesus Christ—the One…

“…in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” – Colossians 2:3

If you're here today and you don't know Christ—
you’re missing the Principal Person behind the Principal Thing.