In the '80s, futurist John Nasbitt wrote, "We are drowning in information but starved for knowledge." For years I thought this was a very insightful comment. With information literally at our fingertips, we think it's easy to have more and do more. Even as we overpack our schedules, our desire for more "stuff" is ever-growing.

I have realized, however, that it isn't knowledge we need to live successfully - it is wisdom. Stephen Covey, a popular author who encourages us to live fulfilled lives, believes that wisdom is living by principles rather than accepting a culture of quick fixes. So where do you find true wisdom?

In the Bible is a book called Proverbs, written some 3,000 years ago by King Solomon, one of the world's greatest rulers. As a young leader, Solomon asked God to grant him wisdom and then faithfully recorded what wisdom taught him. Here are five timeless principles from Proverbs that can enrich our lives:

VALUE WISDOM - King Solomon writes that wisdom is to be valued and pursued. "Wisdom is more precious than rubies. Nothing you could want is equal to it." (Prov. 8:11). This seems counter-intuitive in our society, which values "stuff" as the measure of success. The Bible says if you look for wisdom and ask for God's assistance, He will help you find it. We all need a rudder to help guide us through life. Wisdom is that rudder and God wants to help us find it.

VALUE PEACE - All of our time-saving devices only seem to have made our lives busier. Since everything takes less time, we try to pack in more activities and achievements. But wisdom tells us to acknowledge that we can't do it all. "An intelligent person aims at wise actions, but a fool starts off in many directions (Prov. 17:24)." Peace comes when we choose wisely. A good way to approach your calendar is to ask God to help you answer this question, "What are the wisest things I need to do?" Some things may need to go. With wisdom as your filter, you have permission to cross them off your to do list. VALUE WORK - Imagination is a gift from God. Used wisely, it can help solve problems. But when imagination is not deeply connected to the value of work, it becomes a fantasy. "A hard worker has plenty of food, but a person who chases fantasies has no sense." (Prov. 12:11) Dreaming about what could be, but not working to make a difference, doesn't make sense. Your abilities, talents, and passions are God's gift to you. How you develop those gifts and use your life to bless others is your gift to the world.

VALUE RELATIONSHIPS - King Solomon reminds us that our most important relationships are with those we love. "A bowl of soup with someone you love is better than steak with someone you hate." (Prov. 15:17) Let me translate: a Big Mac with someone you love is better than a steak at The Capitol Grill with someone you hate. Or, an apartment in Pawtucket with someone you love is better than a two-story Colonial in Rehoboth with someone you hate. Spend time with the people you love and who love you - that's wisdom.

VALUE PATIENCE - Living in a world of real-time world news and "you can have it now" thinking tempts us to believe that patience is a relic of the past. Wisdom reminds us that taking time to understand what is before us adds composure to our life. "People with understanding control their anger; a hot temper shows great foolishness." (Prov. 14:29) Living every day with a short fuse simply confirms what others already suspected!

King Solomon, early in his reign, asked God for wisdom and received the practical wisdom we find in Proverbs. In the New Testament James writes that, "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all. (1:5)"

In a society that is drowning in information, we still need divine wisdom in order to rise above the tide. Whatever challenge or opportunity is before you today, God is still willing to give you wisdom, if you ask for it.

Dennis Baril is the senior pastor of Community Covenant Church in Rehoboth, a position he has held since 1989. Community Covenant Church is a non-denominational Christian Church where preaching is biblical, practical and applicable to everyday life. He was born in Pawtucket, and has lived in Southern New England for most of his life. Before his pastoral appointment, he was a national account manager for AT&T. He and wife, Donna, have two children and five grandchildren, and enjoy sailing and skiing.