January
13, 2014
[Pastorgraphs now online at ChristSD.com]
Pastorgraphs: “Got Wisdom?”
“If any
of you lacks wisdom, ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and
it will be given to you.” (James 1:5)
King
Solomon has been recognized as the wisest man who ever lived. Theologians refer
to the three books of the Bible he wrote (Proverbs, Song of Solomon and Ecclesiastes)
as the Books of Wisdom. The famous story of how he dealt with the two mothers
who claimed the same baby is a classic example of how Solomon used his gift of
wisdom in practical, common sense ways.So how did Solomon get so smart (or more correctly, so wise?) There is a difference between being smart and being wise! And more importantly, how do you get wisdom?
Solomon,
the son of King David whom the Bible identified as “a man after God’s own
heart” (meaning David had perhaps the closest relationship to God of any
mortal), learned from his father’s faith. Solomon, too, had a close
relationship with God.
God made an
extraordinary offer to Solomon. God would grant Solomon whatever he wished. He
could have chosen fame, fortune, power, pleasure or anything else. But Solomon
asked for wisdom, the gift of discernment so that he would know how to lead and
govern the Children of Israel. "So God said to him, 'Since you have
asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for
the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, I will
do what you have asked...'" (1 Kings 3:11–12) The request pleased God
so much, he told Solomon he would get wisdom (discernment in administering
justice), plus many of the things he did not ask for.
So what is
wisdom? How do you get it?
Wisdom is
often confused with knowledge. But they are not the same. So I
offer,
Seven
Differences between Knowledge and Wisdom
1.
Wisdom
is a gift.
Knowledge is acquired. If you must work for something, it is not a gift, it is
wages. God still invites us to seek, ask and find wisdom, as Solomon did. Much
like salvation (which cannot be earned) wisdom is the free gift of God.
2.
Wisdom
springs from the spirit.
Knowledge springs from the mind. In my book on Integrity, I cited Dr. Deepak
Chopra’s fundamental distinction between knowledge and wisdom: that science
will never be able to attain wisdom, although science has and will continue to
accumulate vast amounts of knowledge. The reason being: there is a spiritual
dimension to wisdom that science excludes. If you cannot see it, measure it, or
test it, science says it does not exist.
3.
Wisdom
increases over time.
Knowledge diminishes with age. Medical doctors, lawyers, and other professions
must continually work to keep their knowledge current. While the body of
knowledge grows, our mind’s capacity to remember diminishes with age. Wisdom
increases so that the oldest in society are often seen as the wisest.
4.
Wisdom
matures with experience.
Knowledge matures with learning. A wise person will continue to make wise
decisions throughout life, while knowledge is a life-long, ever-growing
struggle to keep current. Wisdom helps keep emotions and passions in check.
5.
Wisdom
focuses on understanding.
Knowledge focuses on facts. Wisdom is making the practical and prudent
application of knowledge. Someone put it this way: Knowledge is knowing a
tomato is a fruit and not a vegetable. Wisdom is knowing you should NOT put a
tomato in a fruit salad!
6.
Wisdom
helps you make good choices and decisions. Knowledge helps in performing a skill or task. Or
expressed another way, knowledge is a tool; wisdom is understanding how to use the
tool. Wisdom helps focus on our long term goals, the future and consequences
for actions.
7.
Wisdom
is common sense. Knowledge
is education. Knowledge and education are good. But wisdom is better. One of my
favorite TV shows is “Big Bang Theory”. Dr. Sheldon Cooper is a good example of
the super-intellectual person (two Ph.D.’s) full of all kinds of knowledge I
will never understand, but lacking practical common sense. Often Penny, the
aspiring actress and waitress, demonstrates more “common sense” than Sheldon.
But please note, I love watching both play their roles.
If you hear
me saying knowledge is bad, I have not communicated well. I am at my core a
pastor-teacher (Ephesians 4:11), having taught at the middle school, high
school, college and graduate levels over 45 years. I am passionate about
learning more of God’s wonderful creation, whether it is science, math,
history, religion, or a dozen other subjects that are my favorites.
Again,
knowledge and wisdom are both good; high and lofty goals we should all seek in
life. But given the choice between wisdom and knowledge, wisdom is greater; it
is the ability to take facts and knowledge in deciding upon the proper, prudent
and wisest course of actions in the present for a blessed future.
Devotedly
yours, Bill Jenkins
From the
Quote Garden:
“Blessed is the one who finds
wisdom, and the one who gets understanding, for the gain from her is better
than gain from silver and her profit better than gold. She is more precious
than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her
right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are ways of
pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.”
~ Proverbs 3 ~
Christ United Methodist Ministry
Center
“Christ
in the Heart of San Diego”
3295
Meade Avenue - San Diego, CA 92116 - (619) 284-9205
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