Look around you: Abundance is everywhere, but where is wisdom? Money isn’t solving any problems. In most cases, our focus on money only makes things worse. People clamor for cash, but have little or no concern or interest in the wisdom of God, or godly principles that can bless our society.
America buys self-help books by the millions that promise answers for a better, more successful “you” – how to love yourself more, control your destiny, make more money, look and feel better, live better!
Most are filled with the wisdom of men, and 1 Corinthians 3:19 tells us,
“… the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God.”
We need the wisdom of God in our lives. I’m not talking about just knowing the Bible backward and forward. Some of the most educated theologians can quote the Bible chapter and verse and recite the Greek and Hebrew meanings of words. Yet they still lack the wisdom of God.
True wisdom is gaining God’s perspective through His Word and then applying that truth to life.
Until you can walk the talk, you have not gained wisdom.
Life is not a straight path from birth to death. There are twists and turns, detours and mazes, mountains and valleys. But, as believers, we have the blessing of divine help in making the right choices in life. We have the guidance of “the wisdom of God” if we will seek it.
Proverbs 8:11 says, “. . . wisdom is better than rubies, And all the things one may desire cannot be compared with her.” According to Scripture, wisdom is more valuable than money, diamonds, career success or fame!
Tragically, what many call “the good life” often pulls an individual away from God and the right choices.
When we think we have it all together, God’s wisdom does not seem to be very valuable to us. Riches will not drive us deeper into God. Success doesn’t automatically prompt you to worship God. But when wisdom is applied to wealth, success and relationships, we can keep focused on Christ so that all of the good things in your life can bring Him glory.
We ALL need God’s wisdom to fulfill the callings placed on our lives.
Take parenthood for example. No mother or father has enough self-attained knowledge to raise children in the way they should go. All parents need God’s help!
Success in the business world – God-honoring, integrity-based success, that is – can’t be accomplished without the practical, divine understanding that comes from godly wisdom.
In everything life throws at us – marriage, careers, community life, children, ministry – we need God’s unsearchable, deeply rich wisdom!
Job asked what we ALL need to ask, “But where can wisdom be found? God understands its way, And He knows its place.” (Job 28:12, 23)
God holds wisdom in His hand and He has promised to give it to those who love Him: “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him” (James 1:5).
Wisdom for life – divine insight into how to make right choices – is within the reach of every believer. Just ask!
The wisdom you need to navigate your way through life is just a prayer away. Sadly, our prayers often sound more like a Christmas wish list – give me, give me, give me – than a plea for God’s wisdom.
There are some Christians who treat prayer like it’s a “name it and claim it” list for their wants. But that really misses the mark when it comes to praying God’s will. God is not our bellhop to call upon whenever we want something.
We are HIS sheep grazing in HIS pasture. HE knows what is best for us and HE will provide and bless as HE sees fit.
That is why before we ask for that house, car, job, or healing, we should first ask Him for wisdom. When we seek Him and His wisdom first, He will make sure that everything else we need is taken care of (Matthew 6:33).
The perfect example of asking God for wisdom comes from King Solomon. God came to Solomon and offered to give him whatever he asked for. It was a wide open opportunity for Solomon, but he made just one request! He simply asked God for “…an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil” (1 Kings 3:10).
Solomon knew his calling as king was way over his head. “For who is able to judge this great people . . . ?” he asked in verse 10. Instead of putting himself first, Solomon asked for the wisdom he knew he would need to carry out God’s calling on his life.
Look at God’s response . . .
“Because you have not asked long life for yourself, nor have asked riches for yourself, nor have asked the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern justice, behold, I have done according to your words;
see, I have given you a wise and understanding heart . . . And I have also given you what you have not asked: both riches and honor, so that there shall not be anyone like you among the kings all of your days” (1 Kings 3:11-13).
Not only did God keep His promise to grant wisdom, He also blessed Solomon with riches and honor.
When we seek God’s wisdom and calling before our own happiness, He not only gives us what we need, He gives us things we don’t even ask for!
When we always ask for what we think we need, we actually limit God’s blessings to our imagination. God actually desires to give us so much more than what we could even dream up!