Seeking Wisdom
5/18/2019
I would like to start with a bit of humor. Old guy dies and goes to heaven. He is met at the gate by Saint Peter. St. Peter says that he needs a 1000 points of good deeds to enter into heaven. So the old guy starts by saying that he was married to the same woman for 60 years and not once unfaithful.
St. Peter says, that is worth 10 points.
The old guys thinks, Wow! This is going to be tough. Well my wife and I raised 3 children who all became followers of Jesus Christ.
St. Peter says, that is worth 5 points.
St. Peter says, that is worth 10 points.
The old guys thinks, Wow! This is going to be tough. Well my wife and I raised 3 children who all became followers of Jesus Christ.
St. Peter says, that is worth 5 points.
So he adds that in his free time he volunteered at the local mission for the homeless.
St. Peter says, that is worth 3 points.
Now the old guy is thinking, at this rate I’ll be out here for ever to come up with a thousand points. Out of despair he says, by the grace of God I will only get into heaven.
St. Peter says, that is worth 3 points.
Now the old guy is thinking, at this rate I’ll be out here for ever to come up with a thousand points. Out of despair he says, by the grace of God I will only get into heaven.
St. Peter says, that is worth a thousand points. Enter.
Scripture for today is from -
Ecclesiastes 6: 3-10
3 If a man fathers a hundred children and lives many years, however many they be, but his soul is not satisfied with good things and he does not even have a proper burial, then I say, “Better the miscarriage than he, 4 for it comes in futility and goes into obscurity; and its name is covered in obscurity. 5 It never sees the sun and it never knows anything; it is better off than he. 6 Even if the other man lives a thousand years twice and does not [enjoy good things—do not all go to one place?”
7 All a man’s labor is for his mouth
And yet the [appetite is notsatisfied. 8
For what advantage does the wise man have over the fool? What advantage does the poor man have, knowing how to walk before the living?
What the eyes see is better than what the souldesires.
This too is futility and a striving after wind.
Not sure if I can accomplish a link to this scripture but I feel it is very important to understand what it is saying. If I were to sum it up in my own words, it would be, it doesn’t matter what you have for property, what you know, who you know, or what you see is desirable in your own eyes, you will always want more – man’s sinful nature is at work.
I was thinking about this after attending my grand daughters graduation from Hillsdale College. My wife and I are very proud of her because she lived up to her values and ethics. God is involved in her life and has given her a gift. She graduated Summa Cum Laude in an academic setting that will test the best.
After the graduation, there was a party at the house where our g-daughter lived with three other girls. All of them very bright with big futures in front of them. Many of their friends stopped by to congratulate and visiting with them, I knew I was in a different world that I have never experienced before. This was a cerebral world of very gifted young people. They do not look like other young people at other colleges; they dress nicely, no funny colored hair, no tattoos and no metal junk hanging out of their faces.
Then I was thinking about the girl who graduated with a double major, German and Philosophy. What on earth will that degree apply to in a career? Maybe the CIA? Then I thought, college is just getting a toolbox and adding the right tools in preparation for life. The thought then evolved to – these young people are book smart but life stupid and I was there once upon a time. Life is a process of never ending learning and making adjustments.
After the graduation, there was a party at the house where our g-daughter lived with three other girls. All of them very bright with big futures in front of them. Many of their friends stopped by to congratulate and visiting with them, I knew I was in a different world that I have never experienced before. This was a cerebral world of very gifted young people. They do not look like other young people at other colleges; they dress nicely, no funny colored hair, no tattoos and no metal junk hanging out of their faces.
Then I was thinking about the girl who graduated with a double major, German and Philosophy. What on earth will that degree apply to in a career? Maybe the CIA? Then I thought, college is just getting a toolbox and adding the right tools in preparation for life. The thought then evolved to – these young people are book smart but life stupid and I was there once upon a time. Life is a process of never ending learning and making adjustments.
What is it that I can share with grandchildren that will help them through life? I have acquired knowledge over the years, attained some sort of status or credentials but will my life be worthy enough for God?
From Ecclesiastes 9
Indeed, I took all this to heart and explained it all: the righteous, the wise, and their works are in God’s hands. People don’t know whether to expect love or hate. Everything lies ahead of them. 2 Everything is the same for everyone: there is one fate for the righteous and the wicked, for the good and the bad,[a] for the clean and the unclean, for the one who sacrifices and the one who does not sacrifice. As it is for the good, so it is for the sinner; as for the one who takes an oath, so for the one who fears an oath. 3 This is an evil in all that is done under the sun: there is one fate for everyone. In addition, the hearts of people are full of evil, and madness is in their hearts while they live—after that they go to the dead. 4 But there is hope for whoever is joined with all the living, since a live dog is better than a dead lion. 5 For the living know that they will die, but the dead don’t know anything. There is no longer a reward for them because the memory of them is forgotten. 6 Their love, their hate, and their envy have already disappeared, and there is no longer a portion for them in all that is done under the sun.
7 Go, eat your bread with pleasure, and drink your wine with a cheerful heart, for God has already accepted your works. 8 Let your clothes be white all the time, and never let oil be lacking on your head. 9 Enjoy life with the wife you love all the days of your fleeting life, which has been given to you under the sun, all your fleeting days. For that is your portion in life and in your struggle under the sun. 10 Whatever your hands find to do, do with all your strength, because there is no work, planning, knowledge, or wisdom in Sheol where you are going.
So, what the writer is telling us is that we all experience life’s ups and downs, the good and the bad but it is for God’s glory that we pursue doing good and that we enjoy what our Father has provided. God wants us to be happy and enjoy what He has provided.
Found this by John Piper on Wisdom
What Is the Importance of Getting Wisdom?
Let's begin by asking why is it so important? We have already seen that all men seek happiness, and that this is not bad but good. Now the reason that getting wisdom is important is that it is the practical knowledge by which we gain this true and lasting happiness. Proverbs 3:13 says, "Happy is the man who finds wisdom and the man who gets understanding." Proverbs 24:13–14says, "My son, eat honey, for it is good, and the drippings of the honeycomb are sweet to your taste. Know that wisdom is such to your soul; if you find it, there will be a future, and your hope will not be cut off."
In other words, by means of wisdom you can make your way into a hope-filled future. It is the key to lasting happiness. Proverbs 19:8 says, "He who gets wisdom loves himself." In other words, do yourself a favor: Get wisdom! Get wisdom! Proverbs 8:32–36 sums it all up beautifully. Here wisdom herself is speaking and she says, "And now, my sons, listen to me: happy are those who keep my ways . . . Happy is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting beside my doors. For he who finds me finds life and obtains favor from the Lord; but he who misses me injures himself; all who hate me love death." If we do not make it our aim to "get wisdom," we will suffer injury and finally death. Therefore, the command, "Get wisdom; get insight," is very important. As Proverbs 16:16 puts it, "To get wisdom is better than gold; to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver." It is a matter of life and death. The ultimate, eternal happiness that all people long for will only be found by those who first "get wisdom."
I say that ultimate and eternal happiness is what wisdom will bring, becauseI want to emphasize that not all happiness comes from true wisdom. Proverbs 15:21 says, "Folly is a joy to him who has no sense." Our thirst for happiness is insatiable in this world, and if we do not have the wisdom to seek it in God, then we will find whatever substitutes we can in the world.Terrorists may find it in shooting presidents and popes. Executives may find it in climbing the corporate ladder. Athletes in breaking world records. Scholars in publishing books. Gamblers may find it in Reno. Musicians in selling a million records. The sources where people seek happiness apart from God are countless: drink, drugs, sex, suntans, television, tubing, eating, talking, walking, etc., etc. But the happiness that these things bring is not true and lasting. It is not ultimate and eternal. It is not the joy for which we were made. And, therefore, it leaves us unsatisfied, frustrated, incomplete, knowing that there must be something more. But that ultimate and eternal happiness that we crave is only found by wisdom. Therefore it is supremely important that we "get wisdom."
Now Piper may be confusing you when he says, “It is not the joy for which we were made.” I believe he is saying that the joy he is describing comes greed and the pursuit of sinful pleasures which is different that the joy we live when doing good.
He goes on to say what is wisdom. “And Jesus said the same thing about his own words, "Everyone who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house upon a rock" (Matthew 7:24). A good definition of godly wisdom, therefore, would be: hearing and doing God's Word. God's Word is a divine prescription for how to be finally cured of all unhappiness. Wisdom is the practical knowledge of how to attain that happiness. Therefore, wisdom is hearing and doing the Word of God. But the only people who will do this are the people who are humbly relying on God for help and who fear to seek happiness anywhere but in him. Therefore, the fear of the Lord is the beginning and spring of all true wisdom.
For my grandchildren, I pray for happiness but most of all, to find wisdom in the one true living God and to accept the grace He offers to all. Wealth, wisdom and credentials will not get you into heaven, only God’s grace can do that and it is free.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, Thank you for your grace that saved a wretch like me. Thank you also for the family you have provided and I will leave them in your hands to find the wisdom they need to get them through their lives on this earth. And may they carry the gospel forward.
Let us remember that true wisdom is found in Your Word and not in men. There is but one book that has the answers and we are thankful to you for your provisions.
Grant us peace in this fallen world and do no let those who defile Your Word to detract us from what is true and good. Let us be ready when the time comes to stand up and defend the truth of Your Word.
In Jesus name we pray.
Let us remember that true wisdom is found in Your Word and not in men. There is but one book that has the answers and we are thankful to you for your provisions.
Grant us peace in this fallen world and do no let those who defile Your Word to detract us from what is true and good. Let us be ready when the time comes to stand up and defend the truth of Your Word.
In Jesus name we pray.
Amen
James 1:5-6 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. (NIV)
If we believe that God is who He says He is and will do what He has promised, why does our faith waver? We are prone to doubt because we fail to see God at work in our circumstances.
Trust God who sees past, present, and future and knows the right time for every answer. His invisible Hand is already at work on your behalf—arranging situations to accomplish His will and preparing you to receive what He wants to give.
