I have always been taken by the scriptures which constitute Solomon’s request to the Almighty after he became King of Israel at such a young age. As I look about our church and community, wisdom is something which seems to be lacking, especially, among the young of this world.
According to Buddhist folklore, two traveling monk reached a river where they met a young woman. Wary of the current, she asked if they could carry her across. One of the monks hesitated, but the other quickly picked her up onto his shoulder, transported her across the water, and put her down on the bank. She thanked him and departed. As the monks continued on their way, the hesitant one said to the other, “Brother, our spiritual training teaches us to avoid any contact with women, but you picked that one up on your shoulder and carried her!” The other responded, “Brother, I set her down on the other side. But you are still carrying her.”
I believe the insight of the second monk raises an interesting question for followers of Christ. When the opportunity arises that we can help someone, someone who might not be connected to our faith, do we weaken the distinctiveness of our own faith? Does wisdom tell us to only deal with other saved folk? I believe the Bible commands us build bridges to those outside our faith, without compromising the distinctiveness of Christ in the process. In other words, we have a moral obligation to assist others, regardless, of race, religion or national origin. We are in the world but not of the world.
It is through wisdom that we should navigate our lives daily. Without wisdom we can be easily tricked by those who only want to take the advantage. This is the real test is today. Many individuals, especially young people, do not have the wisdom to see when others are taking advantage of their good morals and spiritual training which says, “We’re to be nice and be helpful” because that is what Jesus did. This niceness often results in unwed mothers; this niceness has caused some to get in trouble financially; this niceness has resulted in the destruction of entire families because of the cons who prey upon our “religious faith.”
Wisdom tells us to stop and simply think. Wisdom lets us know to every cause there is an effect. Wisdom allows is to know you can’t get something for nothing without paying a price, even if the price comes later. Wisdom allows us to look for the end results and not the excitement of the moment. Wisdom allows us to understand it takes time and hard work to acquire wealth, and a quick track to wealth is deadly. Wisdom allows one to know that all who grin in your face do not necessarily have your best interest at heart.
When I first came to Indianapolis, I was told that I needed to become “STREET WISE” because I was no longer in a country town. I was told that hustlers make their living hustling the church, church folk or anyone else that will give them an ear or audience. Well, I didn’t have to come here to acquire that knowledge. The only difference here is the scale is larger. So, like Solomon, “I asked the Lord for wisdom that I would be able to discern the things of God and the things of man.” And what I’ve learned is it takes wisdom to operate not only outside the church, but in the church as well. The church also has its share of cons, crooks, and those who use the church for selfish gains.
The Bible shows how to recognize (1) natural, (2) religious, and (3) moral insights in the world around us. More important, the Bible shows how these three kinds of wisdom can help us to see our need for (4) the redemptive wisdom of the cross.
Let’s stop being naïve and embrace wisdom. Let’s stop being players or being played. Wisdom will help us deal with others without diminishing our religious convictions. It will allow us to help others across the difficult streams of life without compromising. It will even help us lead others to a better life in Jesus Christ.
According to Buddhist folklore, two traveling monk reached a river where they met a young woman. Wary of the current, she asked if they could carry her across. One of the monks hesitated, but the other quickly picked her up onto his shoulder, transported her across the water, and put her down on the bank. She thanked him and departed. As the monks continued on their way, the hesitant one said to the other, “Brother, our spiritual training teaches us to avoid any contact with women, but you picked that one up on your shoulder and carried her!” The other responded, “Brother, I set her down on the other side. But you are still carrying her.”
I believe the insight of the second monk raises an interesting question for followers of Christ. When the opportunity arises that we can help someone, someone who might not be connected to our faith, do we weaken the distinctiveness of our own faith? Does wisdom tell us to only deal with other saved folk? I believe the Bible commands us build bridges to those outside our faith, without compromising the distinctiveness of Christ in the process. In other words, we have a moral obligation to assist others, regardless, of race, religion or national origin. We are in the world but not of the world.
It is through wisdom that we should navigate our lives daily. Without wisdom we can be easily tricked by those who only want to take the advantage. This is the real test is today. Many individuals, especially young people, do not have the wisdom to see when others are taking advantage of their good morals and spiritual training which says, “We’re to be nice and be helpful” because that is what Jesus did. This niceness often results in unwed mothers; this niceness has caused some to get in trouble financially; this niceness has resulted in the destruction of entire families because of the cons who prey upon our “religious faith.”
Wisdom tells us to stop and simply think. Wisdom lets us know to every cause there is an effect. Wisdom allows is to know you can’t get something for nothing without paying a price, even if the price comes later. Wisdom allows us to look for the end results and not the excitement of the moment. Wisdom allows us to understand it takes time and hard work to acquire wealth, and a quick track to wealth is deadly. Wisdom allows one to know that all who grin in your face do not necessarily have your best interest at heart.
When I first came to Indianapolis, I was told that I needed to become “STREET WISE” because I was no longer in a country town. I was told that hustlers make their living hustling the church, church folk or anyone else that will give them an ear or audience. Well, I didn’t have to come here to acquire that knowledge. The only difference here is the scale is larger. So, like Solomon, “I asked the Lord for wisdom that I would be able to discern the things of God and the things of man.” And what I’ve learned is it takes wisdom to operate not only outside the church, but in the church as well. The church also has its share of cons, crooks, and those who use the church for selfish gains.
The Bible shows how to recognize (1) natural, (2) religious, and (3) moral insights in the world around us. More important, the Bible shows how these three kinds of wisdom can help us to see our need for (4) the redemptive wisdom of the cross.
Let’s stop being naïve and embrace wisdom. Let’s stop being players or being played. Wisdom will help us deal with others without diminishing our religious convictions. It will allow us to help others across the difficult streams of life without compromising. It will even help us lead others to a better life in Jesus Christ.
