Read
Thirty Wise Sayings
17Here are some sayings
of people with wisdom,
so listen carefully
as I teach.
18You will be glad
that you know these sayings
and can recite them.
19I am teaching them today,
so that you
may trust the Lord.
20I have written thirty sayings
filled with sound advice.
21You can trust them completely
to give you the right words
for those in charge of you.
Reflect
Most of us have heard the old expression, “Garbage in, garbage out.” It is an expression that most of us know intuitively to be true, but we don’t always closely watch what we put into our minds. In this reading, the Teacher exhorts us to listen to the words of the wise and to apply our heart to instruction. But the reason isn’t merely for us to be smarter and wiser. We keep wisdom deep in our heart and close to our lips at the same time. What dwells inside us, will, or should eventually move outside to our speech and actions.
There is a difference between wisdom and knowledge. I can know lots of facts and still not act wisely. Wisdom leads me to trust God. It convinces my will that God’s ways are best and that if I follow them I will live a full, blessed life. Conversely, wisdom shows me that the ways of the world will lead to sorrow, strife and death. Accumulating knowledge and information may make me proud and actually hinder my faith in God. Wisdom always strengthens my trust in him. And then it helps me to act in ways that are consistent with that faith.
Yet wisdom isn’t to be hoarded. The Teacher challenges us to listen, know the truth and bring an accurate report. Wisdom is to be shared. It is to be lived out and gently shared to those on this journey of life. If I have the foresight to see that someone is acting in a self-destructive manner but do not warn him of the danger, then I am not helping overcome folly with wisdom and certainly not helping him! People need to hear and see wisdom! Whether I like it or not, people around me see what sort of things I believe deep in my heart. They see my actions and hear my words and they can see exactly what or who I trust in. So I think I will submit myself to the instruction of wisdom – spend more time under its tutelage – and perhaps others will see an increased faith in God in my life.
Respond
Oh Lord, may your Spirit lead me to spend time under the tutelage of wisdom. Fill my heart with faith in you. May your praise be close to my lips, may my actions attest to the goodness of my God. Glorify yourself in me, empower me to live wisely. Amen.
Bill Taylor
Bill Taylor has been the Executive Director of the Evangelical Free Church since 2008. He previously serviced as pastor of Saskatoon Evangelical Free Church followed by District Superintendent of the Alberta Parkland District. He is a member of the National Mission LeadershipTeam, the International Mission Leadership Team and the Ministerial Standing Committee. He represents the Free Church on various Boards and Committees in Canada, the USA and overseas. Bill and his wife, Deb, have two daughters and one son-in-law. Publications: “From Childhood to Adolescence” - the history of the Evangelical Free Church of Canada from 1984 to 2005.