The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. For through wisdom your days will be many, and years will be added to your life.

We give many awards and credits on this earth for wisdom: some are wise in investments and others in business acumen, and some have the wisdom to see where the future will lead in a few years and be on the cutting edge. We hear of the successes of companies like Apple, Amazon, Crumbl Cookies, and In-n-Out Burger. Some big, some small, they offer something a cut above or distinctive and they are, for a time, successful. So why doesn’t the Bible point us to these industry leaders to glean wisdom from them?

We have sport’s athletes, politicians, music stars, movie stars, etc. who all seem to have achieved incredible success. They have fancy houses, attractive spouses, and endorsement contracts that pay them millions and millions. So why does the Bible not promote finding the answers to wisdom among these people?

The Apostle Paul knew about worldly wisdom. He was considered one of the top men in Israel by the standards of their leaders. Here are his credentials: “circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless.” (‭‭Philippians‬ ‭3‬:‭5‬-‭6) But after hearing Jesus’ voice and seeing the wisdom of his way of life, we find he says this: “But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.” (Philippians 3:7)

Why does he say this and disregard all of the status and accolades he has attained in this life? ‭‭I Corinthians‬ ‭3‬:‭18‬-‭23 gives us insight into his rationale here: “Do not deceive yourselves. If any of you think you are wise by the standards of this age, you should become “fools” so that you may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: ‘He catches the wise in their craftiness’; and again, ‘The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.’ So then, no more boasting about human leaders! All things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all are yours, and you are of Christ, and Christ is of God.”

‭‭What the world calls wise is foolishness in God’s eyes. Why? Because wisdom is defined by how much we fear God and listen to and obey what he says. Understanding, then, is knowing God’s Son, Jesus.
‬‬The are the questions I need to ask daily: “Am I honoring God with my life?” and “Am I actively seeking to know God at a heart-level with how I spend my time, talents, and treasures?

Lord, help me to seek and be satisfied with the wisdom you give. It will not be rewarded with mere earthly riches, power, or recognition. It will be rewarded by heavenly rewards that extend into eternity! Help me to prioritize and seek what pleases you. Then I will know you … and become wise.