WISDOM: WHAT IS IT AND HOW IS IT OBTAINED?

Guest Blogger, Dick Weidener (CEO of Legacy Ventures Network)

I began my semi-annual reading through the book of Proverbs today. God could not have made it any clearer that the key to living a Godly and fruitful life is to live wisely, but what is
Wisdom? Is it just knowledge, intellect and a good dash of common sense?
Before trying to define it, let’s first address its importance. Proverbs 8:22-24 says:
“The LORD brought me forth as the first of His works before His deeds of old;
I was appointed from eternity, from the beginning, before the world began.”
The first of all of God’s creations was wisdom. Before God created anything, He created wisdom. If anything affirms its importance, its being the first of God’s creations should.
One of the best definitions of wisdom I have come across is from Charles Swindoll in his book, “Living on the Ragged Edge.” His definition is, “Wisdom is the God-given ability to see life with rare objectivity and to handle life with rare stability.” Just ponder that for a few minutes and tie it in with Proverbs 1 and 2.
First and foremost, it is not something we can achieve on our own. It comes from God. Secondly, it is not just innate or genetic, it is God-authorized and dispensed. Thirdly, it doesn’t just happen, it must be diligently sought. Lastly, it needs to be employed by each of us. We have to put it to use. How do we do that?
We see life with “rare objectivity.” We take off our blinders, set aside our “me-centric” thinking and actions, and view our own world from God’s perspective.
We need to see the lostness of a world which rejects the Gospel; we need to empathize with their lostness, despair and poverty. We need to do it with an objectivity that avoids being overwhelmed by its vastness or overcome with its evil and pain. We have to see our contemporary world as God sees it and as He shares those insights through His Word.
As daunting as that task is, the other part can be more daunting. Having seen, what do we do about it? How do we live our lives and use our God-given gifts, talents and possessions with “rare stability” – a centeredness of direction and purpose that is Christ-centered, goal-directed, steady, planned and not affected by the winds or circumstances of our time? We should be like fruit trees that provide sustenance and shelter.

It is clear from the book of Proverbs that God’s wisdom is available to all who seek it. His Word is replete with examples of His bestowing it on those who seek, such as Solomon. If we look around, we can recognize those who possess the rare qualities of seeing and doing rightly.
Let’s pray and seek to join those all-too-few whom God enables:
• to transcend the grip this world has on us
• to live wisely for His glory, and
• to be an integral part in the fulfillment of the “Great Commission” and the “Great
Commandment.”
If you would like information on how you can become involved in missional business
opportunities, please contact me at: dweidner@legacyventuresnetwork.com