Wisdom

Knowledge is something that you can pursue and attain, wisdom is not something that you have after a pursuit, or study. It is something that you acquire as you travel through life. Older folks are supposed to have it, but I don't think that this is always the case. It appears to me that if you have not ventured out in life and taken risks then you probably have missed the experiences of failure and success that teaches wisdom. Jesus taught about taking risks, when he told the parable about the servant that buried his masters property instead of investing it.. Wisdom would pertain to values and priorities as you live your life. I suppose wisdom might be the sum of the other virtues as they add up in your life, it seems to me that humbleness travels with wisdom. You can never be done growing in wisdom. As I turn to write on the virtue of wisdom I find it very elusive. It is almost like the harder I try to put my finger on what is true wisdom, the more it evades my grasp. In the book of James we are told that all we have to do is ask for wisdom and it shall be given. ..


Jas 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.


This statement in the book of James might be taken with a word of caution as some say "Be careful what you pray for!" This gift of Wisdom may be encapsuled in a life changing experience.
One of my Sunday School memories is how King Solomon could have had any gift from God and instead of asking for riches he asked for wisdom..
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1Ki 3:9 Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people
1Ki 3:12 Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee.
1Ki 3:13 And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days


So maybe I am making my quest to find wisdom too complicated, maybe seeking the kingdom of God will bring me to wisdom. I don't mean to the extent of King Solomon, I mean just enough to stay out of trouble.


In the book of Psalms it is pretty clear that to have a hallowed awe inspired respect for God is the beginning of wisdom.


Ps 111:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.

Evidently empathy and understanding must go along with humbleness in having a common tie to wisdom.
I believe that Solomon was coming to a point of understanding as he wrote the last few words of the book of Ecclesiastes.


Ec 12:13 ¶ Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.