WISDOM VERSUS FOOLISHNESS

Better is a poor and a WISE CHILD than an old and FOOLISH KING, who will no more be admonished – Ecclesiastes 4:13

We’ve known what Wisdom is. What is Foolishness? Foolishness is to assume that one can live entirely independent of God: “the fool has said in his heart, “There is no God”…” (Psa. 14:1a). Foolishness is for one to think that he can do what he wills and have what he wants according to his pleasure, power, money or influence, without any divine reference or restraint. Foolishness is modern man’s drive towards autonomy: the attitude that, even without God “everything is possible” with us. Self is at the centre of the fool’s universe! It is to live as though God were not; and to reject the invitation of wisdom. Beloved, ponder on the story of the rich fool and learn wisdom (Lk.12:16-21).

The great value of wisdom is relative to the great cost of foolishness. Without wisdom, one can have virtually everything needed and still starve to death: “The lips of the righteous feed many, but fools die for lack of wisdom” (Pro.10:21). Also, “Much food is in the fallow ground of the poor, and for lack of justice there is waste” (Pro.13:23). The fallow ground of the poor refers to the ground of the foolish that was tilled but not planted. It had potential for much food, yet, for want of wisdom, there was nothing to show for the available resources. Wisdom prevents wastage; foolishness is a ‘waster’ of potential.

The wise create wealth; but the foolish squander resources: “There is desirable treasure, and oil in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish man squanders it” (Pro.21:20). Moreover, “fools die for want of asking”! God shows so clearly and makes it so easy to acquire wisdom: “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind” (Jam.1:5-6). The first thing you need is the first thing you should ask for. If you value wisdom, you’ll make it your priority in prayer, far beyond requesting for riches and the never-ending list of all the things you think you need.

Age, riches, and royalty are neither guarantees of Wisdom nor factors of foolishness. The All-wise God is the Giver of Wisdom. Acknowledge Him in all your ways (Pro.3:6). Begin to ask Him to give you the principal thing that He says you need above all else. Ask for wisdom; not occasionally; not requesting one day and forgetting about it the next. Make the Prayer for Wisdom your constant prayer, not wavering, and let your life be transformed positively into a life of eternal Impact!