Wisdom

Daily Reading: Romans 16

Be wise as to what is good. (Romans 16.19)

Devotional Thought: When it comes to good and evil, things are not always cut and dried.  In Paul’s day, just as today, there were many “gray” areas for which there were not right and wrong answers, and the Christian not only needs to know what is good, she must also know what to do about it.  That is wisdom.

I once heard a speech by Dr. Tony Aretz, President of Mount St. Joseph College in Cincinnati, Ohio.  Aretz shared that while higher education gives much attention to acquiring knowledge and job skills, there is little mention of wisdom.  He asked a good question: “Where do we get wisdom?”

Dr. Aretz said that there are many sources that help us make wise decisions.  One was the Golden Rule – a principle taught in one form or another by most of the major world religions: “Treat others like you would want to be treated.”  Another source that helps us make wise decisions is the Judeo-Christian philosophy of our nation.  Specifically referring to the Ten Commandments, he said that we can use those as principles to shape our thinking to treat people right.  Another way to act wisely is to remember to treat people as ends in themselves and not as means to your ends.

Two thousand years ago, the Apostle Paul said that we are to be wise about what is good.  What is good?  Jesus said only God is good.  All other goodness derives from God.  If we want to act wisely, we must be good.  If we want to be good, we must imitate God.  The Bible says, “God is love.”  So, if we follow the logic: Wisdom comes from goodness.  Goodness comes from God.  God is love.  Therefore, to act wisely, we must always act in love.

Prayer: Help me, O Lord, to not only know what is good, but to be wise about what is good.  Help me to live out your goodness as I love my neighbor as myself.  In Jesus' name, amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 23.1-6

1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.

3 He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.