Title:- Applying Wisdom’s Fifth Wheel
Proverbs 4:7 Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore get wisdom.
It was apparently Sid Caesar, that icon of early American television comedy, who with much insight, declared that “The man who invented the first wheel was an idiot but the man who invented the other three, he was the genius!” It’s a good joke and is indeed, a ‘starting handle’ on wisdom.Will Durant says that “Ideally, wisdom is total perspective -- seeing an object, event, or idea in all its pertinent relationships.” Durant continues “Spinoza defined wisdom as ‘seeing things 'sub specie eternitatis,’ or ‘in view of eternity.’ I suggest,” he says “defining wisdom as, “seeing things sub ‘specie totius,’ or in view of the whole!” Thank you Mr Durant!
However, despite that fine use of Latin, that’s exactly what Sid Caesar said, only he said it in a way most of us can understand. Oh and by the way, I’ve often observed that sad comics and unhappy humorists seem to express truth much more succinctly, than any dead philosopher ever could!
The wisdom of this world says “Money is the principle thing and with all you’re getting get more and then with it, achieve power.” Think about that. Think about how much this kind of worldly wisdom permeates and possesses the whole of Western Society and especially the church! I personally know, Oh God help me, that it is the largest lie that I have battled with all my life and friends, I continue to battle with it because the lie seems so true, doesn’t it? Getting money does seem to be the principle thing in this world and the main goal of our existence for I mean, without money you can’t do anything! Not even the church can do anything without money. So, our Pastors most gingerly tell us, let’s get it prayerfully and carefully, humbly and openhandedly, but let’s get money and lots of it! And so, in all our fund raising and in all sewing of financial seeds, we say quite simply and so loudly that ‘Money is the principle thing, therefore get money!’
Again, Will Durant, the gentle philosopher, says of humanity and of himself, …. “We are all fragments of darkness groping for the sun. I know no more about the ‘ultimates’ than the simplest urchin in the streets.” That’s seemingly very profound and humble, but God’s response to this philosophical ignorance of little man before His vast and eternal ultimates is simple! He says: “No! Wisdom IS the principle thing. SO GET IT!” In other words God says; “Stop the philosophical nonsense about not knowing and not understanding because honest, I tell you, both wisdom and understanding can be got! So GET IT!” It seems in God’s sight that none of us need be urchins in these possessions! “Money is not the principle thing” says God, “Wisdom is and you can get it!”
In the Scriptures, this wisdom which can be acquired, is done so always from a position of humility and awe. In other words, we acknowledge that we are the created and are accountable to receive from a benevolent and Fatherly Creator, God the Lord, God the ‘revelator’ if you will, even God the redeemer extraordinaire! This is the beginning of wisdom: humbly knowing both our position and His greatness, especially His great goodness. He is the Master and the Master of our fate.
The reverence of God may be the beginning of wisdom, yes it is, yet as I write this, even now I know I am conscious of my old man, still not dead, raising up it’s foolish fist and spouting ‘Invictus’, crying that 'I am the master of my own fate' as it marches me towards the empty halls of hell. Take note of this fist friends, for whenever we reject the gentle and constant entreaties of wisdom, whenever we refuse humility, whenever we refuse to bend the knee, we ‘Invite Invictus’ to speak its powerful foolishness once more. My being master of my fate always says that “Money is the principle thing therefore get money!” Stupid or what? No, there is no wisdom in a raised fist, never was and never will be. Cain found that out when he killed his brother. So, let’s be humble and let’s get wisdom.
In conclusion then, may I please add an extra little thought? If wisdom is better than gold, then surely understanding is better than silver. In other words, may I add to Sid Caesar’s wise comments and say “The man who invented the first wheel was an idiot and the man who invented the other three, may have been a genius but the man who put the fifth wheel in front of the driver’s seat, now there’s a man who applies wisdom and understanding, lacks nothing and can go anywhere!” Do you see what I mean? Wisdom and understanding without application is shining folly. So friends, today may I leave you with some words from possibly the wisest woman that has ever lived…
Listen:- On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Now both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding. And when they ran out of wine, the mother of Jesus said to Him, “They have no wine.” Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does your concern have to do with Me? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Whatever He says to you, do it.” John 2:1-5
Pray:- Lord, I am sorry for my arrogance in not getting what can be got. Lead me to the beginning of wisdom and guide me in understanding and bless me in application, In Jesus name I pray, Amen.
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