Restart: Compassion and JusticeSample

WISDOM The Bible depicts wisdom as something to be valued, cherished, and sought after. People are to search for it and collect it. Learning is life-long. But this is not some abstract knowledge. Wisdom is practical. The Greek word translated as “wisdom” basically means “skill.” It describes the skill of the craftsman in the tabernacle (Exodus 31:6) or the judicial abilities of kings (1 Kings 3:28). It is knowledge and learning and craft—the stuff that helps people live to their full potential—“life skills” as we might say today. Wisdom is also moral. It gives you the ability to make wise choices, to discern what is right. It helps you understand the meaning spot the patterns in the swirl of events around you. All these things show why human beings need to learn. It’s not just learning for learning’s sake; it’s helping people to live, giving them choices, and helping them to choose. To deny people an education is to starve them of wisdom. They cannot grow the skills they need; they cannot learn a trade or craft; they do not have the wisdom they need to find the way out. They really do have to learn the hard way. Why is wisdom valuable? What are the lessons you’ve learned that aided your growth in wisdom? How do you show that you value wisdom? How will you aid someone in his or her search for wisdom and knowledge? Pray for opportunities to share your wisdom and resources with others. For example, you might take a short-term missions trip and teach a class in a school. Pray: Lord, help me learn from past mistakes so I can be a teacher of the future.