The Hustle Gospel: Lies of Work and Worthనమూనా

YOU ARE WHAT YOU KNOW: THE LIE OF EXPERTISE

There is no doubt that we are living in an age of knowledge acceleration. Some experts even believe knowledge may be doubling as quickly as every 12 hours. How can we keep up with such an impossible rate? How can we, as Jesus followers, discern the difference between worldly knowledge and true wisdom? While knowledge is vital as we function in today’s world, Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 8:1 (NIV) that “knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.” It’s crucial for us to seek God’s wisdom as we navigate this knowledge explosion, so we focus our increasing knowledge on ways to show love that builds up individuals and our society.

Consider these examples of using knowledge without love:

• Uses expertise to win arguments rather than serve people
• Highlights others' ignorance to establish superiority
• Hoards insights to maintain competitive advantage
• Feels threatened when others know something we don't
• Measures success by how impressed people are with our knowledge

Now consider using knowledge with love:

• Uses expertise to solve problems and meet needs
• Shares knowledge freely to elevate others
• Asks "How can what I know help you?" instead of "How can I prove what I know?"
• Celebrates when others surpass our understanding
• Measures success by how much we've helped others grow

This isn’t about anti-intellectualism. The world needs MORE SMART CHRISTIANS! Paul doesn't discourage learning or expertise; he reframes them. In Christ, we're free to pursue knowledge without the crushing weight of building our identity on what we know. We can be competent without being competitive, skilled without being superior, knowledgeable without being prideful.

Jeremiah 9:23-24 reminds us that understanding God’s character and knowing Him is the true benchmark of knowledge that pleases God. Even our biblical knowledge can keep us from really knowing Him. J.I. Packer said,

“A little knowledge OF God is worth more than a great deal of knowledge ABOUT Him.”

In a time when those around us place more emphasis on acquiring knowledge, God reminds us He values us for who we are and not for what we know. Make peace with the fact that you can never know all there is to know about even a narrow subject and decide instead to go “all in” to personally know God.

Ask Yourself:

- In what ways have I felt devalued because of a lack of knowledge? How can I focus on the truth of God’s value for me?

- What does it look like for me to use knowledge with love in the spaces where I live, work, learn, and play?

- How can I know more OF God instead of just ABOUT God?

Pause to Pray: Allow Jeremiah 9:23-24 to lead you into prayer. Father, I know You are the source of all knowledge and wisdom. Help me learn and grow… Help me use knowledge with love... Help me to know You...

Identity Reset: Replace "I am what I know" with "I am known by God." Write down one area where you've been building your identity on your expertise or knowledge. Complete this sentence:

"Even if I never learned another thing about ________________, I am still fully known and loved by God because... ________________.”