| AUGUST 1, 2024 -- Wisdom calls from the highest places in the town,
“You that are simple, turn in here!”
To those without sense she says, “Come, eat of my bread and drink
of the wine I have mixed.
Lay aside immaturity, and live, and walk in the way of insight.” Proverbs 9
Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. James 3:13
One should not confuse knowledge with wisdom. The difference was succinctly pointed out by Miles Klington, who once said: “Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is knowing not to put it in a fruit salad.” In the long run, one should first seek wisdom, and then let your wisdom aid you in seeking useful knowledge. But look for Godly wisdom, not human wisdom.
Remember also that, as St. Paul says: “The wisdom of this world is foolishness to God, for it is written: ‘He catches the wise in their craftiness’. “ And, in another place he says “God’s wisdom is foolishness to man.” How is this so? God tells us to do things that we would never do on our own, using worldly wisdom. For example: “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you.”
In the Letter of James, after telling us to show our wisdom in good works and meekness, he goes on to distinguish between worldly wisdom and Godly wisdom, telling us that “[Worldly] wisdom does not come down from heaven; it belongs to the world, it is unspiritual and demonic. Where there is jealousy and selfishness, there is also disorder and every kind of evil.“ In contrast, Godly wisdom, or the wisdom from above “ is pure first of all; it is also peaceful, gentle, and friendly; it is full of compassion and produces a harvest of good deeds; it is free from prejudice and hypocrisy. And goodness is the harvest that is produced from the seeds the peacemakers’ plant in peace.”
This should remind us, as Grangers, of the Grange President’s closing charge where we are told: “Let us be quiet, peaceful citizens, feeding the hungry, helping the fatherless and the widow, and keeping ourselves unspotted from the world.” This is the kind of Godly wisdom James was talking about.
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