Scripture
Vs. 6 A scoffer seeks wisdom in vain,
but knowledge is easy for a man of understanding.
7 Leave the presence of a fool,
for there you do not meet words of knowledge.
Vs. 23 In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty.
Observation
Solomon is encouraging the wise person to discern the difference between the wise and the fool.
The wise person receives wisdom.
The wise person also stops listening to foolishness.
Ultimately, wise words must lead to action … “toil” … work to actually apply the wisdom.
Application
We live in The Information Age.
There is more “information” than ever, but is the information “wisdom” or “foolishness”?
I am someone who puts a premium on “right thinking”, but is it always leading to “right doing”?
I’m seeing this morning a sequence of Heart, Head, and Hand.
I need a humble heart to recognize I need wisdom from outside of myself. (don’t “scoff”)
I need a discerning head to determine who is a source of wisdom. (“leave the presence of a fool”)
I need active hands to apply what I learn and discern. (“In all toil there is profit”)
I always want to accumulate more wisdom.
I love to read and discuss matters with those I feel are wise.
But I’m afraid I neglect the end point …. actually applying whatever I’ve learned or wisdom I’ve heard.
Why? I suppose lots of reasons.
Plain old laziness? For sure.
Fear of failing in the application, the “toil”? Sure.
But what is that saying about me?
If I’m just a “gatherer” or cistern or reservoir of wisdom, then I’m actually a fool!
Because in “ALL” toil there is profit!
I need to apply as best I can, whenever I can.
Leave the results to God … but I imagine something profitable will result, even if it’s not what I anticipated.
What’s more, if I’m unwilling to live out and risk and “toil”, what’s the bigger statement about my faith?
Sitting on wisdom in my head is not faith.
I need to “work out what God works in”.
Prayer
God, thank you again for Your word today.
Forgive me when I don’t live out and work out the wisdom You share.
Help me know when to leave a fool.
Give me the courage work within to apply your wisdom.
In Jesus name,
Amen.