“Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do! And whatever else you do, develop good judgment.”

(Proverbs 3:7, NLT)

Bored during a long flight, a Harvard professor leaned over and woke the sleeping man next to him to ask if he would like to play a game. “I’ll ask you a question and if you don’t know the answer, you pay me $5. Then you ask me a question, and if I don’t know the answer, I’ll pay you $50.”

When the man agreed to play, the professor asked, “What’s the distance from the earth to the moon?” The man didn’t know so he handed over $5.

Then it was the man’s turn. He asked, “What goes up a hill with three legs and comes down with four?” The professor spent an hour pondering but had no answer. Frustrated, he finally gave up and paid $50. “Okay, what’s the answer?”

The man said, “I don’t know,” handed over $5 and went back to sleep.

There’s a big difference between knowledge and wisdom. Knowledge is about information, but wisdom is about applying our understanding in a way that leads to good outcomes. The professor had extensive knowledge, but his seatmate had wisdom – he knew how to best handle the situation.

“Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do! And whatever else you do, develop good judgment.” (Proverbs 3:7 NLT). Knowledge fills our minds with facts, but wisdom teaches us how to use those facts properly. A person can be highly educated yet still make foolish decisions, while someone else may have little formal schooling but walk in wisdom because they seek God’s guidance.

True wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord. It’s not about outsmarting others but about living rightly before God. James 1:5 encourages us, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” (NKJV) When we seek God’s wisdom, He provides discernment that is far more important than mere head knowledge.

So, the next time you’re faced with a decision, remember this: knowledge can tell you what’s possible, but wisdom will show you what’s best. Ask God for the wisdom to make good choices, and He will give it to you.

Prayer: Lord, help me not to rely on my own understanding alone. Help me to seek your wisdom in all things so that I can make decisions that will honor you. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Alan Smith
Reprinted with permission from Alan Smith’s Thought For the Day