What is the value of knowledge without wisdom? Ecclesiastes calls us to seek wisdom not just knowledge alone. We live in a world full of knowledge, which we have access to like never before. This vast knowledge seems to be making us less rational and more open to ridiculous ideas about God, people, and the World. John Calvin wisely said: “Nearly all the wisdom we possess, that is to say, true and sound wisdom, consists of two parts: the knowledge of God and of ourselves.” Therefore, without knowledge of God, there is no true knowledge of ourselves. Both are mutually connected with one preceding the other.
God’s word calls people to seek knowledge but also wisdom but where do we begin? Do we start with Google? Or looking inwardly to the self? No, rather wisdom is found from seeking the Lord, and the beginning of wisdom is the fear of the Lord (Prvb 1:7; 4:7).
For many years I struggled in school and early life not being able to learn and grow in knowledge, however, when I met the Lord, He revealed this truth in his Word. This truth was knowledge without wisdom is not insight and that only a knowledge of God brings us to understanding a higher perspective for life in view of Eternity. Get wisdom God says for fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Why is this important for us at CPC today? Whether we are kids, youth, or adults, regardless of age, we can never outgrow the wisdom of God. Knowledge and Facts are useful for many things but true wisdom and understanding comes from the Lord and is able to make us wise for life to the end. It gives us vision when vision can be lost, it gives us light when things are dark, and the message of the Cross according to Paul is the ultimate demonstration of God’s power and wisdom displayed to us (1 Cor 1:18-30).
In considering our calling from God, not many of us were wise by human standards, and not many of us were nobility. How should this shape faith, life, and practice? As one church under Christ our Chief Shepherd we are called to work together in our purposes for His Kingdom by exercising wisdom and insight when we use the gifts and resources God has blessed us with. So whether it is in ministries on Sundays, showing hospitality, or relationships, we are to walk together for the Glory of God.
如果没有智慧，知識的價值何在？《傳道書》呼籲我們要尋求智慧，不要單僅求知識。我們現在生活在一個知識充裕的世界中，那是我們以前從沒有接觸到的。然而，這種廣泛的知識似乎使我們變得不那麼理性，且更容易去接受那些關乎神、人與世界的荒謬觀念。約翰·加爾文明智地指出：“幾乎所有我們擁有智慧，也就是那些真正的和可靠的智慧，是分為两部分：對神和對我們自己的認識。”這種廣泛的知識似乎使我們變得不那麼理性，且更容易去接受那些關乎神、人與世界的荒謬觀念。約翰·加爾文明智地指出：“幾乎所有我們所擁有的智慧，也就是那些真正的和可靠的智慧，是分為两部分：對神的認識和對我們自己的認識。” 因此，如果沒有認識神，我們就無法真正了解自己，兩者是相互關聯的，一個連予另一個。神的話語呼喚人尋求知識，更當尋求智慧，但我們從哪里開始呢？我們是從＂谷歌＂(網絡)開始嗎，還是從自我裡尋找呢？不對，智慧在予尋求主，智慧是始於對主的敬畏（箴言 1:7；4:7）。
多年來，我在學校和早期生活中挣扎，無法學習和增加(真正的)知識。然而，當我遇見主時，神在祂的聖言中揭示了這個真理。若没有智慧的知識不能帶給人對生命有甚麼洞察，這真理是只在認識神時才能使我們從永恒的角度理解人生。要尋求智慧，神指出愚頑人藐視智慧和訓誨。
今天這真理對我們雪梨華人長老會為何重要？無論我們是孩子、青年還是成年人，無論年年齡多大，我們都無法超越神的智慧。知識和實質上的事實在許多方面都很有用，但真正的智慧和理解來自上主，並且能够使我們終身有益。當視野模糊時、它能帶給我們導向，當事情處於黑暗時、它能給予我們光明，而保羅所說的十字架的道理就是最終向我們所啟示的：神的大能和智慧（哥林多前書 1:18-30）。
在思考我們來自神的呼召時，我們當中的許多人並不符合人的智慧標準，也沒有貴族身份背景。這應如何塑造我們的信仰、生活和實踐呢？作為一個由基督、我們的大牧人所建立的教會，我們被召唤在祂的國度中，通過智慧和洞察力運用神賜予我們的恩惠和資源，彼此共同建立。無論是在週日的事工中、展現熱情款待、還是在關係建立中，我們都應一起同行，榮耀神。
