The Wisdom of Learning

Knowledge and wisdom are connected, but they are not the same things. You might say that knowledge is having familiarity with information through study, training, or experience. Knowledge can include facts but also skills. A person knowledgeable in history can explain the causes and instigating events that led to the first World War, while someone who knows how to fish can tell you what bait to use to catch certain fish and what time of day is best. Some people are book smart, they learn by reading. (I count myself among those. If I want to learn something, I buy a book.) Other people can observe someone else performing a task just one time, and can then do it themselves. This includes those who learn from watching Youtube videos. And then there are those who learn by doing, from experience. 

Knowledge is having a working familiarity with information. Wisdom is having the ability to employ what you know to benefit yourself and others. It’s not enough to know lots of stuff if you don’t know how to use it! It is quite possible to be highly intelligent and a fool. It is also true that someone can be wise with little knowledge, but this is because they are able to make use of what they do know.

With all this in mind, Scripture tells us that it is wise to grow in knowledge.

Proverbs 10:14 – “The wise lay up knowledge, but the mouth of a fool brings ruin near.” 

To ‘lay up knowledge’ means to store it, to grow your knowledge base. In short, it is wise to be a lifelong learner. It means you keep growing in skills as long as you are able. Your formal education may have ended after high school, college, or trade school, but your informal education continues for life.

Five quick reasons to keep learning:

1. God is glorified when we learn. God made his world full of mysteries and wonders to uncover with the invitation to seek things out. “It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out.” (Prov 25:2) 
2. It is a joy to discover new things. Learning doesn’t have to be a chore. Investigate things that interest you or skills that are necessary for you.
3. Knowledge is a tool for wisdom. The things you learn make us better equipped to live wisely in the world. You may not use it all, but the sum of your knowledge is like a toolbox that you can draw from. Build a big toolbox.
4. Knowledge makes life easier. Those who know carpentry know how to properly frame and what mistakes to avoid. Those who understand history often learn what ideas have and haven’t worked in the past. Knowledge can guard us from doing things the wrong way. It can also save money. Why pay someone to do something when you can learn the skills to do it yourself for cheaper?
5. It provides an opportunity for gospel ministry. God may use your skills to serve your unbelieving neighbor or on the mission field. He may use your love of music, fantasy novels, anime, woodworking, crocheting, political thought, golf, painting, or baking as a means to make a relational connection with an unbeliever that leads to evangelism. It has often been that way with me. 

The wise store up knowledge and know how to use it to glorify God, benefit themselves, and bless others. Do you need some inspiration on where to start? Try learning how to…

• Memorize Scripture. Verses, passages, even whole books of the Bible. I suggest learning the Ten Commandments in order (See Ex. 20, Deut. 5).
• The books of the Bible in order (even the minor prophets!).
• Read a good book, including fiction.
• Drive a manual transmission car.
• Write in cursive.
• Speak a foreign language.
• Change the oil in a car.
• Remove a flat tire and put on a spare.
• Braid strands of rope/hair/cordage.
• Build a campfire without using an accelerant (like gas or lighter fluid).
• Find a stud in a wall and hang a picture. 
• Hang something without using a stud.
• Parallel park.
• Tell a good story or deliver a good joke (there is skill involved in both).
• Perform CPR. Do basic first aid. Treat burns, cuts, and scrapes.
• Grill with charcoal or over an open fire.
• Change a diaper.
• Sharpen a dull knife or bladed tool.
• Sew a button.
• How to remove stains from clothing, carpeting, furniture, etc. 
• How to handle and shoot a firearm safely.
• Knit or crochet clothing (sweaters, hats, gloves, socks, or even blankets)
• Give a 5 minute speech or teach a 30-minute Bible lesson.
• Iron your clothes.
• Tie a tie.
• Cook eggs in a few ways. Cook a steak.
• Set a personal budget and stick to it.
• Bake a signature dessert.
• Shuffle a deck of cards (including the bridge).
• Play a musical instrument.
• Write a thank you note or formal letter.
• Study a period of history or a major historical event. Read several books on the subject.

Proverbs 18:15 – “An intelligent heart acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.”