Wisdom Revisited

While I’m recuperating from a medical procedure, here are some thoughts I posted on my office door many years ago. This is an edited version.

The “Wisdom” of the World contrasted with Christ’s Wisdom:

Never apologize. Saying “I’m sorry” is a sign of weakness.

“First, be reconciled with your brother.” It takes strength to admit you are wrong, and more strength to ask for forgiveness.

Nothing is ever your fault. If anything goes wrong in your life, it must be someone else’s fault.

“The rain falls on the just and the unjust.” Accept responsibility for what you think, say, and do. Avoid the “blame game.”

Finding fault with others makes you feel better about your choices and helps you fit in.

“Why do you point out the speck in your neighbor’s eye, but ignore the plank in your own?” It’s easy to find fault with others and tell them how to live. The challenge is to improve yourself, no matter what others might think, say, or do.

Look out for “number one.”

“Love your neighbor as yourself.” “Do unto others as you would have others do unto you.” No further explanation needed.

Whoever dies with the most toys wins.

“Don’t lay up treasures for yourself on earth where moth and rust destroy and thieves break in and steal, but lay up treasures in heaven – where your treasure is, your heart will be also.” Again, no further explanation needed.

Do what feels good – seek pleasure and avoid pain.

“He who knows the right thing to do, but does not do it, is guilty of real sin.” Do the right thing, even if it is difficult or painful.

If you are rich, famous, talented, intelligent, or beautiful, the rules don’t apply to you.

“From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.” All good gifts come from God. If you have been given more than others, this does not mean you are above the rules. Use your gifts to benefit others.

It’s okay to break a commitment if something better comes along.

Let your “yes” be a plain “yes,” and your “no” be a plain “no.” It is important to keep your promises, even if you don’t feel like it.

The ends justify the means.

“Only evil can come from evil.” The means are as important as the ends. Destruction and death often lead to more destruction and death. Find a better way.

There are no moral standards besides what works for me in the moment.

“I am the way, the truth, and the life.” Right and wrong exist, no matter what some might want to think. Wise people from all cultures and religions have expressed clear ideas about the difference between right and wrong. The path is available to all. Following it reveals the truth. It results in a life that leads to God, or if you prefer, a life that benefits others as well as ourselves.

One of my “go to” mealtime prayers is something like this: “Lord, we thank you for this food and for the opportunity to share it with family and friends. May we use its nourishment to go out and do some good in the world.” My father-in-law used to conclude, “Bless this food to the good of our bodies and us to thy service.” The hope is the same. So is the wisdom.