The Value of Wisdom

When David was chosen by God to be Israel’s king, he was not the obvious pick. The prophet Samuel was sent to the family of Jesse. At first glance, Samuel thought God would want Jesse’s oldest son, Eliab. Samuel said, “Surely the Lord’s anointed stands here before the Lord” (1 Sam. 16:6). But God did not. “The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (Sam. 16:6–7).

In today’s passage, Paul says, “Think of what you were when you were called” (v. 26). Most of us were probably not notable according to the world’s standards. We were not born into wealthy families. We might not claim a huge social following or have achieved multiple degrees that mark our intelligence.

But God does not choose His children because of their outward appearance or status: “God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise” (v. 27). What does this have to do with the gift of wisdom? Paul is reminding us that God’s wisdom and His way of thinking do not align with our own. What the world admires is not the same as what God holds valuable.

In our connection to Christ, being made new, we have been given access to His divine wisdom. Through Christ, we are made right with God and set apart. We are holy!

If we are to boast of anything in this world, we are not to boast of our wealth, degrees, or popularity. Our value is based solely on our connection to Jesus. In Christ, we are chosen and given wisdom, confidence, and a certain future.

Pray with Us

As you pray today, thank God for the work of Bruce Everhart, VP of Donor Development and Channel Strategy at Moody. We are grateful for his skill in caring for friends who financially support Moody and for effectively managing his team.

BY Jamie Janosz

Jamie Janosz serves as a content development manager for Moody Bible Institute. She writes monthly devotionals for Today in the Word and has published non-fiction essays with Christianity Today’s Her.meneutics blog. Recently Jamie wrote a book titled When Others Shuddered: Eight Women Who Refused to Give Up (Moody Publishers). Jamie studied theology and writing at Moody Bible Institute, Columbia College, and Illinois State University. She lives on the Atlantic coast of Florida with her husband, Milt, and daughter, Sabrina.