Wisdom Reserved for the Righteous

How Behavior Invites Reward

“All Alive” painting by Myra Alibrando

---

The stem cell that became you is neither science fiction nor fantasy. Play the 99-second nature narration before reading the short article. You won’t regret it.

He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk in integrity, Proverbs 2:7

Put to Music to Own It

The verse above, I put to music many years ago so I would not let it go. I wanted to not only remember it, but plant it into my life. “He stores up wisdom for the upright” and “He is a shield to those who walk in integrity”.

Singing songs again and again is a type of meditation. I am a big fan of singing scripture because you are repeating a truth that goes deeper and deeper into your subconscious. 

Why Would God Withhold Wisdom?

So, I put the question to you, why would God reserve wisdom for the upright(righteous)?

Doesn't everyone need wisdom? Would God withhold wisdom from the unrighteous?

I believe there are layers of answers to these questions, but at the beginning, middle and end of God's reasons - is love.

Those with light but disobedience are in worse trouble than those with little light.

To whom much is given much is required. Luke 12:48

Satan was Light and Wisdom

Satan did not live up to the truth he saw. Having seen the face and glory of God with his own eyes, he preferred himself be god. Satan rejected great knowledge and therefore is greatly condemned.

Solomon Was Wiser than David but Lost Integrity

How can a man less wise do better than a wiser man? Integrity.

Solomon had much greater wisdom than David because all the lessons of a lifetime David gained was given to Solomon as a starting point. Yet, in all of Solomon's wisdom, he did not end well. Solomon caused his own ruin, and he ruined his nation's greatness by abandoning God's advice. Solomon’s great gift of wisdom was swallowed up by his unfaithful character.

Rewarding Obedience

However, to a man of integrity living up to the light he has; God will give more wisdom, more understanding, more insights, more of Himself. These things are reserved for the righteous. 

The fear of the Lord is the real beginning of wisdom, the Bible says this in so many different ways repeatedly.

To the Evil, Real Justice is Unfair

Here then is a verse to spark your imagination:

Evil people do not understand justice, but those who seek the LORD understand everything. Proverbs 28:5

I am not contradicting the Bible when I admit, I hardly understand everything, but I think the writer is saying that I can truly understand God’s justice versus the wicked who can never understand it, because justice is based on values.

When I was in my twenties, many of God's values seemed harsh and even wrong. Eventually, I came to see the wisdom of God protecting people, I think because I kept seeking God for decades, and my own values changed.

What Does Wisdom Look Like on You?

Wisdom is worth pursuing. Aren't you curious to know what is really true? What is really valuable? Don't you wish to experience what God may have available to you if you seek wisdom and understanding?

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. James 1:5

Here is an insight: if you seek knowing wisdom without obedience, God will absolutely limit your wisdom, because wisdom is mostly for the righteous.

Sometimes, wisdom is unachievable without obedience.

Personal Story

At barely 17, I ran away from home. Later I quit school. I became a Christian at 18, graduated an 11-month missionary school and returned home at the age of 20. It became clear to me that instead of obeying my father I should be submitting to him. My understanding was that submission is different than obedience. Submission is taking the initiative of doing what I knew my father wanted me to do instead of avoiding him and only doing what he told me to do. Sadly, in America, pretty normal behavior.

While discussing this with my spiritual mentor, I told him

"If I do everything I know my dad wants me to do, I won't have a life!"

He responded,

"I thought you already gave up your life for Jesus?"

Ughhh. I hated that, but it pierced me to the heart. So, I began doing it for Jesus. It was simply doing all kinds of things around the house and in the yard that any good son would have been doing all his life that I never did before. I was also offering to babysit on weekends, New Year's Eve, and so on.

We Did Not Trust Each Other

My father and stepmother were suspicious about what I was up to, because it was so unlike me. After a few months, it appeared that I wasn't going to stop. Then, something I did not foresee happened; my dad encouraged me to go out. My dad began to tell me things I did not need to do. I began to realize for the first time, I was giving my dad the opportunity to be generous because I wasn’t fighting him to do what he wanted me to do. 

For the first time in my life, I could see my dad’s love for me, because before then, I thought he just wanted to use me. My new behavior unlocked all these wonderful things, including a greater trust in God caring for me.

Me Obey?

It was a big spotlight on God's wisdom and something brand new: God didn't convince me through reasoning this time. I did not think submitting to my dad was a good idea, but I was certain I needed to obey God. That was huge. God’s wisdom only became visible . . . AFTER my obedience.

I did not know I was planting good seeds. I did not expect any benefit, yet fruit appeared months later. A good relationship with my dad began then and lasted until his passing 40 years later.

When pride comes, disgrace follows, but with humility comes wisdom. Proverbs 11:2

Wisdom is Worth Pursuing

Wisdom is worth the work because God’s desire is to give you a life of fruitfulness. Don’t waste your life trying to make God into the image of your immovable ideas. Let God show you what you still don’t know and cannot see until you become clay and obey. Be curious enough to learn how obedience will allow wisdom to multiply in your life.

He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk in integrity, Proverbs 2:7

Have new light in your life this week.

---