Consider the Cost
Today’s title is wise counsel for anyone building a building, starting a business, planning a wedding, buying a home, or making a cross-country move. There are also student loans, auto maintenance, utility and insurance bills. Don’t forget the subtle ones; wrong decisions, wrong materials on a job, and I could go on. There are so many details that can get lost in our enthusiasm and excitement over the decision, that the crack into which they fall can fill quickly. You’ve heard the old saw, “Failure to plan is planning to fail.” That’s why management consultants thrive by helping their clients make wise decisions.
The Bible tells us
that Solomon was the wisest man who ever lived (1 Kings 4:29-34). He wrote most of the book of Proverbs. Consider two of his plums: “A wise man will hear and increase in learning. And a man of understanding will acquire wise counsel (Prov. 1:5).” And, “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man is he who listens to counsel (Prov. 12:15).” Solomon was given an abundance of wisdom because when he had the choice, he asked for wisdom, not riches.
We’re told in James
that if you lack wisdom, just ask God, who gives it generously. If that’s true, why are there so many fools running around? The answer is simple but sad. The Bible says, “The fool has said in his heart ‘There is no God’” (Ps. 14:1). So they go about thinking how wise they are, not realizing their wisdom is from the father of lies and will only lead to sin, heartache, and death. The key to unlock God’s generosity in giving us His wisdom is to ask, “in faith without any doubting” (James 1:6). This faith is in Jesus Christ who died in our place so we could have access to His Father.
Full disclosure,
just because we attain God’s wisdom, doesn’t mean we’ll live a trouble-free life. “The rain falls on the righteous and the unrighteous”(Matt5:45). We are called to be followers of Jesus. And there is a cost for this commitment to “take up our cross daily” (Luke 9:23). In business, there is what’s known as the cost/benefit ratio. “Is it worth it?” is a question business owners ask before spending on literally anything. In the Christian life, the answer is emphatically YES.