Our text for today is:Proverbs 3:13-15
Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding, for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold. She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her.
Give me the choice between wisdom and knowledge and I will choose wisdom. The following story will illustrate the need for wisdom.
I once read the story of a man from the department of the interior who was sent out to inspect the water resources for all the ranches in his territory. He stopped at a Texas ranch and talked to an old rancher. “I need to inspect your ranch for your water allocation.” The rancher told him, “Well, that will be fine, but just don’t go into that field over there.”
The government man said, “Mister, I have the authority of the government with me.” He took out his wallet and flashed a badge at him. “See this badge,” he said. “This badge means I can go wherever I want to go! No questions asked or answered.” He paused and then said, “Have I made myself clear? Do you understand?”
The old rancher nodded politely and went about his chores. Later the old rancher heard loud screams and saw the government man running for his life. Close behind him was the rancher’s bull. The bull was gaining ground with every step.
The government man was clearly terrified so the old rancher threw down his tools, ran to the fence and yelled at the top of his lungs, “Your badge! Show him your badge.”
The moral to this story is “just because you can do something does not mean that it is the right thing to do.”
Make your own list. There are lots of things you can do, but it will not always be wise to do so. It was not wise for the government agent to go out into that field, but he could. There is a difference between the ability to do something and the wisdom not to do it.
~Lonnie Davis