By Larry W. King
Volume II, Number XXVIII
October 22, 2009
Abundant Knowledge
“To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given, and they will have an abundance of knowledge. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them.” – Matthew 13:12 (New Living Translation)
Today’s text is an excerpt from Jesus’ reply to the disciples who’d asked Him why He’d spoken to the masses in parables. Our Lord’s response was an elaboration upon what He’d told the multitudes in the historic sermon on the mount: “Don’t waste what is holy on people who are unholy. Don’t throw your pearls to pigs! They will trample the pearls, then turn and attack you” – Matthew 7:6 (NLT).
In other words, not everybody can accept the Holy Scripture. Moreover, there are those who don’t want to hear it, and even those who will attack YOU for attempting to give it to them. In short, anyone who follows the way of the cross must always exercise sound judgment. We must employ the gift of discernment and teach only those who are genuinely willing and ready for Spiritual enlightenment or revelation. Those who hunger for the Word will not only hear but understand, and your efforts will bear much fruit.
Wisdom, the proper and judicious application of knowledge, is one of the believer’s greatest assets. Webster’s New World Dictionary publishes the principal definition of wisdom as “the quality of being wise; power of judging rightly and following the soundest course of action, based on knowledge, experience, understanding, etc.; good judgment; sagacity.”
My dear late mother, Mrs. Imogene King, often advised me, “ … son, submit EVERYTHING you say to three questions: Is it true? Is it necessary? Is it kind?”
As I’ve grown older, I’ve come to recognize just how much wisdom she enveloped in that brief but sage advice. My experience is, it’s easy to say, but extremely hard to do. Most of us can get past the first question. Certainly, if you’re lying, then you’re already on shaky moral ground – not good. But many of us fail the second test. Because, if what you’re about to say is true but unnecessary, then watch out - it just might be gossip, that insidious assassin of reputations and friendships! And the third question is the toughest. If it’s true and necessary but unkind, then we Christians must mentally rethink and find a more loving way of expressing that requisite truth. Surely not easy for yours truly, as I am a graduate student in the “ready, FIRE, aim” school of verbal marksmanship! ;>) To underscore the point, in James’ epistle we find these cogent words, “… if any one makes no mistakes in what he says, he is a perfect man …” – James 3:2b (RSV).
Perhaps Solomon expressed it best: “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding” – Proverbs 4:7 (KJV). Wisdom, of course, first depends upon the intentional pursuit and acquisition of knowledge. But it’s more than pure intelligence or scholarship. It requires reasoning. Wisdom refracts the white light of knowledge through the transforming prism of experience, to yield brilliant multi-hued prudence. As such, it is surpassed only by selfless love and humble integrity in the hierarchy of Christian virtues. Doubtless, it is a critical component of righteous character.
As the ultimate source of Spiritual knowledge, the Bible is an unfathomably depthless ocean, an unparalleled treasure trove, an unsurpassed mother lode of priceless, pure, pragmatic platinum. Therefore, for believers Bible study is essential. It’s not optional, elective or preferable. It’s mandatory. Bible study supplies the knowledge upon which wisdom is built. Wisdom combined with character produces vision. Hear the shining insight of Solomon: “Where there is no vision [no redemptive revelation of God], the people perish …” – Proverbs 29:18a (AMP).
Without vision – God’s redeeming revelation, given to us directly through His Word and Sacraments – we perish. For lack of knowledge, wisdom and vision, originating only in diligent study of the Bible, we DIE – first Spiritually, then physically. Conversely, the life-sustaining blood of every believer’s Spiritual walk is our understanding of the Scripture. The Psalmist boldly sings: “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes” – Psalm 119:11-12 (KJV).
In sum, abundant life depends upon abundant knowledge. May both be yours now, henceforth and forever!
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Larry W. King is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (Magna cum Laude) and heads the Denver-based music group, Kingdom Kru. He serves as Minister of Music at Faith Community Baptist Church under the leadership of co-pastors Rev. Douglas and Katherine Farley.
