Cost of Wisdom
Ecclesiastes is a book categorized as “Wisdom Literature”. These are books of the Bible that reveal the way of this world. Rather than tell us how things ought to be done, they record how things are done.
It may seem contradictory, then, when the author of this book of wisdom records the following verse:
For in much wisdom is much vexation, and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.
Ecclesiastes 1:18
In Proverbs, we are repeatedly encouraged to seek wisdom. Yet here, we see that wisdom leads to vexation and sorrow!
We may wish to deny that wisdom can have that effect but, if we’re honest, everyone has found this to be true. As the saying goes “ignorance is bliss”. There are many terrible things in this sin touched world that it was easier before we found out about them.
Avoid Suffering?
We don’t normally go seeking suffering. Nobody goes out of their way to be sad. Does that mean we should try, with all our might, to remain ignorant? If our highest goal is to lead a life of leisure, that probably is the way to go about it.
In fact, many people today go about it in just that way. They deny the reality of the horrors of our times. They chalk sex trafficking up to a conspiracy theory and write the brutality of abortion off as exaggerations of pro-life activists. They desperately try to believe that with the right economic model and technological advancement we will eventually produce a world where everyone has all they need regardless of the amount of work anyone puts into producing it (undoing the curse of Genesis 3:19).
In Ecclesiastes, the author is recording his experience of things done “under the sun”. It’s a record of what happens in this world when there is no higher view than the immediate. With that perspective, wisdom is essentially a curse. It is far easier to believe lies. The wisdom of this world is to lie, even to oneself, if that’s what it takes to “get ahead”.
Value of Wisdom
Why, then, does God encourage us to seek wisdom? Because there is more to life than things done under the sun. We are called not just to seek a life of ease and comfort, but a life under God. He doesn’t command us to a life of luxury but of service.
If we desire to serve God, we must do so in truth. We cannot simply ignore the truth because it is inconvenient and often painful. We must confront the reality of human nature (that it is unfathomably sinful), of God (his justice means judgement), of salvation (that it can be found in no name but Jesus), and all of the other truths the world tries so desperately to suppress.
That’s not to say that, for believers, wisdom doesn’t have a cost. Often, the depravity of this world is difficult to accept. It’s just that the cost will always be worth it in service to the higher calling we have in Christ. About wisdom, Proverbs says this:
Prize her highly, and she will exalt you; she will honor you if you embrace her.
Proverbs 4:8
There is a great cost to knowing the truth but it has even greater value.
Simply Ask
Becoming wise may seem like a difficult thing. A person could spend a lifetime reading opinions on topics and still not be exposed to all that is called “knowledge” in this life. However, it is actually much more simple than that.
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.
James 1:5
Place your faith in God and you will not be tossed around by every wind of doctrine, wasting time believing the lies created to avoid to truth. Instead, seeking wisdom in him is a quick path to gaining understanding.
It will still lead to a lifetime of study but that time will no longer be wasted on deceptive opinions. Humbly asking God is better than arrogantly seeking knowledge in our own understand. Further, it gives us a reason to believe the truth when it is found.
Without God, it is impossible for a man to be truly wise, because the cost is too great and the reward unseen.
The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds; there is none who does good.
Psalm 14:1
God has called us out of comfortable ignorance into meaningful wisdom.
