Wisdom, Social Justice & the Future

An important attribute of wisdom is that it attunes our ear to the cry of the needy.

You aren't yet a wise person if you don't do these two things. First, you must have an ear for wise reproof (Prov 15:31-33). We could speak about this for a while, but today I'm more interested in the next part.

Second, you must have an ear open to those who are really in need (Prov 24:10-12). If you turn a deaf ear to those who are struggling, you will get no help when you need it (Prov 21:13). This assumes growth in your ability to discern between real needs that truly require your attention and the so-called "needs" of those who should stop being a mooch.

Wise individuals are those who correctly hear the needs of others and act upon what they hear.

By contrast, fools are self-centered and unable to hear the voice of others. Some foolish people "serve" others, but they do so in self-serving and self-promoting ways. Other foolish individuals pretend to understand the needs of others, but they in actuality are only able to interpret others' struggles through the lens of their own. The cry of the needy they distort as an opportunity to soothe their own needy souls.

When godly wisdom begins to build true character within us, we learn to hear others calling out in their pain and need. And we attend to them—not out of selfish, egocentric or manipulative impulses—but out of a real sense of who God is and what God calls us to be & do.

When we allow wisdom to shape us and to open our ears to the genuine needs of others, we gain more than just a sense of accomplishment or a pat on the back. We gain hope for the future. Wisdom builds something within us. It is like honey that nourishes us and strengthens our very being.

"If you find wisdom," says the wise teacher, "you will find a future, and your hope will not be cut off." Wisdom creates hope because it leads us to partner with the Master's work.

The work of the wise, therefore, is to somehow be engaged in social justice in your life and in your community. Those who are wise must be building a more equitable, harmonious and just world. The wise person can't say, "One day, God will make things right, but for now I can just go on acting unjustly and violently toward others." No! Becoming wise means that you learn to listen and act here and now by helping those who are truly needy, thereby turning them into honorable members of your community.

Do you really want to be wise? If so, lend an ear to the real problems and needs of the world around you. It might not cheer you up, but it will nudge you closer toward wisdom. And that wisdom will put you to work to build a future worth hoping for.